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Course Description

Discuss recent national news and key issues shaping the United States today.

  • Meet the Instructor: 

Julie Strauss is a popular lecturer in American Politics, covering diverse lecture offerings including Presidential and Congressional Elections from 2000 through 2026, The Role of Money in Politics, Major Supreme Court Decisions, The Electoral College vs. the Popular Vote and Gerrymandering and Whether We Will Ever Elect a Female President.  She has offered in a variety of settings, including Oakton Community College, the North Shore Senior Center, The College of Lake County, Jewish Community Centers, retirement facilities and at several Road Scholar seminars at the Perlstein Resort in Wisconsin.  She brings both academic expertise and real-world experience to her lectures.  Julie Strauss received her Ph.D. in American Politics from Northwestern University.  Her dissertation examined the unique role women members of Congress have had on public policy.  Prior to entering graduate school, Julie spent two years on Capitol Hill working for elected officials.  She received her undergraduate degree in social science from Wesleyan University.  She lives in Evanston with her husband.

Typically Offered: Offered summer, fall & spring.

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in

Section Title
Silicon Valley’s Growing Influence over our Politics
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Lecture
Days
W
Time
9:00AM to 11:00AM
Dates
Jul 29, 2026
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
2.0
Location
Delivery Options
In-Person Class  
Course Fee(s)
Tuition non-credit $45.00 Click here to get more information
Drop Request Deadline
Jul 28, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
Nov 03, 2023
Instructors
  • Julie Strauss

Section Notes

Tech companies have grown exponentially in the past two decades and with that growth comes increasing political influence.  Join Julie Strauss for a look into how the increasing power of tech companies and their leaders are influencing our politics from candidates who are supported through large donations to policies that are promoted (particularly around Artificial Intelligence lately) to the Oval Office.  Don’t miss this topical exploration of our current political moment. 
Section Title
Major Decisions of the 2025-2026 Supreme Court Term
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Lecture
Days
W
Time
1:00PM to 3:00PM
Dates
Jul 29, 2026
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
2.0
Location
Delivery Options
In-Person Class  
Course Fee(s)
Tuition non-credit $45.00 Click here to get more information
Drop Request Deadline
Jul 28, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
Nov 03, 2023
Instructors
  • Julie Strauss

Section Notes

Join Julie Strauss, Ph.D., in a review of the major decisions of the Supreme Court’s term that just concluded. We will discuss its decision on racial gerrymandering, as laid out in the voting rights act.  We will also examine the court’s decision on a Colorado law banning conversion therapy; whether the president can fire a member of the Federal Reserve and whether the president can unilaterally continue to impose tariffs.  Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the Supreme Court’s 2025-2026 docket. 
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