Political Science & Current Events

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287(g) & Immigration Enforcement in Florida: What it Means -- and What it Doesn't
Thursdays, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12 (In-Person & Zoom)
Fee: $35.00
Dates: 10/29/2026 - 11/12/2026
Times: 9:30 AM - 11:15 AM ET
Days: Th, Sessions: 3

Instructor: Mark Schlakman
Building: FSU Campus, Claude Pepper Center (opens in new tab)
Room: Broad Auditorium

Seats Available: 72

Zoom: A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants prior to start of the class.
Explore the federal 287(g) program and its role in state and local immigration enforcement. Examine current policies, Florida's immigration initiatives, including "Alligator Alcatraz," and the legal, policy, and public safety issues surrounding them. Consider multiple perspectives on law, governance, and public policy.
Review the Zoom "Guide for New Uses"

Democracy and Jimmy Buffett
Wednesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21
Fee: $35.00
Dates: 10/7/2026 - 10/21/2026
Times: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Jimmy Buffet, in his song "Margaritaville," told us we all have to eventually admit that our problems are largely our "own damn fault." This course will use that sentiment to review the current state of governance in America and discuss avenues to improve the political future of the nation.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE AS CLOSED.

please contact the OLLI office at 850-644-8115 or olli@fsu.edu if you would like to see if there is still availability.

Diving into 'The Atlantic'
Thursdays, Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12 (In-Session)
Fee: $65.00
Dates: 10/8/2026 - 11/12/2026
Times: 2:15 PM - 4:00 PM ET
Days: Th Sessions: 6

Instructor: Dennis Moore

These thoughtful in-person discussions will draw on the highly decorated monthly magazine founded in New England before the Civil War. Under current editor Jeffrey Goldberg, it continues to publish a range of highly respected journalists, including numerous Pulitzer Prize winners (think Ashley Parker and Anne Applebaum), several of whom appear regularly on PBS's "Washington Week with The Atlantic" (including McKay Coppins and David Brooks) on Friday nights.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

This class is already in session and is no longer available for registration. We hope you’ll explore other OLLI classes and upcoming opportunities this semester.

Pundits, Polls and Politics! The 2026 Mid-term Election!
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Fee: $15.00
Dates: 10/6/2026 - 10/6/2026
Times: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM EST
On November 3, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 in the Senate will be up for re-election! Hundreds of local and state offices/issues will be settled! Turn-out in POTUS elections is around 60%. Mid-terms? Barely 40%! This mid-term may be more consequential than any recent election. So, let’s dig into all the national issues, looking at how they rank – by party affiliation, generation, and region. We’ll look at some of the better forecasts of results and we’ll conduct our own on-line, in-class polls of issues/results. YES, we will forecast the House – Senate results by party!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE AS CLOSED.

please contact the OLLI office at 850-644-8115 or olli@fsu.edu if you would like to see if there is still availability.

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