Dr. James A. Thurber, Distinguished Professor of Government and Director of Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, School of Public Affairs at American University , Washington , D.C., visited the American University in Dubai (AUD) and conducted a presentation on the Impact of Presidential Elections on Foreign Policy . Dr. Thurber's visit to AUD is part of the US Speaker Program. He was accompanied by Mr. Ramin Asgard, Public Affairs Officer at the US Consulate General in Dubai.

Dr. Thurber's presentation covered a wide range of issues related to the US presidential elections, and highlighted the ideologies of both the Republican and the Democratic parties. His presentation also highlighted the election process, and how the different approach each state adopts during the elections.

Dr. Thurber was also accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Claudia H. Thurber, Consultant in Occupational Safety and Health Policy, who was invited to give a presentation on Politics and Media as a guest speaker during Dr. Richard Gross's Media Literacy class. Dr. Gross is an Associate Professor of Communications and Information Studies and Program Coordinator at AUD. The presentation, titled The Use of Documentaries for Advocacy , discussed the important role media plays in the political arena. Mrs. Thurber showed samples of documentaries and discussed their impact.

At the end of the session students were given the opportunity to ask questions to enhance their understanding about the US elections and its impact on the Middle East region.

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Thurber has been on the faculty at American University since 1974 and was honored as the University Scholar/Teacher of the Year in 1996. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. He is author of numerous books and more than seventy-five articles and chapters on Congress, congressional-presidential relations, congressional budgeting, congressional reform, interest groups and lobbying, ethics and lobbying, and campaigns and elections.