organized by the Department of American Studies, University of Innsbruck
Election Event Series
"Making Sense of the US-American Presidency –
Four Years Later"
Four years later, we will likely see a rematch between the incumbent Joe Biden and Donald Trump for the White House in the 2024 presidential election. The Department of American Studies invites students, scholars, and guests to join our event series, which will include guest lectures, movie screenings, and an election night viewing party. This election event series wants to continue the conversation about US-American electoral and political processes that we started four years ago but also provide new insights as we follow along with the primaries, debates, and issues that will shape the presidential election on November 5, 2024.
Five (online) guest lectures will provide expert opinions and analyses of the 2024 election, the presidency, and the historical and political dimensions necessary to understand the overall political positions at play. Screenings of political films will complement the guest lectures. Our collaboration with the Leokino allows us to discuss US-American politics and its cinematic depictions.
We have invited guest speakers from Appalachian State University, California State University, Chico, Emerson College, Emory University, and the University of Notre Dame, who will offer their expertise during (online) guest lectures and/or post-screening discussions.
We cordially invite you to join us online, at the University of Innsbruck, and at the Leokino! All events are open to the public.
(Online) Guest Lectures
“Trump vs. Biden 2.0: American Democracy in Crisis”
Online lecture by Phillip Ardoin
Professor of Political Science, Department of Government and Justice Studies, Appalachian State University
Introduction by Cornelia Klecker
May 14, 2024, 3:30 pm
Join the event with this Zoom link.
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“When Popularity Is Not Enough: The History of the Electoral College”
Online lecture by Robert Tinkler
Professor of American History and Chair of the History Department, California State University, Chico
Introduction by Cornelia Klecker
June 19, 2024, 6:00 pm
Join the event with this Zoom link.
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“American Democracy's Last Stand: Gender, Populism, and Campaign Finance in the 2024 Presidential Election”
Online lecture by Mary Anne Taylor
Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies, Emerson College
Introduction by Cornelia Klecker
October 29, 2024, 3:30 pm
Join the event with this Zoom link.
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“Not Just Another Election: What's Ahead for America”
Lecture by Robert Schmuhl
Professor Emeritus of American Studies and Journalism, Department of American Studies, University of Notre Dame
Introduction by Cornelia Klecker
No registration required. This guest lecture is followed by a small reception.
November 13, 2024, 7 pm, Hörsaal 5 ¾ (Innrain 52e)
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“Understanding the 2024 US Presidential Election through the Lens of Gender and Race”
Lecture by Andra Gillespie
Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, Emory University
Opening remarks by Juan German, Cultural Attaché at the US Embassy in Vienna.
Introduction by Cornelia Klecker
No registration required. This guest lecture is followed by a small reception.
December 10, 2024, 6 pm, Hörsaal 5 ¾ (Innrain 52e)
Election Night Viewing Party & Pub Quiz
November 5, 2024, 6:30 to 10:00 pm, Seminar Room 4U102b (Geiwi-Turm, U1)
Co-organized by the student representatives of English and American Studies / Teacher Training Program Subject English.
Let's spend election night together! Even though we won't find out about results, we invite you to join us for an evening all about the US election. We'll watch some US news, have colleagues from the US zoom in to share their thoughts, and simply chat with each other. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Cornelia Klecker and (via Zoom) Robert Tinkler (Professor of American History and Chair of the History Department, California State University, Chico) will co-host a topical pub quiz.
We will also have a costume contest. All participants are invited to dress up. This is optional but the three groups with the best team-coordinated outfits (however you interpret that) will score extra points. And if the quiz is as close as the election appears to be, these points may well decide the winner.
To secure a spot, please sign up as a group (max. 5 people) by having one group member send an email that includes the names of all group members to Amerikastudien@uibk.ac.at. Registration deadline is October 29, 2024. Please note that spaces are limited. We can only accept a certain number of groups. Registrations will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible to ensure your participation.
We look forward to seeing you!
Film Screenings at the Leokino
Selma (Ava DuVernay, 2014)
Introduction by Cornelia Klecker and Sandra Tausel
May 7, 2024, 6 pm, Leokino 2
Vice (Adam McKay, 2018)
Introduction by Christian Quendler
June 12, 2024, 6 pm, Leokino 2
Civil War (Alex Garland, 2024)
Introduction by Cornelia Klecker and Philipp Leonhardt
October 23, 2024, 6 pm, Leokino 2
Frost/Nixon (Ron Howard, 2008)
The screening will be followed by a discussion with Robert Schmuhl (Professor Emeritus of American Studies, Notre Dame University).
November 11, 2024, 5:30 pm, Leokino 2
Street Fight (Marshall Curry, 2005)
The screening will be followed by a discussion with Andra Gillespie (Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Emory University).
December 11, 2024, 5:30 pm, Leokino 2
ORGANIZATION
This event series is organized by Cornelia Klecker, Devon Anderson, Matthias Klestil, Philipp Leonhardt, and Sandra Tausel with the Department of American Studies in collaboration with the Leokino Innsbruck.
SPONSORS
This event series is generously funded by the US Embassy Vienna, the Office of the Vice Rector for Research, and ZIAS (Center for Inter-American Studies) both at the University of Innsbruck.
Department of American Studies
University of Innsbruck
Innrain 52
6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Tel: +43 (0)512 507 4171 (Secretary’s Office)
www.uibk.ac.at/amerikastudien/