Campaigns on the Cutting Edge

• a brand-new chapter examines how the presence of women in campaigns is changing the campaign dynamic;
• a brand-new chapter on minorities looks at how African-Americans, Asian Americans and Latino groups and candidates are utilizing new technologies to maximize participation;
• a brand-new chapter on redistricting explains how the political map will be shifting in 2012―and how that shift will affect candidate and party strategies for both the presidential and House elections;
• an exploration of how social media―such as twitter and facebook―has become as important as "traditional" new media (i.e. websites) for candidates and campaigns;
• an examination of how formerly distinct campaign techniques for fundraising, media, polling, and voter mobilization are converging;
• and a look at how the Citizens United v. FEC decision will impact the issue agenda in campaigns.

Richard J. Semiatin, American University, Academic Director and Assistant Professor of Government, is a current faculty member of the Washington Semester Program where he has served for over 20 years. Semiatin specializes in campaigns and elections. He is also the author of Campaigns in the 21st Century (2005), five monographs on elections, one monograph on impeachment and trial, book chapters, and articles. He was selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to participate in its Political Engagement Project (PEP). He received his BA from Connecticut College and PhD from American University.