The First Campaign: Covering Presidential Politics in the Internet Age
This course will cover and explore the first presidential campaign of the information age, from the revolution in online fundraising to voter-generated content.

Beginning with a brief overview of technology's role in political history and the technological advances that have transformed the world's playing field in the early 21st Century, this course will cover topics from the Ron Paul blimp to the Obama "Yes We Can" video, as well as introducing students to technologies like Twitter, Second Life, and mobile campaigning. Aimed at aspiring political reporters and junkies, this course will introduce students to the groundbreaking texts and personalities that have ushered in a new era in presidential campaigns.

While primarily domestically focused, this course will include a unit on international politics and the use of technology, as well as e-government, citizen journalism on the campaign trail, and the role of bloggers as watchdogs of democracy. Highlighted skills will include effective online organizing and advocacy as well as online communications from email to blogging. Students will be required to participate in the social web and to read extensively on their own.