Political science class examines election, allows public to participate

By the time adjunct lecturer Maggie Lippens cut off the debate on a recent Monday night, her political science students had been bouncing questions and observations around the room for more than an hour. On this night, it was a stirring discussion of U.S. foreign policy — presented in a less-seen historical context by professors Richard Stahler-Sholk and Judy Kullberg, with perspective added by a student from Jordan and three who'd served in Iraq.

ELECTORAL PROCESS: Maggie Lippens, and adjunct lecturer in EMU's Political Science Department, makes a point about the electoral process to students in her American Government PLS 112 course. Because of the upcoming November election, Lippens modified her section of the course to focus on that historic event and even provides select evenings when the public can sit in and participate. Photo by Anthony Gattine

Thorny questions. Intense debate. Mmmmm mmmm, good learnin'.

"I think it's important for students to use their critical thinking skills," Stahler-Sholk said. "It's great when people disagree. The goal is not for everyone to come to the same conclusion."

Lippens has taught this American government class, PLS 112, dozens of times, but never quite like this.

The Oct. 6 Monday night PLS 112 class is a special election-year edition, with events like the foreign policy panel discussion open not only to anyone at EMU, but to the public at large. Faculty are encouraged to give extra credit; students who attend also can claim Learning Beyond the Classroom credit. And community members who drop in can enjoy all the benefits of becoming better-educated voters — without worrying about tuition or grades.

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