Rep. Barbara Comstock's second study group of the semester centers on something important: how to get started. Whether it’s working on a campaign or working in an elected official’s office, the best experience and the best staff work their way from the ground up.  Studying policy and politics is obviously a way to start but getting “in the arena” is where you can impact policy and elections.  We will talk to two of my campaign managers, one who also served as my Chief of Staff, about how they entered politics and how they staffed, managed, and organized campaigns and offices and the challenges they faced.  They will also discuss the various positions available and the opportunities to work on issues they care about and how they developed relationships on shared missions that assisted with the policy issues they worked on and legislation passed and coalitions they developed to pass that legislation.        

Guest: Sean Harrison, former Campaign Manager and current DoD Lead, Google.

Former Ambassador Cathy Russell leads a weekly study group entitled: "Why Women and Girls Matter to U.S. Foreign Policy." This study group will examine the role of the United States in supporting women around the world, including the important role of men and boys, and consider the future of American leadership. 

In her first session, "How Did Women Come to Matter in U.S. Foreign Policy?" Cathy will look at the challenges faced by women, including limited political participation, gender-based violence, lack of education, and difficulties participating in formal economies. 

Join former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu for a conversation on current events and past experiences navigating racial issues on the local level. Lunch will be provided.

Former Representative Carlos Curbelo leads a weekly Study Group entitled “Congress: The Art of the Possible.” Each week, he will focus on the causes and consequences of the many political dynamics at work in America. He will also bring into focus some of the most divisive issues in the country including climate policy and immigration, and recent activity related to these issues in Congress.

Michael Zeldin leads a weekly study group entitled: "Independent Counsels and Presidential Investigations." This study group will focus on all aspects of the investigation of a sitting president of the United States -- the law, politics, and media.

In his first session, Michael will take a deep dive into the Mueller Investigation. Why was he appointed? What is his mandate? How has he proceeded to date? Where might he be going? How will the takeover by the Democrats of the House of Representatives impact Mueller’s work?

Former Representative Barbara Comstock leads a weekly Study Group entitled "A Woman in the Arena." Her study group will focus on the variety of jobs and opportunities available throughout government service and the political landscape and how these positions allow you to advance the issues and causes you care about in the public arena. 

In the first week of Rep. Comstock's study group, she will introduce the goals and topics for the semester.

Aisha Moodie-Mills leads a weekly Study Group entitled "The Rise of the New American Majority." Each week will feature provocative discussions on the political implications of America’s demographic shift, the role of racial/identity politics in campaigns, the power of diversity with regards to candidates, campaigns, and Congressional staff, the implications for political parties, the 2020 Presidential contest, and much more!

Aisha's first study group session, "The Demographic Revolution," will provide context and information about the study group and allow participants to get to know each other and Aisha.

Former Senator Heidi Heitkamp and Gary Cohn co-lead a weekly study group entitled "The Real State of the Union." 

The first week's topic is "Debt, Deficit and Despair." They'll ask and attempt to answer questions like: where are we and where are we heading? And, is 4% economic growth possible?  Plus a look into tax and fiscal policy.

Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum leads a weekly Study Group entitled "This Is What Democracy Looks Like." 

"Who Are The Changemakers" is Mayor Gillum's first Study Group session and will provide an overview of the semester goals and topics for the coming weeks. 

Join Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter for the first session of a three-part spring semester 2019 study group on issues facing America’s cities. Nutter will draw on his time as a two-term mayor of Philadelphia and former member of the Philadelphia City Council to discuss how cities are grappling with issues related to corruption and ethics, criminal justice reform, economic development, and other issues.

President Trump has carried out the majority of his presidency under the cloud of Robert Mueller’s investigation. He’s openly challenged the U.S. intelligence and law enforcement communities, fired his FBI director, threatened his attorney general, hired private attorneys to represent him, and set up a structure inside the White House counsel’s office to deal with Russia requests. And he’s broken the mold for presidents by talking and tweeting about all of this.

Guest Ty Cobb, former White House Counsel to President Trump.

Now that the Midterm results are in, how do we make sense of the outcome? What do these outcomes indicate about the success of modern social movements and the merging voices within them? And most importantly, after a semester together and a new political landscape, what does this inspire us to go and do?  We will prototype movements of our own, and commit to action moving beyond the semester to impact the Harvard community, greater Boston, and the communities with which we most closely identify.  We don't just get to be learners. Our privileges require us to be leaders.