Political Science - Classroom Activities

Political Engagement Activity:

Participated in a post-card writing campaign to encourage people to vote in other states, such as GA and NV. It was a non-partisan activity that allowed students to write to other young voters.

Civic Engagement Activity:

Students engaged in a semester-long activity that permitted them to be more involved in the on-campus climate at Compton College. The students identified situations on campus that they had a concern or wanted to see an improvement. This experience had students create the following on-campus engagement activities:

1. Create a congratulatory letter to President Obama on his re-election campaign. Each person who signed the letter donated $.50. This letter was then mailed to President Obama, and the funds were used to purchase textbooks from the bookstore to give to the library. Students now have a few textbooks at the reservation desk.

2. Students went to instructors asking for book donations to give the library textbook copies, so that students can have access to course material throughout the semester.

3. For two semesters, students have been voicing their concerns about the lack of lighting at night. They came up with ideas, such as the "buddy system" while walking to the car, handing out flashlights, approaching faculty to ask to put evening/emergency phone numbers on the syllabus, and writing letters and talking to administration about turning on lights in the evening for safety reasons.

4. Students decided to clean up classrooms and locker rooms a few times during the semester.

Mock Political Campaign:

1. Students were divided into three groups (democrat, republican, independent) based on their responses to political questions. Throughout the semester:

   1. Fund-raise (only can receive $1/person),

   2. Create campaign advertisements,

   3. Create a smear campaign against the opponent (previous approval of the faculty member),

   4. Host a debate, gain volunteers for the campaign,

   5. Have poll watchers the day of voting, and

   6. Create a historical documentary on the whole event.

Here are a few samples of the assignment:

Democratic Campaign

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvC_A3pbjVg