Wonder about the latest election polls or the forces behind a certain political action committee, curious about how candidates are using social media to try to influence voters, or just love a good debate?

Whatever your Election 2012 interests, you may find them addressed and/or analyzed in one of the numerous public events scheduled in coming weeks with University of California, Berkeley, experts. Topics range from politics and polling to taxes, the media and more.  Below are details about this fall’s lineup of election-related programs taking place both on and off campus.

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 4:10 p.m.

The Jefferson Memorial Lecture: “Obama, the Tea Party and the Future of American Politics”

Alumni House, Toll Room

Theda Skocpol, a leading scholar of comparative and American politics and a Harvard University professor of government and sociology, will survey the political landscape and ask what happened to Obama’s “new New Deal,” why his achievements have outraged opponents more than they have satisfied his supporters, how the Tea Party has reshaped American politics and where the country is headed next. She is the author of “Diminished Democracy,” which tracked the decline of civic engagement in recent decades.  Skocpol’s current research focuses on health care reform and other federal policies in the Obama era. The event is free and open to the public.

Thursday, Sept. 20, 3:30-5 p.m.

“France, USA: The Right in the 2012 Presidential Elections”

Moses Hall, Room 223

France and the United States are both preparing for presidential elections with conditions that include high unemployment and the strong presence of right-wing movements. Panelists who will address how these movements relate to mainstream right-wing parties and their influence on the election campaigns include Lawrence Rosenthal, executive director of the UC Berkeley Center for Right Wing Studies, and political science professor Eric Darras of the University of Toulouse. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.

Thursday, Sept. 20, 4-5:30 p.m.

“Implicit Bias, Identity Anxiety, and Structural Racialization Subtexts in the Everyday and the 2012 Election”

Boalt Hall- Berkeley Law, Room 132

The event is jointly sponsored by UC Berkeley’s Haas Diversity Research Center and the American Values Institute. More information, including a list of panelists, is in a flyer that can be found online.

Friday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

“California’s Fiscal Crisis: Prospects for Pension Reform and Deficit Reduction in the Golden State”

David Brower Center, downtown Berkeley

Leading experts and public officials will explore the fiscal crisis confronting California’s state and local governments. The crisis is reflected on California’s November ballot with several initiatives. The keynote speaker will be Mark Zandi, chief economist with Moody’s Analytics. Registration is closed but credentialed reporters are welcome.

Friday, Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m.

“The Obama Report Card: A Berkeley Law Roundtable Discussion on Obama’s First Term”

Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco

President Obama’s performance so far will be graded by former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm of UC Berkeley’s Richard & Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy and Berkeley Law; former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, also a professor at the Goldman School; former California Gov. Pete Wilson; and Dan Schnur, former national communications director for John McCain’s presidential campaign.  Berkeley Law Dean Christopher Edley Jr. will moderate. Tickets can be purchased online, or by calling City Box Office at (415) 392-4400.

Monday, Oct 1, 4-5:30 p.m.

“Tweeting Your Way to the White House: Social Media and the 2012 Campaign”

Related Information

Election 2012 Experts

The California Choices website about state governance reform issues is sponsored in part by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies. It includes November ballot measure endorsements and gives site visitors the chance to share their vote.

UC Berkeley professor of political science and education Lisa Garcia Bedolla talked with “Prime Vote” about the Latino vote in the 2012 election.

The UC Berkeley student-developed Politify app assesses the personal economic impacts of a win by Obama or by Romney.

Goldman School of Public Policy Dean Henry Brady tells UCTV’s “Prime Vote” program why voters should participate in those phone surveys and make their voices heard.

Sutardja Dai Hall, Banatao Auditorium

A panel of experts will discuss how social media is affecting politics, how voters and politicians use social media, and how using social media affects other forms of election communication. Panelists will include Daniel Kreiss, an assistant professor of journalism at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and the author of “Taking Our Country Back: The Crafting of Networked Politics from Howard Dean to Barack Obama”; Theo Yedinsky, former new media director for the Gavin Newsom for California governor campaign and president of Social Stream; and David All, founder of the David All Group, whose clients include issue advocacy campaigns. The event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Oct. 3, 6-8 p.m.

