Category: Top Stories

Innovative Course Allows Students to Make Educated Decisions at Polls

By Keeley Peters

Janette Muir, a professor at George Mason University, teaches an enthusiastic group of New Century College students about the ins and outs of political campaigning. She strives to educate her students about pressing election issues and encourages them to educate others by reaching out to undecided voters in the area.

“I came into this class with absolutely no knowledge what-so-ever about the 2008 campaign,” said Sara Hardy, a senior at George Mason from Springfield, Va. Like many others in the class, Hardy claimed, “All I knew was that Obama was the Democratic nominee and McCain was the Republican nominee.”

Students in the political campaign class eagerly await the election on Nov. 4. So far, classes have included discussions regarding primaries, the national conventions and the debates. Muir encourages students to voice their opinions whenever a major event takes place within the campaign.

She even provides a blog space on the Internet as a forum for open discussion.
“I posted on the blog when the Democratic and Republican candidates were announced, after both candidates gave speeches at the conventions and after the first presidential debate on Friday (Sept. 26),” Hardy said.

The blog space on blogger.com has become a medium for constructive criticism, venting and somewhere to post links to articles written on a daily basis about the major party candidates. The class is also informed of major happenings within the campaign with continual updates made by Professor Muir.

Together, each class group must collectively log 60 Experiential Learning hours, which encourages extensive learning outside of the classroom.

“As for learning outside of the classroom, I would like to see healthy, rich conversation on the blog,” Muir said. “I would like to see students engaging new ideas and their reactions to what is happening.

Too often, when given an assignment like blogging weekly or whatever, students resent doing it. I want the blog to be a communication space outside of lecturing.”

In addition, students have taken the initiative to reach out into the community to encourage people to vote and provide information about the candidates.

“The most interesting aspect(s) of the campaign in this particular election is the fact that we have minorities represented, and the role that media has been playing throughout the whole thing,” Muir said.

Muir hopes that her students will be able to persuade others to educate themselves about party issues, the candidates and the various representations of both presented by the media.

Self-selected class groups have participated in activities that encourage this, including DebateWatch, both high school and elementary level information sharing sessions, the distribution of candidate information on campus and student taped interviews.

While group work is definitely a major aspect of Muir’s class, individual research projects are also required; much of which is inspired by the course text.

Students chose topics for individual research regarding almost every aspect of the campaign: the effects of media on the campaign, the effects of debates on the respective candidates, the effects of personal decisions on a candidate’s campaign and even the presidential image.

After the research is done and the individual papers are constructed, the students participate in a panel-style symposium. Students with similar topics will participate in discussions together.

“The symposium structure models what we do in conferences. We bring in papers that we construct and present them in a thematic panel,” Muir said. “Having an individual presentation for 25 papers gets boring. By presenting in a symposium setting, everyone works together and no one has to repeat something that has already been presented.”

A unique aspect of the course allows students to use unconventional sources for their research like Youtube, “Saturday Night Live” episodes and print resources.

Students observe multiple media sources in class regarding campaigning. Recently, Muir asked students to select a political ad, state the purpose of the ad and determine whether or not it was effective.

“Most of the ads were either meant to bash the opposition or give information for the candidate’s platform, which is helpful in making a decision about who to vote for,” said Diana McGeough, an early education major from Chantilly.

“But sometimes, to more uneducated or less informed voters, these ads could contribute to the downfall of a candidate. It all depends on how much you care and how much time you actually spend trying to find out the truth about the issues.”

Learning how to find out about the issues is perhaps the sole purpose of the class. Muir makes sure that her students are aware of all of the available resources in order to do thorough research both inside of and outside of class.

“I read the (Washington) Post every morning, listen to NPR every day and I read several different blogs,” said Muir. “I also find my colleagues who study political campaigning, like me, to be a great source of information.”

As a result of the constant in-class discussion, it appears that Muir’s students have learned a great deal more than they originally knew.

“The Political Campaign class is helping me as a citizen become more informed on how the political system works,” Hardy said. “Through the class discussions, research and group work I have found this class to be one of the most enlightening classes I have ever been in.”

“It has definitely opened my eyes and understanding about the issues that are consuming our nation,” she said.

Muir said of her students, “They have definitely gained a new sense of awareness in campaigning.”

From: UPI

Hillary Clinton Rallies for Obama at Mason

Today, Hillary Clinton spoke at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. Virginia is a battle ground state and both campuses are fighting hard for the 13 electoral votes it has to offer.

Supporters were out in large numbers standing in lines that extended from the North Plaza to Enterprise and circling outside the northern portion of the Johnson Center. Mason students represented a relatively large portion of the crowd and of the volunteer staff.

For students like Carly Whelan, a junior biology major, this was their first time volunteering for a political campaign. “I like Barack Obama,” said Whelen of her reason for assisting at the Clinton rally.

“We like Hillary Clinton and support Barack Obama,” said Amy Glibort a Mason graduate student while she waited in line to be admitted to the event.

Gregory Thompson, president of Mason’s chapter of Students for Barack Obama introduced Clinton and presented her with a Mason letter jacket.

Clinton offered a message of full support for the Obama campaign in an attempt to heal deep wounds created during the primary season. “If you were there for me, I’m asking you to do everything you can in these closing hours so that we can win Virginia,” said Clinton.

She also responded to Republican Presidential Candidate McCain’s use of her primary speeches in opposition of Obama’s run for the presidency. “My name is Hilary Clinton and I do not approve that message.”

The majority of her speech, however, was a comparison of President George Bush’s administration’s results to that of her husband former President Bill Clinton and democratic ideals in general. “Wouldnt it be wonderful if even at anytime during Bush’s administration he had said the buck stops anywhere,” said Clinton

She promised that a Obama presidency would create jobs, bring troops home, and make health care affordable.

