SOU class to host candidate forum for local political races

(Ashland, Ore.) - Political Science students in Southern Oregon University's upper division course on political campaigns will partner with SOU's Office of Government Affairs to host a forum for candidates in all contested races for the Ashland City Council and the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.

The forum, which is free and open to the public, will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the Rogue River Room of SOU's Stevenson Union. Light refreshments will be served.

Questions for the candidates have been generated by students in the political science class, through research on key issues in the community. The goal of the event is to help educate members of the southern Oregon community about issues and areas of civic life that may impact the region in general or local residents individually.

Students in the class hope to give the candidates in local races an opportunity to discuss their positions and explain how they intend to support a good quality of life in Ashland and Jackson County.

"Political Campaigns" (Political Science 324) is a four-credit course that introduces students to modern American elections and the complex processes that influence them. The hybrid in-person and online course, taught by SOU General Counsel Rob Patridge, examines the basic techniques of organizing and implementing a political campaign. It explores the relationships between candidates and the media, the psychology of political oratory, campaign finance, grassroots organizing and use of the Internet.

For more information on the course or on the Oct. 16 candidates forum, contact Patridge at [email protected]

-SOU-