A conversation on the straight ticket voting option will be the inaugural event of the University of South Carolina Aiken's new community series, Aiken in the Alley, on Sept. 28.
The series will kick off at 11 a.m. with a lecture from Political Scientist and USC Aiken Associate Professor Matthew P. Thornburg discussing, "The What and the Why of the Straight Ticket Voting Option." The presentation will include a discussion of the prevalence of straight-ticket option voters and an examination of who uses the option and how it affects the choices they make up and down the ballot. "Like a lot of election rules, people don't really think about how the straight-ticket option affects how people vote," Thornburg said.
Sponsored by the university's College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, the Aiken in the Alley community series will run Sept. 28 – Dec. 14 and include lectures, conversations, and music. Faculty in political science, English, history, and music will offer insights and meaningful dialogue on a range of topics affecting our community, nation, and world.
"Participants can enjoy a mini class (without the homework) before heading to lunch with friends in Downtown Aiken," said Dr. Forest Anderson, dean of the USC Aiken's College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
Events will begin promptly at 11 a.m. at the university's Alley location at 141 Newberry Street SW. For more information, call (803) 641-3784.
All events are free and open to the public.
Schedule for Aiken in the Alley:
Thursday, September 28 | 11 am-12 pm | Associate Professor of Political Science, Matthew Thornburg, "The What and the Why of the Straight Ticket Voting Option" |
Thursday, October 12 | 11 am-12 pm | Associate Professor of English, Todd Hagstette, "Fear the Future!: Netflix's Black Mirror and Technological Dystopia" |
Thursday, October 26 | 11 am-12 pm | Associate Professor of English, Julie Wise, "Victorian Literary Hauntings and Hauntologies" |
Thursday, November 9 | 11 am-12 pm | Join faculty and students for 'Poetry in the Alley' with Broken Ink, USCA's Literary and Visual Arts Magazine |
Thursday, November 16 | 11 am-12 pm | Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Carolina Trustee Professor, Tom Mack, "Aiken's Nineteenth-Century Man of Genius, Poet and Inventor James Matthewes Legare" |
Thursday, December 7 | 11 am-12 pm | Associate Professor of History, Elizabeth Georgian, "Spinning and Revolutions: Demonstrations of Historical Spinning Techniques" |
Thursday, December 14 | 11 am-12 pm | A Performance by the USCA Music Program |
For more information, contact Christen Engel, (803) 641-2825, Christen.Engel@usca.edu
