Twenty political science students at Saint Leo University have grades partially based on accurately predicting U.S. Senate races. Professor Frank Orlando teaches the Campaigns and Elections class only every two years during fall semesters with presidential or gubernatorial elections. Each student researches a specific Senate race, analyzing state history, candidate backgrounds, campaign issues, and county-specific targets. Students use social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Snapchat to follow campaign movements and surrogate activities. This course pushes students to investigate issues outside their usual study areas, such as pesticide-related cancer rates in Iowa and affordability concerns in Michigan.
Key Points:
- Twenty political science students at Saint Leo University have grades partially based on accurately predicting U.S. Senate races
- Professor Frank Orlando teaches the Campaigns and Elections class only every two years during fall semesters with presidential or gubernatorial elections
- Students must select a Senate race from another state, research its electoral history and campaign issues, and predict the winner down to percentage
