Political engagement on campus

September 30, 2016

This year is Professor David Mindich’s fifth time being on campus for a presidential election. As a professor in the Media Studies department he takes special interest providing outlets for students to stay informed. He has hosted watch parties for students since the Bush, Gore debate of 2000, and since 2004 he has offered a special class to students called “Media and American Politics.”

“I have thought for many years that in my role as a professor that I can promote student political engagement,” Professor Mindich said. “Watching the debates as a group is a great way to foster engagement and conversation.”

After being on sabbatical last year, Professor Mindich is teaching his Media and American Politics class this fall, instead of the usual spring, which coincides with the New Hampshire primaries. He hopes right now because of Clinton and Trump’s close polling numbers in New Hampshire he can take students to rallies to get some of the New Hampshire experience.

As for this current election Mindich has wrote to the Columbia Journalism Review on the subject of the press’ role in politics.

“For the next ten years we will be talking about how the press reacted to Trump and the press’ role in covering one of the most unusual candidates in American history,” Mindich said. “It is an interesting discussion for the classroom as well. It is a unique election year that allows us to explore both politics and the press.”

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