“Obama vs. Romney: Round One”

Moses Hall, Matsui Center

The first debate between President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney will air on TV, likely to a packed crowd of students gathered at the Matsui Center.

Saturday, Oct. 6, 9-10 a.m.

“Governing America in the Age of Political Polarization”

Bechtel Engineering Center, Sibley Auditorium

Henry Brady, an economist and professor of political science and the dean of the Goldman School of Public Policy, will talk about how American politics got so polarized, how this affects governance and decision-making, and possible ways to break down the gridlock in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

The talk is part of programming for Homecoming 2012.

Thursday, Oct. 11, 6-8 p.m.

“Biden vs. Ryan”

Moses Hall, Matsui Center

A chance for students and others to tune in to the televised debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Republican challenger Paul Ryan.

Monday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.

George Lakoff on “The Little Blue Book: The Essential Guide to Thinking and Talking Democratic”

First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley

The talk by UC Berkeley cognitive linguist George Lakoff will explore his ideas for how Democrats can better communicate their policies and moral values.  The event is a fundraiser for KPFA Radio.  Information about tickets is online.

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 6-8 p.m.

“Obama vs. Romney: Round Two”

Moses Hall, Matsui Center

The president and Mitt Romney face off in a televised debate about their bids to govern the country for the next four years.

Monday, Oct. 22, 6-8 p.m.

“Obama vs. Romney: Round Three”

Moses Hall, Matsui Center

The third and final debate between President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 4-5:30 p.m.

“Why Americans Don’t Join the Party: Race, Immigration and the Failure (of Political Parties) to Engage the Electorate”

Institute for the Study of Societal Issues conference room, 2538 Channing Way, Berkeley

Taeku Lee, a UC Berkeley professor of political science and law, will discuss his recent book, “Why Americans Don’t Join the Party: Race, Immigration and the Failure (of Political Parties) to Engage the Electorate,” and updating some findings and themes to make it current for the 2012 election.

Friday, Oct. 26, noon

Henry Brady: A Political Prognosis for the Presidential Race and its Aftermath”

The Commonwealth Club of California’s Gold Room, 595 Market St., San Francisco

Henry Brady, economist, political science professor and dean of the Goldman School of Public Policy, will look at how democratic processes played out in the 2012 election, discuss what to expect on election night, and what the political future is likely to hold. Ticket information is available online. For directions to the Commonwealth Club, click here.

Monday, Oct. 29, 4-6 p.m.

“Election 2012: What Do the Experts Expect?”

Institute of Governmental Studies Library, 109 Moses Hall

A panel of political scientists discusses the upcoming election and what to expect, watch for and think about. The panel – UC Berkeley’s Eric Schickler (U.S. Congress, American politics), Gabriel Lenz (elections, public opinion and political psychology) and Merrill Shanks (election behavior and public opinion) – will be moderated by political science professor and IGS director, Jack Citrin.

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m.

“A Consumer’s Guide to Media: Finding Truth in an Election Year”

The Commonwealth Club’s Blue Room, 595 Market St., San Francisco

UC Berkeley journalism professor and investigative reporter Lowell Bergman will join KGO Radio host Ronn Owens and other guests to be announced later for a discussion about media ethics and responsibilities and how to be a better election season consumer. For tickets (from $7 for students to $12 for members and $20 for non-members) and other details, click here.

Monday, Nov. 5, 4-6 p.m.

“Election Eve Update: Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo”

Moses Hall, Matsui Center

Independent pollster Mark DiCamillo provides last-minute numbers on voter turnout, support for Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax initiative, and other California election issues.

Friday, Nov. 16, 6:30-8 p.m.

“2012 Presidential Election Recap”

Sutardja Dai Hall, Banatao Auditorium

A panel of experts will deconstruct election results, voting patterns, the influence of money and social media, the prospects for election reform and what’s next.  Panelists will include National Public Radio’s Washington editor Ron Elving; Politico technology reporter Michelle Quinn; Pulitizer Prize-winning historian David Kennedy and political scientist Bruce Cain, both of Stanford University; and Lisa Garcia Bedolla, a UC Berkeley associate professor of political science and education as well as the author of “Mobilizing Inclusion,” a 2012 book about get-out-the-vote efforts among ethnic communities. Susan Rasky, a lecturer at the Graduate School of Journalism, will moderate.