Faculty to lead virtual discussions in advance of presidential/vice presidential debates

Students will be able to sharpen their understanding of the highly anticipated 2020 presidential and vice presidential debates through a series of pre-debate virtual roundtable discussions, conducted by Fredonia faculty, to be held one hour prior to the broadcast of each of the four scheduled debates.

“Role of Verbal & Nonverbal Communication in Presidential Debates,” on Tuesday, Sept. 29, will be presented by Assistant Professor Angela McGowan-Kirsch and Assistant Professor Amanda Lohiser, both of the Department of Communication.

“Vice Presidency, the Electoral College and other Constitutional Stupidities,” on Wednesday, Oct. 7, will be examined by Department of Politics and International Affairs Associate Professor Jonathan Chausovsky, Fredonia Democracy Initiative President Tom Sheffield and students from HONR 303: Election of 2020.

“The Russian Challenge to American Democracy: Constitutionalism and Hardball Politics,” on Thursday, Oct. 15, will feature Department of History Professor John Staples and Dr. Chausovsky.

“Media and Presidential Debates,” on Thursday, Oct. 22, will be presented by Associate Professor Mike Igoe and Associate Professor Elmer Ploetz, both of the Department of Communication.

Pre-debate discussions, hosted by the American Democracy Project, are scheduled to be held from 8 to 9 p.m., just prior to each debate.

Registration is required for the virtual sessions. Zoom log-in information will be provided after the registration process is completed, and reminder emails with Zoom log-in information will also be sent prior to each event.

Students may also submit questions for discussion, either upon registration or during an actual Zoom discussion.

Every time students attend an ADP election-themed event this fall they will be entered in a drawing for $50 or $100 in funding for a student group of their choice.

To register to vote, for early voting, or absentee voting, check out ADP’s website.