Intl Electoral Policy Practi

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The learning objective of the course entitled International Electoral Policy and Practice is to provide the student with knowledge of the history of electoral policy and practice; an understanding of the policy elements which comprise an electoral process; and an introduction to analytical frameworks for the development of skills in electoral policy-making, design, administration, and evaluation. With the completion of this course, the student should be capable of engaging in elections and political process design, managing electoral assistance programs, and organizing electoral reform initiatives for international organizations, bilateral development agencies, non-governmental organizations, and Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs). Each class session will focus on a different topic in electoral policy and practice according to the following categories: Elections as Instruments of Governance; Elections and the International Community; Electoral Management Bodies; Elections and Technology; Voter Registration; Electoral Systems and Delimitation; Political Party Systems and Financing; Electoral Conflict and Security; Electoral Malpractice; Electoral Justice; Enfranchising Marginalized Electorates; and Electoral Observation and Validation. There will be an individual writing assignment and a group project concerning elections.