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L.LEA 195 – Congressional Forum
Overview: This conference is a ten-day immersion in Campaigning and Politics for highly motivated high school students. Through classroom lecture, visiting guest speakers, interactive small-group work, debates and a final Election simulation, students will be exposed to a broad array of current issues relating to many dimensions of political science. In addition, students are taken through LeadAmerica’s leadership curriculum, which is designed to enhance their ability to lead in their personal, academic, and professional lives. Students who complete the course earn one college credit from Loras College (with a second credit option). Lecturing is performed by collegiate-level lecturers and experienced government officials with the assistance of Team Leaders, who are typically recent college graduates and undergraduate upperclassmen
Course Content: Some or all of the topics listed below will be covered in the Congressional Forum conference.
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Campaign Management |
Constituency Affairs |
Issue Area Expertise |
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Issue Stance Building |
Critical Thinking |
Debating Skills |
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Enhanced Oratory |
Media and Politics |
Electioneering |
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Lobbying and Interest Groups |
Campaign Staffing |
Image Building |
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Electoral “log-rolling” |
Legislative Affairs |
The Constitution |
Readings: Students will be given approximately 60 pages of collegiate-level background reading assignments in politics and important issue analysis. In addition, they will be given approximately 20 additional pages of material to read for the simulation.
Simulation: Throughout the course of the program, students will engage in a full-scale simulation of congressional campaigns and roles representing the multi-faceted realm of modern political life. At the end of the program, students will create and vote in an election as the culmination of the campaign.
Classroom Activities: In addition to lecture and discussion, students will:
• Simulate campaigns and elections
• Debate current issues in national security
• Practice careful and effective use of language
Off-site experiences: In addition to field trips intended to expose students to the sights and culture of Washington, DC, conference participants take trips to Arlington Cemetery, the Smithsonian Institution, and Capitol Hill. While visiting Capitol Hill, students will have an opportunity to meet with their senator and/or representative. | 
