Civility in politics thrives in college government classes
These days the news has been dominated by tense topics, polarized groups and stories of controversy. While our nation just emerged from a presidential-election contest that stunned many, and there are still some who think their fights are not over, I have noticed one bright and shining example of civility: the students in my college government classes.
As the first full semester following the election, this spring semester has been eyeopening and an encouragement, if in any way it foretells Central Florida’s future. I teach American National Government and State and Local Government for Eastern Florida State College.
My students come from different areas of the region, state, country and even the world, and bring with them vast and varying experiences. They are young and in high school, traditional college-aged students, adults returning to school and everyone in between. They are single, married, parents, grandparents, military members and civilians, and pursue more interests, career goals and plans for personal advancement and contribution to our community than I could possibly list.
One commonality, however, is their participation in civil, honest and open discussions that have been taking place over these past weeks of the spring semester.
We have covered the federal government, elections, the Florida Legislature and court cases. We have examined social media, interest groups, congressional committees, term limits and K-12 education in the state. And despite the tendency of some issues to draw polar-opposite opinions, my students have respected one another and shared helpful stories, experiences and perspectives. They appreciated one another. They drew on the ideas and information presented by other students. In short, despite the opportunity to criticize or show hostility toward fellow classmates, they engaged successfully in an ongoing conversation with each assigned topic that was both current and unique due to the uniqueness of the individual participants.
This is a far cry from what some might predict or expect, considering the subject of the classes and the recent political environment.
Today, there are still places where a freeflowing exchange of ideas is not only encouraged, but encouraging to those involved. My online classes are just these places. We learn, grow and become better citizens by respecting one another. It has been invigorating to see the perspectives of all students and the research they have uncovered, the expertise they have provided, and the opinions they have explained.
Students of all sorts have shown me that Central Florida has some of the most respectful, hard-working, interesting and friendly individuals anywhere. Because of these successes in the classroom environment, with students learning both from their own findings and from the contributions from others, I am saddened to see this semester draw to a close. But with a new semester soon to begin, I am already looking forward to my next class.
I am glad that talented and civic-minded dads, moms and college students of all walks — members of our Central Florida community — will be there.