In June 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that federal courts cannot determine whether election maps are overly partisan, effectively leaving the issue to Congress and ensuring that gerrymandering will be a factor in the 2020 elections. This seminar will explore gerrymandering within the context of broader communities of interest and identity, which politicians generally try to take advantage of during elections. We will thus focus on the intersection between social, cultural, and political patterns, especially as they shape our voting districts. Topics will include the origins of gerrymandering, its various forms, and the role it may play in our upcoming elections, as well as possible options or simulations for use in class to help students understand gerrymandering.
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