Candidates behind in the polls often say that the only poll that matters is the one on election day. Well, no. Aside from predicting election results, polls influence campaign messaging, the allocation of campaign resources, fundraising success, and even voters' choices. This course offers a consumer guide to polls for this presidential election season: understanding poll results, distinguishing legitimate from illegitimate ones, and avoiding misinterpretation or overinterpretation. We consider concerns that have haunted polling during recent election cycles. Does the existence of “shy voters” lead polls to underestimate extreme candidates? Are exit polls useful? And are polls today hopelessly inaccurate?

The era of climate change denial is essentially over. Now comes the long period when humanity comes to grip with the challenge of running our complex global society without using fossil fuels. This class will present an update on the current status of this great adventure of our time. We will check in on our progress at the global, national, state, and local levels.