How to really learn more about politics

During the fall of a recent election year, I was teaching my Political Science 100 course: Introduction to American Government. As a political science professor, I naturally wanted to encourage my students to participate and pay attention to the election. In addition to updating and reordering my usual content, I also provided some information about the election: how to register to vote, resources about the ballot propositions, much more.

I did not hold class on Election Day so anyone who desired to do so would have the flexibility to cast their ballot. Instead, I created an alternative assignment that asked students to reflect on the election. They could discuss their time at a polling place, watching the election returns on television, or any other notable experience that they had that day. I read through every single reflection from my two hundred students. They were so thoughtfully done, and I learned so much from reading them. Their responses varied in every way you could imagine.

But the reflection of one student has always stuck with me. This particular student recounted how they would have liked to vote, but they did not feel informed enough. Others echoed this sentiment, but this student’s post captured it most eloquently.

My initial reaction was surprise and disappointment. How could this be? All the prep we had done in class was far more than many would be doing, and this young person still felt unprepared. I wondered what else I could have done as their professor to make them feel ready and empowered.

My second reaction was to think about the origins of this sense of being not informed “enough.” I knew that politics is something that can be very intimidating to many. They are simultaneously bombarded with information while also feeling unsure how they can find information they can trust. In addition, people can feel as if they must learn everything there is to know before they get involved in politics in any way. And there is always more to learn. As in life, so it is in politics!

In addition, many people underestimate what they know or do not connect the dots between everyday experiences and “politics.”

For example, we all learn things about politics every day whether we try to or not. We live in the world, in a nation, a state, city, community— a neighborhood. You may see that the neighborhood you live in has fewer trees and more air pollution than another neighborhood in which you work or visit. You may interact with a government employee— a teacher, a police officer, city utility worker, a census taker. These days, we are all seeing government action up close through the response to COVID-19: mask requirements, restrictions on gatherings, beaches and parks being closed, reopened, or with limitations on activities. These interactions can tell you something about what it means to be a resident or citizen, it tells you something about your position in society, how government and others see you. In short, you are understanding politics first-hand.

While these experiences bring knowledge, we may have questions that get more and more specific to help us to transform this knowledge into participation in politics: Which government officials and agencies are making decisions that affect the levels of air pollution in one’s community? Why are there only two major political parties, especially when so many people seem unhappy with either option? If I vote yes or no on that ballot proposition, what would happen?

If you want to really learn more about politics, I have some suggestions!

Some of them are more familiar ways of learning, like finding reliable news sources, enrolling in a class or reading a textbook. But I will help you make the most of these options. and be efficient with your efforts.

Others require you to act, perhaps in a way you may not feel “prepared” for yet— but acting is a way to learn. Through engaging, talking, and working with others, you can learn more than you might expect. It takes the everyday experience of politics to a new level.

So, stay tuned, this new series will help you learn more in a purposeful way. First up, how to use a textbook well. Even if you are not taking a class, textbooks can be an economical and organized way to learn and a great reference when questions arise.

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And of course, don’t forget, if you have a question about politics and policy I have not yet covered, go to the Contact page and enter it in— I will do my best to write a future post that covers it! Answering your questions is why I am here!