Mason Votes provided live tweets, photos and video feed which is still available. The full audio of the event will be uploaded to this blog soon.

Mason Votes will be providing extensive coverage during the final days of the election process.

Photo by Courtney Erland.

Hillary Clinton Coming to Mason on Sunday

Senator Hillary Clinton, D-NY, will be at George Mason University on Sunday, Nov. 2. The event, which begins at 3:30 p.m., will be held at the North Plaza and is open to the public. Her speech, sponsored by Senator Barack Obama’s, D-Illi, presidential campaign will compare Obama to Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., regarding issues such as affordable health care, middle-class taxes, clean energy technology and the creation of new jobs.

Recently, there has been much talk about the possible role Clinton could have in an Obama presidential administration. Cabinet positions such as Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State have been alluded to by several media outlets but have yet to be commented on by either Obama or Clinton.

Both Clinton and her husband, former President William Clinton have been campaigning heavily for Obama in the past weeks and, like the rest of his campaign, they have increased their visibility in swing states like Virginia.

Last Day to Register for Absentee Ballot

How Will You Pay? – College Affordability Part 5

Movies About the Issues: Watch and Learn with Student Media

Did you miss out on one of the Office of Student Media’s 5 viewings of movies about the issues in this election? Well, don’t fear! We can bring these movies to you. If you, your class, or your floor are interested in seeing one of these five issue movies, contact Mason Votes to set up a viewing.

The movies that were shown over the course of this election season were:

Who Killed the Electric Car?
The Future of Food
Trashed
Six Days in June
Lake of Fire
Maxed Out

Student Loans – College Affordability Part 4

Both candidates support loans as a way to help students pay for college. Obama’s plan seeks to increase loan forgiveness, a federal program that cancels all or a portion of a student’s loan, most often in exchange for some form of public service. McCain, however, has voted against programs to provide loan forgiveness on two occasions.

See more on how the candidates plan to work loans into their overall plans to help students pay for college in Part 4 of Mason Votes’ series on college affordability.

State House Speaker Addresses Mason on Budget Crisis

By Chris Bradshaw

Republican Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Bill Howell visited George Mason University Tuesday to address students and faculty. He answered questions about the current budget crisis and the impact it will have on the state level.

“Technically we’re not in a recession – in this country or in Virginia – yet, but I really think one is coming, and I think we need to prepare for that,” Howell said. He predicted that Virginia would face a deficit as high as $3.5 to four billion over the next two years.

Howell recommended using the current financial strain as an opportunity to re-examine the way Virginia puts together its budget.

“This speaks loudly to reforming the way we do our budget,” Howell said. “We shouldn’t have to go through these exercises every time we have an economic cycle. We ought to be able to build a budget that does well in good times and that can exist in the less-good times. I’m hoping we can use this opportunity to make those structural changes.”

To make these changes, Howell called on unity between political parties and government branches.

“Whether we can get this done between now and January remains to be seen,” he said. “It’s going to take support of the governor, it’s going to take support of the Senate, as well as the House.”

Howell suggested both parties must be willing to compromise. As examples, he cited a pay raise cap for teachers, a position that Democrats previously balked at, and the possibility of reducing the number of
prison inmates, which is traditionally opposed by Republicans.

“Maybe this is an area where we can work together,” Howell said. “Governor Tim Kaine is already looking into ways to reduce budget costs.”

Howell said that Kaine has asked all government agencies to give him a projection of how they would cut their spending by five to 15 percent over the next three years.

“They’re not – and this is to his credit – they’re not proposing we go across the board and cut everybody seven-and-a-half percent,” Howell said. “For example, he said we can’t cut what we give to local governments for education K-12 in this fiscal year because they’ve already developed contracts and they’re already spending money based on what we told them we would give them.”

Howell was quick to point out that although Kaine refused to cut funds for K-12 education this fiscal year, cuts for next year should be expected.

“I don’t think our education is going to be exempt,” Howell said. “I think everyone’s going to feel [it].”

Educational policy was at the forefront of the minds of Mason students and faculty members who asked questions once Howell opened the floor. One of the first questions Howell was asked concerned how these budget cuts would affect Mason.

“I can’t tell you how the cuts are going to impact this university because I don’t know if anybody’s announced what they’re going to be for George Mason and how they’ll compare to other universities,” Howell said. “Some may get a deeper cut than others, because some, perhaps, can handle it. But I do think it’s safe to say that, more than likely, your tuition is going to go up, even more than it might have otherwise.”

Without downplaying the seriousness of the situation, Howell also expressed optimism about Virginia’s ability to endure and overcome the current crisis, citing Forbes.com’s recognition of Virginia as the best-managed state and best state to do business in for the past three years.

“We’re in mighty good shape compared to other states,” Howell said.

Community Schools and Vocational Training – College Affordability Part 3

When it comes to community and vocational schools, Obama sees them as essential to providing local students with the skills they need and intends to reward community colleges that increase their graduates and transfers to four-year colleges. McCain focuses on retraining workers.

Read more about how the two candidates intend to support community schools and how they want to implement vocational training in Part 3 of Mason Votes’ series on college affordability.

Taking the Cost of Education out of Taxes – College Affordability Part 2

Tax credit programs allow those applicable for a credit to subtract the value from their annual tax payment, or claim it as a deduction. So if you were required to pay $5,000 in taxes this year and you received the $4,000 tax credit that Obama proposes for students, you would only have to pay $1,000 in taxes. Many politicians, including Obama, favor providing tax credits to college students in exchange for public service. However, some college administrators state that tax credit programs force an increase in overall student tuition.

Obama wants to increase tax credits, McCain states he wants to simplify them, but by simplify, does he mean eliminate? Find out in Part 2 of Mason Votes series on College Affordability.