Scenes from the Political Conventions
SMU students at this year's political conventions offer photos and insights.
A team of SMU students, guided by SMU Professor of Communication Studies Rita Kirk, are getting a first-hand look at democracy in action at the GOP and Democratic conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia this summer.
The students, from one of Kirk's classes, are serving as runners and convention volunteers and helping Kirk organize CNN focus groups the final two nights of the each convention. Co-directors Sandy Duheand and Stephanie Martin, professors in Communications Studies, and Candy Crespo, assistant director of the Maguire Center for Ethics & Public Responsibility, reviewed the students' academic work, including course readings, blogs posts, and other assignments, as well as aided in student transportation for their round-the-clock schedules.
The following photos were taken by the students at and around the RNC convention (Click on the photo to start the slide show.).
Student Blogs:
- Students attending this summer's Democratic and Republican national conventions are writing about their experiences. Read their blog
- This isn’t the first time SMU students have worked with Kirk to organize focus groups for CNN during the political season. Read about students’ experiences earlier this year at the adventure blog.
- Four years ago, another group of students joined Rita at the 2012 Democratic and Republican national conventions. Read their blog.
- In fall 2012, SMU students are attending the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, and the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of a political communication studies program.Read their blog.