Political Science Club sparks debate
Members meet to discuss current affairs
Sofia Gjerstad
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: Features
Students with opposing political views come together in the Political Science Club to discuss current affairs and plan events to inspire others to pay more attention to politics.
The club wants to raise political awareness, get students involved in politics and raise awareness of the many opinions people have, President Alexandra Stephens said.
The club has about 15 active members and meets once a week with adviser and Political Science instructor Joseph Martorana.
At the meetings, members discuss current events and ask the adviser about things they need further explanation on. They plan events and discuss how to reach out to students.
Member Tom Smith said most political viewpoints are represented in the club with democrats, republicans, libertarians and independents working together.
There's lot of mutual respect in the club and it's good to practice to discuss with people you don't agree with, Stephens said.
"For students who want a career in politics, it's good to know how to debate without loosing your head," she said. "The health care debate has been a big thing."
The week before the Mayor and City Council election, the club organized a forum where local politicians running for office held a panel to inform the students.
"It was our most crucial event of the year," Martorana said.
The club works to inform students about why it's important to engage in politics. "Often people don't really think about politics even though it's there every day," Stephens said.
The most important thing is to vote and we want students to know that, she said. "Young people tend to think that their vote doesn't matter which is wrong."
Stephens thinks it's important that students talk about politics with friends and teachers, not only their parents.
The club wants to raise political awareness, get students involved in politics and raise awareness of the many opinions people have, President Alexandra Stephens said.
The club has about 15 active members and meets once a week with adviser and Political Science instructor Joseph Martorana.
At the meetings, members discuss current events and ask the adviser about things they need further explanation on. They plan events and discuss how to reach out to students.
Member Tom Smith said most political viewpoints are represented in the club with democrats, republicans, libertarians and independents working together.
There's lot of mutual respect in the club and it's good to practice to discuss with people you don't agree with, Stephens said.
"For students who want a career in politics, it's good to know how to debate without loosing your head," she said. "The health care debate has been a big thing."
The week before the Mayor and City Council election, the club organized a forum where local politicians running for office held a panel to inform the students.
"It was our most crucial event of the year," Martorana said.
The club works to inform students about why it's important to engage in politics. "Often people don't really think about politics even though it's there every day," Stephens said.
The most important thing is to vote and we want students to know that, she said. "Young people tend to think that their vote doesn't matter which is wrong."
Stephens thinks it's important that students talk about politics with friends and teachers, not only their parents.
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