Using the 2008 Presidential Election to Explore Dealing with Differences in a First-Year Seminar Bryon K. Clark Dean, School of Graduate & University Studies and Professor of Biological Sciences

 4,000 students  40-45% first generation  >30% Native American  40-45% must remediate  75% OK, 20% TX residents  85% receive financial aid  Centennial in 2009  Regional Univ. Syst. Okla.  Carnegie II School  44 undergraduate degrees  6 graduate degrees  Oversight by two boards

College Success 2-hour course Academic skills Personal life management ca. 500 students per year sections Targeted groups of students Context of Presentation Used 2008 Presidential Election Candidates’ position on issues Campaign ads & talking points Mock vote and discussion Pre and post course surveys Student evaluation of teaching

COLLEGE SUCCESS ACADEMIC SKILLS  Note taking  Reading Skills  Study Skills  Memory  Testing Taking  Information Retrieval  Oral and Written Communication  Academic Choices and Requirements

COLLEGE SUCCESS PERSONAL LIFE MANAGEMENT  Why go to college?  Learning styles and what you value  Decision making  Relationships with others  Money  Wellness

COLLEGE SUCCESS PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS ACTIVITIES  Discussion of positions taken by candidate  Campaigns advertisements and statements  Views on political process  Mock vote and discussion RealityPerception

Southeastern’s Mission …students will develop skills and habits that promote values for career preparation, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning.

SELECTED STUDENT COMMENTS  “I enjoyed the discussions about the Presidential election and the results of the mock vote.”  “I thought Dr. Clark did an excellent job dealing with controversial issues discussed in class. Most have no right or wrong answer and elicit strong emotions. I doubt that anybody changed their views but at least we were able to discuss issues openly and not be intimidated by other students or the instructor.”  “I wish more classes were structured this way!”  “I am a quiet person and do not like to talk in front of others. Outside of class, Dr. Clark was very supportive and encouraged me to say what I was thinking. Finally, I got up the courage and said something in class. Thank you :>)”

CONCLUSIONS Students appeared to be:  more enthusiastic about a different course format,  more interactive in discussions,  more engaged in the course,  more accepting of people with different views, and  more reflective about preconceptions. To be determined—will the experience:  promote responsible and engaged citizenship in students?

Connect all the dots with four straight lines without lifting your pen/pencil off the paper; lines may cross each other.

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