Lecture: Will the 2008 Presidential Election Change Politics?
This lecture will be presented by UMass Amherst political science professor Ray La Raja. This is the first annual UMass Amherst Distinguished Speakers Series, sponsored by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Recent decades have been characterized by partisan polarization, gridlock and the "culture wars." But presidential candidates McCain and Obama tout their credentials as agents of change and bipartisanship. What can we expect if either of them get elected to the White House? To what extent will they unify the nation and break the logjam in the nation's politics?
Professor La Raja is an expert in American politics and campaign finance and reform measures. His book Money Rules: Origins and Consequences of Campaign Finance Reform, recently published by the University of Michigan Press, has received much attention. La Raja received the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Teaching Award for 2005-06 and has been nominated three times for the Distinguished Teaching Award, the highest honor given by UMass Amherst to faculty.
The UMass Amherst Distinguished Speakers Series, managed by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, highlights the College's latest faculty accomplishments in various fields of study. It has been made possible by an endowment established by Robert C. Cole, Jr. '59 (psychology) and Margaret A. Cole. He retired in 2000 as the CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Delaware.
Space is limited, so reserve your seat before October 13.
