USD Magazine, Fall 1996

A concert of American music complemented the academic offerings during debate week.

Political science and communications studies professors held a panel discussion following the Oct. 6 debate.

Guest lecturer Carlos Juarez

LIVING LABORATORY discussed the history of Mexican elections.

enior Brad Rossin and junior Scott Raub were among the many stu– dents who believed that hosting a presidential debate at USD would provide a great learning experience. But these two political science majors took the opportunity one step farther and turned the event into a teaching experience as well.

"We're there to help the students make the con– nection between the candidates and the issues they stand for," says Raub, who explains that everyone in Norton's class is required to do a research project or volunteer work. "Education is the key to letting these students know how politics affects their lives." Norton would be proud to hear her student utter those words, as she and many other USD professors strived at every turn to use the debate as a demonstration of how closely connected politics is to every student's future. Through unique debate-related courses and an array of political speakers, events and projects, USD students in the weeks leading up to the debate entered a living laboratory of political analysis and learning.

Rossin and Raub, both students in professor Noelle Norton's "Parties and Politics" class, spent the fall semester teaching stu– dents at nearby Kearny High School about debates, candidates, political parties and the media's role in elections. Although Rossin is vice president of USD's College Republicans and Raub worked for the Clinton/Gore campaign, both say their teaching role tran– scends party allegiances.

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