Harper starts course to encourage political debate

Political talk is often discouraged in group social situations. Harper College is encouraging it.

The college this summer will launch a new open-to-all course that uses current political events as the syllabus, urging discussion about everything from the national debt and the 2012 presidential nominations, to the war in Iraq and the global economy. The hope, instructor Dennis Bulat said, is for students to share their views — whatever they may be — on the current political landscape and learn from each other.

“As each student contributes, it will help others probe attitudes and opinions about the subject matter,” said Bulat, who got the idea after interest surged in a presidential election course he was teaching and students suggested he keep the political discussions going.

The course’s format simulates a Sunday morning news program, Bulat says, in that each session introduces a current events topic and then provides time for students to discuss issues.

Classes wrap up with a lesson on a related historical subject — a way for Bulat to offer up past events as possible solutions, or lessons learned, for contemporary problems.

The class will be offered in a one-time two-hour format at 10 a.m. Monday, July 11; a monthly option will follow in the fall. The classes are noncredit and offered through Harper’s Continuing Education Lifelong Learning Institute — a program geared toward students ages 55 and older. Anyone older than 16, however, is eligible to enroll.

The cost is $40 for one session and $89 for all four fall sessions, with discounts available for Lifelong Learning Institute members.

To register, call (847) 925-6300 or visit harpercollege.edu/ce.