We are just 20 days away from the upcoming presidential election, and the political atmosphere is intensifying. The surge of campaign posters, political ads, and text messages are daily reminders of how close we are. Depending on the subject matter you teach, you may already be engaging students in discussions about politics, analyzing election ads, or diving into historical voting trends. For many of our students, this election represents a milestone—their very first chance to vote. This is an important moment for them to exercise their civic duty and recognize the essential role they play in shaping our political system.
If you’re encouraging your students to vote, you might consider sharing this voting research guide from the GCC Library and a nonpartisan voting guide sponsored by Youth Service America. This can empower students to make informed choices as they step into the voting booth for the first time, helping them feel more confident in their decisions.
In addition, the GCC Library is offering a workshop for students on “Breaking Down the Ballot: Decoding Propositions & Finding Candidate Information.” The online workshop is October 28, 10:00 a.m. The in-person workshop is October 31, 10:00 a.m. Learn more and share this info with your students.
While not everyone incorporates discussions about elections directly into their courses, it’s likely that the political climate will find its way into classrooms, especially as emotions rise closer to election day. Some of these feelings may seep into discussions that aren’t even directly related to politics, providing valuable opportunities for students to critically examine different viewpoints, practice respectful discourse, and reflect on their own beliefs.
In anticipation of the conversations that may unfold in the next few weeks, both before and after the election, we’ve gathered a few resources that can help guide these discussions:
- Election Resource Guide from Temple University
- Difficult Discussions Resource from Georgetown
- Elections as Teachable Moments from AAC&U
- Preparing To Teach During the 2024 Election
We hope these resources will be useful to you as you create classroom environments that encourage thoughtful, respectful dialogue. As faculty, we have a unique opportunity to help students not only engage with the political process but also to listen, learn, and reflect on the diverse perspectives that enrich our democracy.