This course revolves around a central question: Why are women underrepresented in political office at all levels of American government? At the national level, women hold 26 percent of Senate seats and 29 percent of House seats. They make up 33 percent of state legislative seats and 25 percent of mayoral positions (Center for American Women in Politics, 2025). Women of color tend to be even less represented, particularly at higher levels of office. For instance, women of color make up only five percent of the current US Senate, and only four Black women have ever served in the Senate in its entire history. Non-binary gender identities are only now making in roads in elected office; only a handful of local or statewide elected officials identify as trans and/or non-binary.
This course reviews academic research to understand this underrepresentation puzzle. But it does more than that: it also teaches students how to run for office. We partner with a success California-based candidate training program to offer a non-partisan series of workshops centered around practical training exercises.
The program is open to all students who identify as belonging to underrepresented genders and their allies.
Applications will be accepted throughout the enrollment phases, with applications received by April 14th will be prioritized for the 1st enrollment phase. We look forward to receiving your application! Please submit your application through the link below: