A political campaign communications honors course is available at Cosumnes River College every presidential election year for students to describe, analyze and evaluate certain steps political figures take on their campaigns.

The main focus is to study speeches and campaigns of the presidential candidates, paying close attention to their tactics and leaving an open space for students to voice their opinions on certain matters, said communication studies Professor Georgine Hodgkinson.

“Looking at the rhetoric they’re employing the things that they are doing to reach out to voters. It’s incredibly unique for someone like me who’s really into this topic,” said 28-year-old political science major Ryan Pearce. “It’s interesting to see that there may be some method to madness.”

The honors class was started by Professor Hodgkinson in 1996, and she thought it would be an interesting course for the students to learn. By using timely data, the class gives the students an open space to discuss presidential debates and debrief them.

On Thursdays, students meet online to present the news from one source they are familiar with and one that they wouldn’t normally consider, which is something to look forward to because different perspectives are heard, said Garrett Winuk, a 19-year-old history major.

“Professor Hodgkinson is very open to different political perspectives and persuasions. She’s just really looking to see how good your argument is and what your purposes are,” Winuk said.

Each year, the students start a research paper that is supposed to be finished by the end of the semester. Afterwards, their research is sent to an academic conference outside of the school.

The class can give the students a space to talk about politics and not be afraid to disagree with one another. The hope is the work that students do in the class will carry over with them past the semester.

The class meets in person on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and over zoom on Thursdays.

“I want students to think deeply. I want them to see the pros and the cons of both candidates and of politics in general,” Hodgkinson said. “So, while I think we have a democratic responsibility to participate in this process and to vote, I also understand that it’s complicated and we need to really dig into why that is.”