KC Johnson

The unexpected developments of this year’s presidential campaign have brought new attention to the office of Vice President, and exploring the office semeed like a good way to view the election through a historical prism. The seminar will begin by tracing the (slow!) development of the office until World War II, and then explore successful and unsuccessful vice-presidnetial bids for the top office. We’ll analyze the Harris results the day after the election, examine good and bad VP choices, and finish by disucssing transitions.

As always, each seminar will conclude with comments on contemporary issues, and a question-and-answer session of open length.

Wednesdays at 10.30am.

Session One (September 25): The Office Develops

Session Two (October 9): Successful Bids

Session Three (October 23): Unsuccessful Bids

Session Four (November 6): The Harris Moment?

Session Five (November 20): What Makes a Good Choice?

Session Six (December 11): Looking Ahead