The Department of Political Science at Presbyterian College will host a panel discussion titled “An Analysis of the 2016 Elections” on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, at 7 p.m. in Chapman Conference Center in Jacobs Hall. The panel will feature regional political scholars to analyze the candidates’ campaign strategies and the road to the White House for President-elect Donald Trump. This event is free and open to the public. This lecture will be the first in the Samuel C. Walters lecture series in political science.

The panel will feature Dr. James Guth, professor of political science at Furman University; Dr. Erin McAdams, associate professor of political science at Presbyterian College; and Dr. Laura Olson, professor of political science at Clemson University.  The panel will be moderated by Dr. Justin Lance, associate professor of political science at Presbyterian College.

A specialist in American politics, Guth teaches courses on political parties, the politics of religious movements, interest groups, and presidential campaigns at Furman University and his recent research has evaluated the impact of religion on public policy and American elections. The author of several books and scholarly journal articles, his most recent book publication is “Religion and the Struggle for European Union: Confessional Culture and the Limits of European Integration,” published in 2015. Guth has commented on American politics for a variety of media outlets, including CNN, NBC “Nightly News,” ABC “World News Tonight,” and the BBC.

A specialist in American political attitudes and behavior, McAdams’s research, and teaching interests include public opinion and polling, elections and campaign management, gender in American politics and legal studies. She also serves as the Pre-law Advisor at Presbyterian College and has published articles in the “Journal of Electoral Politics,” “Religion and Politics” and “The International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education.”

Olson is a specialist in contemporary religion, civic engagement, and American politics, with special emphasis on the political attitudes and behaviors of the clergy. A member of the editorial board of the “Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion,” she has authored many books and scholarly journal publications, the most recent of which was her 2008 book title “Beyond Red State and Blue State: Electoral Gaps in the 21st Century American Electorate.” She is has been interviewed on issues related to American politics on CNN, National Public Radio and BBC Radio.

Presbyterian College is located on a striking 240-acre campus in Clinton, between Columbia and Greenville, S.C. Offering challenging academics and a culture of honor, ethics, and service that prepares students to be leaders in communities, PC offers its students the benefit of engaging with an exceptional faculty who take individual interest in their students’ well-being, both personally and in the classroom. The Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy opened in 2010, and is dedicated to the ideals of leadership, honor to the profession, and service to the community. For more information about Presbyterian College, visit www.presby.edu.