OSU Social Science Seminar Series to Focus on Campaign Communications

Thursday, March 4, 2010

By Joseph Dunn

(March 4, 2010, STILLWATER, Okla.) – It’s no surprise. Political candidates today are going where the people are – on the Internet.

But what campaign analyst James Druckman really wants to know is if these congressional candidates are using their campaign websites strategically. On March 9, he will deliver a lecture on “Campaign Communications in U.S. Congressional Elections” starting at 7 p.m. in Room 035 of Murray Hall at Oklahoma State University.

Druckman, a political science professor and Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University, is one of several visiting lecturers this spring. His talk is part of the Social Science Seminar Series sponsored by the OSU College of Arts & Sciences. All lectures are free and open to the public.

“Professor Druckman has distinguished himself as a scholar and has also earned a reputation as an excellent teacher with outstanding dedication to students,” said Eve Ringsmuth, an assistant professor in political science at OSU. “His visit presents an exciting opportunity for students, faculty and members of the public to interact with a high-profile scholar.”

Part of Druckman’s lecture will focus on strategies used by incumbents vs. those used by challengers in congressional races throughout the country.

Druckman’s research focuses on political preference formation and communication, as well as campaign and media strategy. In an era of information overload, he also studies how voters make political, social and economic decisions.

To learn more, phone (405) 744-7586 or e-mail eve.ringsmuth@okstate.edu. The social sciences are comprised of communication sciences and disorders, geography, journalism and broadcasting, political science, psychology and sociology, all departments in the College of Arts & Sciences at OSU. Visit http://cas.okstate.edu.