Political Science Experts Hold Community Conversations

Oct 6, 2020

FREDERICK, Maryland—In light of the uprisings we are witnessing in cities across the country protesting racial injustice, in the context of an election season and the unprecedented COVID-19 Crisis, the Department of Political Science at Hood College is hosting a series of events designed to help us better understand race and politics with a series of events, “Race, Politics and Public Policy,” scheduled throughout the academic year and beginning with two this month.

“The Case Against the Electoral College: How the Electoral College Undermines Racial Equality and Democracy,” on Monday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. via Zoom webinar, with Dr. Elizabeth Bennion, professor of political science at the University of Indiana-South Bend.

“Protest and Politics: Struggles for Liberation in the Midst of a Double Pandemic – A (Virtual) Conversation between Dr. Melina Abdullah and Dr. Wendy Smooth” on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. They will address current topics including racial justice, Black Lives Matter protests, the 2020 elections and Black women’s political activism. Dr. Abdullah is a political scientist and a professor at Cal State University (LA). She is also one of the founding organizers of Black Lives Matter, LA and contributes to BLM national leadership. Dr. Smooth is the associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at the Ohio State University. She is also a political scientist and a professor in the Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the Ohio State University.

These online events are free and open to the public; links to each webinar are available by RSVPing to tuckerworgs@hood.edu. “Race, Politics and Public Policy,” is co-sponsored by the Martha E. Church Center for Civic and Community Engagement and the Office of the Provost.

Hood College is an independent, liberal arts college, offering more than 25 bachelor’s degrees, four pre-professional programs, 19 master’s degrees programs, two doctorates and 10 post-baccalaureate certificates. Located in historic Frederick, near Washington, D.C., Baltimore and the I-270 technology corridor, Hood gives students access to countless internships and research opportunities.