[barb02]

I teach an introductory honors class in American Government at my university. About 10,000 students are enrolled here. It is a small class consisting of only 13 students. Most of them are first year students. These students are supposed to be the best and the brightest. I typically love teaching these classes.

On the first day of class (Monday) I asked the students to fill out a short survey. It was anonymous. One of the questions I asked them was to name the 2 senators from Illinois. Only five of the students could do this. I was not surprised that they did not know Senator Durban. But three of the students could not name either senator. Barack Obama is from Illinois. How could they not know this??? Then three of the students did not know who the vice president is. I am shocked. Now I am getting sick to my stomach. Six of the students could not name the Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates, although six of them did name Obama. Finally only ten of the students could identify McCain, although one student did know that the Republican candidate was someone named John. I don't know about all of you, but both scare and frustrate me. Oh, I should also mention that five students could not list their favorite book or the last book they read for pleasure. Of course, they all had a favorite movie.

Class tomorrow sure is going to be interesting! I think the "mean" professor is going to make an appearance. How can I get these kids to care?

[Gazelle]

Tell 'em that they've all started out the class with an "F" and they'll now have to work to bring their grade up!

[FinLady]

Too bad you have an odd number of students. Otherwise I'd suggest maybe doing a project involving two teams trying to explain the political process we have.

[SandyC]

I would have made them watch the DC and the RC with a full report, written, double spaced starting tonight. Now, just because you didn't do this today, rest assured that CNN has each speech on their site for viewing. Every college kid has an Internet account. lol

Seriously, I do know what you mean. When I was teaching college the students amazed me at how little they knew or how much they THOUGHT they knew. Fun times.

[wkikta]

It does not surprise me. Anyone who has watched Jay Leno on his Jay Walking knows that people don't know much of anything these days, even the Education Majors.

[dmplaura]

Honestly, I'm appalled that so few young adults seem to read these days.

In my experience at least. I will mention on IM programs, the phone, wherever, "Ok I'm going to take off for a bit, going to read", and that's usually met with "YOU READ?? " Yeah, what a crazy notion! I read for pleasure!

[weegot5kiz]

I like the ideas of some sort of project or paper, maybe assign each side with rep and dem and let them debate the platforms the candidates are running on.. and maybe the odd person out can work on both or take a few and create an independent party and their view of things?,

it is sad when my specially challenged child knows more about politics, this child said when he got his state ID and reg to vote he would never ever vote, but now as he watches the news on the tv, he told me the other day he wants to vote and will I show him how to vote, I said yes.

I must admit when my kids were allowed calculators to do their math at school I raised heII, and when they tried to do away with civics and a few other classes I was speaking against it and so far as of last yr all those key programs are still intact, but it would appear they didn't grasp much in civics, I think the politicians have something to do with this,

It use to be an honor to be a senator or rep of the house, now its a dang good paying job with plenty of perks, hard to take interest in something you may not respect, but as I have kept telling my son, you need to vote and speak your mind through voting find a person you believe in and vote for them,
and I explained how if the one in office is falling short of his promises or what he said he would do you can also send a mess by voting the old dead wood out of office

Sorry Barb to wander, it irks me they take no pride in knowledge, one must never stop seeking knowledge

[hjmom]

Gosh, these kids must not watch ANY tv, how could they miss that!!

[sugarboo]

What scares me is that they intend to vote without educating themselves on the issues or the candidates.

[JustWeave]

That is scary. Sadly I'm not sure I would pass your survey either. My biggest problem is while I do read my memory isn't good.

I homeschool DD and she is going to graduate this year. One of her classes is American Government and Economics. I'm not sure if she needs the credit but I'm not letting her drop the class. It is important to me that she is exposed to this information one more time before going out into the world.