New Harper course promotes political chatter
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 subjects will change based on the ebb and flow of world and national news and real-time events.
The hope, instructor Dennis Bulat says, 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,” says 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. “This class will allow everyone to share information and data from many sources and political points of view.”
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 non-credit, and offered through Harper's Continuing Education Lifelong Learning Institute – a program geared toward students ages 55 and older. Anyone over age 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 www.harpercollege.edu/ce.
Bulat has eight years of experience teaching continuing education history courses at various colleges.