Any topic (writer’s choice)

Gender and race are always important national conversations, but especially during this fall Presidential election season, with the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and current Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett.  This week you are asked to pay special attention to current events and to relate them to our class. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofkPfm3tFxo

Watch all the US Presidential and Vice Presidential debates, starting with the first one tonight. The full schedule can be found here

https://www.c-span.org/debates/

A)    Tues Sept 29
B)    Wed Oct 7 (Vice Presidential Debate)
C)    Thurs Oct 15
D)    Thurs Oct 22

Watch clips from two prior US Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates that included women candidates: Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Geraldine Ferraro.

Answer the following questions in 2-3 pages.
A.    Describe the physical setting of the debate, exactly where it was located, the distance between the two candidates, distance between the candidates, the moderator, and the audience.
B.    Show us some photos of the debate and the physical environment where it occurred.
C.    How obvious was the physical height difference between the two candidates, and to what extent did the physical environment, or the candidates use of it, compensate for any major discrepancies. Carefully observe and describe how each candidate uses the speaking area, and how each tried to connect with the audience, both live and those millions watching elsewhere.
D.    What themes relating to gender and race, or themes about the natural or built environment, surfaced in this historic debate? Relate these to our course readings. Be specific and refer to readings by author, date, page number.
E.    Did either of the candidates violate the others sense of personal space, privacy, or territoriality? If so how? And how did the opponent react?
F.    Review some published coverage in reputable news media sources about this debate that connect with our course material. Provide specific citations of media coverage for each. What did the reporters say? Cite relevant sources. Do you agree or disagree with them? Why or why not?
G.    Repeat #1-6 for two prior debates including female candidates (video clips). Be sure to list the specific date and location of the debate, the names of the two candidates, and the moderator.
H.    What did you learn from doing this exercise that you didnt know before?