Politics 101

Election-year-only class gives students

political insiders’ view

By Lori Devine
The Collegian

November Elections are Tuesday and students in Communication 188T are listening to candidates and their spokespeople state their platforms and answer questions that students have regarding political campaigning.

The course is the brainchild of Sally Tannenbaum, an assistant professor at Fresno State.

Tannenbaum developed the idea for the class when she was a graduate student.

Tannenbaum believed a course was needed that synthesized both “real world” applications of political campaign practitioners with the educational theory presented in textbooks.

The course was first offered two years ago and is only offered during gubernatorial or presidential election seasons.

As part of the course requirements, students must complete 15 hours of service-learning on any political campaign that interests them. They can choose to work with a political party, for a ballot measure or on a political campaign directly.

Tannenbaum said the course offers many students opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. These internships are, at the very least, good resume builders, and sometimes even lead to jobs.

“In the past, students who have participated in the course have been flown up to Sacramento when their candidate won the election. Another student was flown to Las Vegas to walk precincts for her candidate. [Students are] afforded lots of opportunities,” Tannenbaum said.

Rarely are students able to have access to so many political figures at once, including; Congressional candidate T.J. Cox; a spokesperson from Congressman George Radanovich’s office; Fresno City Council contenders Blong Xiong and Scott Miller; Congressional candidate Steven Haze; a spokesperson from Assemblywoman Nicole Parra’s campaign, as well as a spokesperson for her opponent, Danny Gilmore.

Communication major Sarita Field, 19, said, “It has shown me, as far as campaigning goes, it is not about what is right or wrong. It’s about winning.”

Another communication major, Grace Merritt, 22, said she loves political science. “It is hard to figure out what is going on unless you take a class on it.”

Merritt has decided to work on the Fresno City Council race.

“I chose to work with Scott Miller’s campaign because he took a stance. He was passionate.”

Merritt also hopes to support Governor Schwarzenegger’s campaign.

Tannenbaum has been elected to public office three times and has served as a political consultant on several campaigns. Her insight and enthusiasm for politics, particularly the campaign process, has created a course that appeals to many majors, not just those studying communication.

Those who wish to take the class will need to wait until the next big election, in fall 2008.

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