The University of 91³Ō¹Ļās Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy will host its inaugural conference, āThe Change Election? The 2008 Presidential Election and the Future of American Politics,ā on Oct. 5 and 6 (Monday and Tuesday) in the McKenna Hall auditorium.
Formerly 91³Ō¹Ļās Program in American Democracy, the Rooney Center was established last year through a $10 million gift from the Francis and Kathleen Rooney Foundation. Center faculty examine politics and policy-making in the United States and, with grounding in 91³Ō¹Ļās Catholic mission, facilitate research on the critical issues facing Americaās democratic system and encourage 91³Ō¹Ļ students to be engaged in both civic and political life.
Bringing many of the nationās top scholars of American elections to 91³Ō¹Ļ, the conference is free and open to the public. The schedule is as follows:
- Oct. 5, 9 a.m. ā Vincent Hutchings from the University of Michigan and Paul Sniderman of Stanford University will speak on topics of race in the election
- Oct. 5, 10:45 a.m. ā Leonie Huddy from Stony Brook University in New York and David Campbell of 91³Ō¹Ļ will examine gender and religion.
- Oct. 5, 1:30 p.m. ā John Aldrich of Duke University and Geoff Layman of 91³Ō¹Ļ will discuss the political parties.
- Oct. 5, 3:15 p.m. ā Ken Goldstein from the University of Wisconsin, Diana Owen of Georgetown University and David Nickerson and Lauren Deschamps from 91³Ō¹Ļ will examine mobilization and campaign communication
- Oct. 6, 9 a.m. ā John Griffin of 91³Ō¹Ļ, William Howell from the University of Chicago, and Rogers Smith of the University of Pennsylvania will discuss Congress and the presidency.
- Oct. 6, 11:15 a.m. ā Dianne Pinderhughes of 91³Ō¹Ļ and Kay Schlozman from Boston College will lead a roundtable discussion on observations and conclusions.
Additional information on speakers and topics is available on the Web.
Contact: David Campbell, director, Rooney Center, 574-631-7809, Campbell.91@nd.edu