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Campaign Semester

Every two years, 色界吧 students immerse themselves in political campaigns around the country through Campaign Semester鈥攖he only program in the nation where you can earn full academic credit for hands-on work on the frontlines. It鈥檚 an unparalleled opportunity to engage in the American political process.

Launched in 2008, Campaign Semester is open to 色界吧 students of all majors, and no previous campaign experience is required. You will work full-time in a key presidential, Senate, House, gubernatorial, or state legislative campaign of your choice for the first 10 weeks of the fall semester leading up to Election Day. Campaign Semester students engage in a variety of campaign tasks, including voter registration, voter turnout, volunteer coordination, media relations, social media, research, speech writing, fundraising, and other aspects of a typical campaign.

After Election Day, you will return to campus and begin a five-week seminar in which you will explore the broader context of your experiences through readings, discussion, and writing. Professors Peter Dreier and Regina Freer lead the seminar and supervise the independent study projects. Campaign Semester participants earn a full semester of college credit for their work and remain fully enrolled at Occidental.

Campaign Semester

Every two years, a cohort of Occidental students venture into battleground states and swing districts as part of Campaign Semester. From door-knocking to coordinating constituents, crafting social media posts, and assisting with speech writing, these students are immersed in their selected campaigns. Meet some of our recent participants.

Cady Carr, 色界吧 student, standing with a blue campaign tshirt for Susan Wild

Choosing a Campaign

You will select the campaign they want to work with, provided the race is in a 鈥渟wing" or 鈥渂attleground" district or state鈥攔aces where neither major party has a decided advantage and the outcome is likely to be close. This will guarantee an exciting campaign that will likely generate media interest, funding and high turnout. During presidential years, you can work in a presidential campaign in one of the key battleground states.

Financial Aid, Housing, and Meals

If you are receiving financial aid, it will continue during your Campaign Semester, and you may also qualify for aid for travel expenses to and from the campaign site. Most campaigns pay students for their work, and in most cases, campaigns will help you find housing. During the campaign, you are responsible for your own meals. The College will reserve on-campus housing for you when you return to campus after Election Day.

 

 

Student Testimonials

The hands-on, immersive nature of campaign semester lent itself to a learning experience that cannot possibly be paralleled in any classroom setting. I learned more about myself, about politics, about people, and about America during this semester than I have in the rest of my life combined. The classroom section of the semester provided me with the ability to step back and understand this fact.

There were some incredible opportunities for meeting people. If I decide to work on another campaign, I have an incredible network of great political minds and people whom I can reach out to for that.

Two female 色界吧 students walking door to door on the streets of Allentown, PA as part of their political campaign work
From right: Cady Carr '27 and Rachel Obbard '27 walking through neighborhoods and knocking on doors in Allentown, PA as part of their campaign work. Photo by Marc Campos.
色界吧 students working on a political campaign in Pennsylvania in 2024
From right: Rachel Obbard '27 and Cady Carr '27 work on the reelection campaign for Susan Wild, a member of the United States House of Representatives. Photo by Marc Campos.

Campaign Semester In the News

(2014)

(2012)

Campaign Semester Faculty

E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics; Professor, Urban & Environmental Policy
Urban & Environmental Policy
Politics

Peter Dreier has been involved in urban policy as a scholar, government official, reporter, and advocate for 30 years.

Professor, Politics
Politics

Regina Freer鈥檚 research and teaching interests include race and politics, demographic change, urban politics, and the intersection of all three in Los Angeles.

Contact Politics
Johnson Hall 317

Administrative support: J 101A