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Experiential Learning American Forum

Major media series that brings students together with prominent figures to engage about the most important issues facing young people today, in politics, media & democracy.

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American University School of Communication

Connecting Students with Newsmakers

Reflecting and expanding on its origins as a campus speakers series, the American Forum today provides AU students with experiential learning and meaningful participation in close civic dialogue with some of the most important players in media, politics and policy, about some of the most important issues of our time. Produced by the School of Communication with Professor Jane Hall as longtime moderator and executive producer, the American Forum has developed major media partnerships for regular broadcasting on NBC TV Washington streaming channel and WAMU radio, along with C-SPAN, Newseum and online video.

Congressmen Jamie Raskin, Manu Raju, Seung Min Kim, January 6 police officers Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges, Anita Hill, Yamiche Alcindor, Julian Bond, Chuck Todd, Jake Tapper, Martin Baron, Akbar Ahmed, Eugene Daniels, Emilie Ikeda, Maria Elena Salinas, Ana Navarro, Patti Solis Doyle and Republican and Democrat strategists are among our many guests. Professor Hall works with the non-partisan Kennedy Political Union and other student groups on these productions.

Playlist of American Forums

Videos in this playlist

To play a specific video, use the playlist icon in the player or view each video on YouTube.

  1. American University School of Communication

    CNN’s MANU RAJU ON THE FIGHT FOR CONTROL OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE IN THE 2024 ELECTIONS

  2. American University School of Communication

    CNN’S MANU RAJU ON COVERING CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND ‘BEING TOTALLY HONEST' IN REPORTING

  3. American University School of Communication

    CNN’S MANU RAJU ON HOW JOURNALISTS SHOULD REPORT ON DONALD TRUMP’S SOCIAL MEDIA

  4. American University School of Communication

    CNN’S MANU RAJU ON COVERING CONGRESS; “FROM A REPORTING PERSPECTIVE, IT WAS ALMOST A GOLD MINE”

  5. American University School of Communication

    American Forum: A Conversation with Rep. Jamie Raskin | NBC4 Washington

  6. American University School of Communication

    American Forum: AAPI Representation in Media | NBC4 Washington

  7. American University School of Communication

    Eugene Daniels of POLITICO on his story & being a role-model for Black and LGBTQ+ journalists

  8. American University School of Communication

    January 6th Officers Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges on Donald Trump's Role in Jan. 6th Insurrection

  9. American University School of Communication

    Jan 6 Officers Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges - if Police are Better Prepared for Another Insurrection

  10. American University School of Communication

    January 6th Police Officer Daniel Hodges On if Hillary Clinton had Attempted an Insurrection

  11. American University School of Communication

    January 6th Police Officer Harry Dunn on Mental Health of Police Officers After Insurrection

  12. American University School of Communication

    Jan. 6th Officers Daniel Hodges and Harry Dunn on Insurrection - As Brutal as It Was, We Won the Day

  13. American University School of Communication

    Daniel Hodges and Harry Dunn:  Will January 6th Happen Again and Who Should Be Held Accountable?

  14. American University School of Communication

    January 6 Police Officer Harry Dunn on Media Coverage:  “We’re also victims”

  15. American University School of Communication

    January 6th Police Officer Harry Dunn on Insurrectionists- -Emboldened- by Donald Trump

  16. American University School of Communication

    Jan. 6 Officer Daniel Hodges on What Insurrectionists Told Him: “They were there for Donald Trump”

  17. American University School of Communication

    January 6th Police Officer Daniel Hodges on Insurrectonists Attempts to Recruit Him

  18. American University School of Communication

    January 6th Police Officer Harry Dunn on Racial Slurs from Insurrectionists

  19. American University School of Communication

    January 6th Police Officer Daniel Hodges on Calling Insurrectionists Terrorists

  20. American University School of Communication

    January 6th Police Officer Daniel Hodges on Viral Video from Insurrection

  21. American University School of Communication

    Chuck Todd on Donald Trump, Republicans and Calling the News “A National Nightmare

  22. American University School of Communication

    Chuck Todd on Fox News, Media Credibility and the Media Post-Trump

  23. American University School of Communication

    Chuck Todd on 2020 “Wildcard” Candidates --and Why Politics Today is like “Back to the Future”

  24. American University School of Communication

    Maria Elena Salinas on Leaving Univision: “It’s Time for Me to Do Something Different”

  25. American University School of Communication

    GEN Z'S Take on Voting and the Midterm Elections!

  26. American University School of Communication

    Yamiche Alcindor on How Covering Donald Trump Is “Like Covering a Hurricane"

  27. American University School of Communication

    Yamiche Alcindor on Trump’s Attacks and Advice for Young Black Journalists

  28. American University School of Communication

    Yamiche Alcindor on the Presidential Debate and Fact-Checking Donald Trump at the White House

  29. American University School of Communication

    Martin Baron on the Response of the Catholic Church

  30. American University School of Communication

    Ana Navarro on How Trump Won Nomination in “Perfect Storm”

  31. American University School of Communication

    Katharine Weymouth on Meryl Streep as her Grandmother in "The Post"

  32. American University School of Communication

    Ed O’Keefe on Sen. John McCain’s vote in Congress against a Republican plan to end Obamacare

  33. American University School of Communication

    Ed O’Keefe on the difference between covering Congress and a presidential campaign

  34. American University School of Communication

    Ed O’Keefe on how his role has a journalist has changed since the election of Donald Trump

  35. American University School of Communication

    Ed O’Keefe on covering Sen. Rand Paul and deported immigrants in Guatemala

  36. American University School of Communication

    Ed O'Keefe on why and how the Democrats are working with President Trump to protect "Dreamers"

  37. American University School of Communication

    Ed O’Keefe on Sen. Susan Collins’s characterizing Congress as “Groundhog Day”

  38. American University School of Communication

    American Forum at the Movies with Washington Post's Ann Hornaday
Jane Hall

Meet Jane Hall

Meet the award-winning journalist, professor chosen Professor of the Year twice by AU student government, and Pulitzer finalist. Her 2021 CQ Press book, Politics and the Media: Intersections and New Directions, has been praised by Kirkus Reviews as “a definitive resource on politics and the media for years to come.”

Read the latest on American Forum 

Jane Hall and Jamie Raskin

Government & Politics

Straight Talk

WCL professor-turned-politician Jamie Raskin returned to AU for candid conversation during September 14 American Forum

Full Story

Hall, Sahejpal, Cheung, Ikeda, and Kim

Journalism

A New Chapter for SOC’s AAPI Journalists

AU celebrated the launch of its first-ever student chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association

Full Story

Officers Daniel Hodges and Harry Dunn with professor Jane Hall

Communications

Officers Who Defended U.S. Capitol on Jan 6. Discuss Its Impact on Media and Democracy

Students at an American Forum at AU's School of Communication heard first-hand from DC police officer Daniel Hodges and Capitol police officer Harry Dunn, who played heroic roles in defending the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Full Story

Gen Z takes on Midterm Elections

Communications

Gen Z Takes on the Midterm Elections

Students shared their views and engaged with a panel of experts about what they think are the most important issues.

Full Story