UNC Charlotte Engages Students and Community through 49er Democracy Experience

Renowned political science professor and author to speak March 23

Building on the opportunities being created in Charlotte with the 2012 Democratic National Convention, UNC Charlotte has embarked on a yearlong project it’s dubbed the 49er Democracy Experience. UNCC is teaming with other higher education institutions, businesses, civic leadership, and community partners to present events and programs for its students and Charlotte-area residents.

There have been several notable events and programs held as part of the 49er Democracy Experience over the last couple of months, featuring renowned speakers such as Duke University professor and author John Aldrich, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson, and global diplomat and former U.S. Senator George Mitchell.

The next opportunity for you to engage in a thoughtful discussion on politics and civic affairs is this Friday, March 23, when UNCC presents “Evaluating the Electoral College” lecture event with George Edwards III. Edwards is a professor of political science at Texas A&M University, and he’s author of several political books, including Why the Electoral College Is Bad for America, Governing by Campaigning, and The Strategic President. His most recent book, Overreach, analyzes the Obama presidency.

The event begins at 7 p.m. at the auditorium inside UNCC’s Center City Building, 320 E. Ninth Street. It’s free and open to the public.

The 49er Democracy Experience is also partnering with the UNC Charlotte College Democrats and College Republicans to get their young men and women involved regardless of which side of the aisle they support.

Furthermore, some UNCC students are learning about the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in their coursework. I recently interviewed UNCC political science professor Eric Heberlig for an article in the upcoming issue of Charlotte magazine, and he says he’s currently teaching a political parties class and doing a simulation of the presidential nomination process.

“I have students grouped into campaign teams for each of the candidates,” Heberlig says. “They’ll be doing a debate in front of my Introduction to American Politics class. We’ll have a simulated convention in a couple of weeks.” He’s also teaching a course this summer that’s specifically focusing on political conventions.

For more details on the 49er Democracy Experience, visit democracyexperience.uncc.edu.