POL 68 H — Election 2024: Democracy on the Ballot
Quarter: Fall
Instructor(s): James Steyer
Date(s): Sep 30—Nov 18
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Mondays
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 5:30—7:00 pm (PT)
Please Note: The course will meet on 7 Mondays and 1 Sunday: September 30, October 6 (Sunday), October 14, October 21, October 28, November 4, November 11, and November 18, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm (PT).
Tuition: $425
Refund Deadline: Oct 2
Unit(s): 1
Enrollment Limit: 275
Status: Closed
Quarter: Fall
Day: Mondays
Duration: 8 weeks
Time: 5:30—7:00 pm (PT)
Date(s): Sep 30—Nov 18
Unit(s): 1
Tuition: $425
Refund Deadline: Oct 2
Instructor(s): James Steyer
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Enrollment Limit: 275
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Closed
Please Note: The course will meet on 7 Mondays and 1 Sunday: September 30, October 6 (Sunday), October 14, October 21, October 28, November 4, November 11, and November 18, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm (PT).
This course is offered both on-campus (Section H) and online (Section Z). At present, the on-campus Section H is fully booked. If you wish to attend the course on campus, please add your name to the wait list by clicking the "Join wait list" button above. However, we recommend registering for the online-only Section Z as a backup. We will notify you if a spot becomes available in the on-campus section. Please note: On-campus students will also receive the Zoom link.
Join us this fall for an extraordinary journey into the heart of American democracy as we explore critical issues facing our nation in the run-up to the 2024 US elections, the most consequential American elections—for our country and the world—in our lifetime. This captivating speaker series will feature some of America's most prominent leaders in politics, business, foreign policy, academia, and the media. We'll hear from a range of political leaders and policymakers who will dissect the far-reaching implications of these pivotal elections and share their perspectives on emerging issues and challenges, such as:
Guest speakers include:
Hillary Clinton, Former US Secretary of State (Obama Administration) and Former US Senator from New York
John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics
Pamela Karlan, Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law and Co-Director, Supreme Court Litigation Clinic, Stanford Law School
Neal Katyal, Former US Principal Deputy Solicitor General (Obama Administration)
David Kennedy, Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History, Emeritus, and Founding Faculty Director, Bill Lane Center for the American West, Stanford
Sal Khan, Founder of Khan Academy
Nicholas Kristof, Journalist and New York Times Op-Ed Columnist
Jonathan Levin, President of Stanford
Ruth Marcus, Journalist at The Washington Post
Michael McFaul, Director, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford
Mark McKinnon, Political Advisor (President George W. Bush, Senator John McCain, Governor Ann Richards), Reform Advocate, Media Columnist, and Television Producer
Jamie Raskin, US Representative for Maryland's Eighth Congressional District
Condoleezza Rice, Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institute, Stanford, and Former US Secretary of State (George W. Bush Administration)
Steve Schmidt, Political Analyst and Republican Campaign Strategist
Kristen Soltis Anderson, Republican Pollster, Commentator, and Writer
Margaret Spellings, Former US Secretary of Education (George W. Bush Administration) and Former President and CEO of Texas 2036
Evan Spiegel, Co-Founder and CEO of Snap
Chris Sununu, Republican Governor of New Hampshire
Kara Swisher, Tech Journalist
Michael Tubbs, Former Mayor of Stockton, California, and Special Advisor for Economic Mobility and Opportunity for California Governor Gavin Newsom
Please note: Speakers are tentative and may be subject to change. The list of speakers will also continue to be updated, with more participants to come.
Join us this fall for an extraordinary journey into the heart of American democracy as we explore critical issues facing our nation in the run-up to the 2024 US elections, the most consequential American elections—for our country and the world—in our lifetime. This captivating speaker series will feature some of America's most prominent leaders in politics, business, foreign policy, academia, and the media. We'll hear from a range of political leaders and policymakers who will dissect the far-reaching implications of these pivotal elections and share their perspectives on emerging issues and challenges, such as:
- Democratic institutions: How can US citizens and politicians on both sides of the political aisle work together to help strengthen our commitment to democracy as well as to global democratic principles and institutions? How can we protect voting rights and legislation that reflect the interests of everyday people over interest groups and highly paid lobbyists?
- Role of tech and AI: How can we harness the enormous power of artificial intelligence while at the same time mitigating its potential for harm? In the age of generative AI, how can we foster truth, accountability, and trust in democratic institutions? How will we balance the interests of free market capitalism and innovation against the clear need for regulation and thoughtful government oversight?
- Global democracy: 2024 is a record year for elections across the globe, with over 2 billion voters expected across the US, Europe, India, and beyond. What global factors will influence our democratic institutions and shape our world order in 2024? How might ongoing conflict in Europe and the Middle East impact elections at home and abroad?
- Children, families, and youth voters: How can we put children and families first in our policies, in our actions, and in our national conscience? Why has this country stopped investing in kids and families despite all-time record support for such investments? How can American politicians do a better job of listening to young people, who increasingly report feeling that their voices and interests are not reflected by elected officials?
Guest speakers include:
Hillary Clinton, Former US Secretary of State (Obama Administration) and Former US Senator from New York
John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics
Pamela Karlan, Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law and Co-Director, Supreme Court Litigation Clinic, Stanford Law School
Neal Katyal, Former US Principal Deputy Solicitor General (Obama Administration)
David Kennedy, Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History, Emeritus, and Founding Faculty Director, Bill Lane Center for the American West, Stanford
Sal Khan, Founder of Khan Academy
Nicholas Kristof, Journalist and New York Times Op-Ed Columnist
Jonathan Levin, President of Stanford
Ruth Marcus, Journalist at The Washington Post
Michael McFaul, Director, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford
Mark McKinnon, Political Advisor (President George W. Bush, Senator John McCain, Governor Ann Richards), Reform Advocate, Media Columnist, and Television Producer
Jamie Raskin, US Representative for Maryland's Eighth Congressional District
Condoleezza Rice, Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institute, Stanford, and Former US Secretary of State (George W. Bush Administration)
Steve Schmidt, Political Analyst and Republican Campaign Strategist
Kristen Soltis Anderson, Republican Pollster, Commentator, and Writer
Margaret Spellings, Former US Secretary of Education (George W. Bush Administration) and Former President and CEO of Texas 2036
Evan Spiegel, Co-Founder and CEO of Snap
Chris Sununu, Republican Governor of New Hampshire
Kara Swisher, Tech Journalist
Michael Tubbs, Former Mayor of Stockton, California, and Special Advisor for Economic Mobility and Opportunity for California Governor Gavin Newsom
Please note: Speakers are tentative and may be subject to change. The list of speakers will also continue to be updated, with more participants to come.
This course is designed for the entire Stanford community, and Continuing Studies students will be joined by Stanford undergraduates and Stanford graduate and professional students. This course may not be taken for a letter grade.
JAMES STEYER
Adjunct Professor, Stanford Graduate School of Education, and Founder and CEO, Common Sense Media
James Steyer is the founder and chief executive officer of Common Sense, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing information and education. For more than 30 years, he has taught a variety of courses on civil rights, civil liberties, and education issues at Stanford, where he is an adjunct professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. He has received many teaching honors, including the Walter J. Gores Award for Excellence in Teaching. He is the author of The Other Parent: The Inside Story of the Media’s Effect on Our Children, Talking Back to Facebook: The Common Sense Guide to Raising Kids in the Digital Age, and Which Side of History? How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives. Steyer received a JD from Stanford Law School. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.