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NEWS
| October 14, 2004
Professor
involves class in political process
Some offer extra credit for volunteering,
but in this class it’s a requirement.
By Jessica
Smith
The Shorthorn Staff
Jose Gutierrez wants his students to learn about the political process.
And if they don’t, their grades could drop a whole letter.
Gutierrez, political science associate professor, requires his students
to get involved by volunteering for a campaign for at least six
hours by registering students to vote and participating as election
clerks or poll watchers for at least four hours on Election Day.
“I require this because I believe a necessary part of studying
about politics in Texas and its government — a student should
experience what it is as a participant and to learn first hand what
is involved in campaigns, elections and electoral politics generally,”
he said.
Students earn 10 points by completing the election project.
According to statistics, only 42 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds
voted in the 2000 election.
During one campaign several of Gutierrez’s students volunteered
for Democrat Ruby Woolridge, who is challenging Republican incumbent
Kent Grusendorf for the District 94 seat in the Texas House of Representatives.
Miriam Wright, campaign field/volunteer director, said their volunteers
participate in a variety of activities based on what they want and
are able to do.
“We have them doing everything from phone banking to precinct
walking to putting up signs,” she said.
However, not every political science professor is as enthusiastic
about getting students involved in the political process. Allan
Saxe, political science associate professor, said he used to give
extra credit to students who volunteered for a campaign but no longer
offers that option.
“There seems to be a sensitivity in the community to having
students involved in political campaigns,” he said. “I
think one of the mistakes people make is assuming politics is the
be all and end all of everything.”
Saxe now gives his students extra credit for performing community
service and writing a report. He said approximately 20 percent of
students in his classes get involved and work everywhere from Mission
Arlington to libraries to the Humane Society. He estimated that
about 100 students were doing the project this semester.
Gutierrez’s students write a reflection essay after they complete
their service, telling about their experience and how what they
learned was similar, different or missing from the textbook and
lecture material. He said most of his students come away from the
experience with a newfound interest in electoral politics.
“Most students write that the election experience has made
them interested in working as election judges and clerks in future
elections,” he said.
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