Political Science Students "Broadcast" European News
If you’re trying to make sense of the Greek debt crisis (like most of us!) or want to know a little more about what impels Europe’s key leaders, Professor Brian Roberts’s class on Contemporary European Politics is a great place to start.
Now, even for those not enrolled in the course (or at the College, for that matter), it’s still possible to learn something about these topics—thanks to innovative approaches to teaching and the savvy use of media technology.
Last spring, among more traditional assignments and tests, Dr. Roberts handed his eight students the following task: Prepare for and produce a videotaped panel discussion on a current topic, in a style similar to political talk shows (minus the partisan posturing and political invective that sometimes characterize national television).
“This assignment is an example of the kind of active learning we try to integrate into our courses,” Roberts says. While the students were provided with specific topics, they had significant leeway to delve into various aspects of the project. They completed research, established the order of the discussion, and practiced the discussion prior to live taping.
Dubbed Europe Today, five “talk show” videos, complete with introductory graphics and music, were produced with the help of Larry Charlston from Media Services. They cover the following subjects: Greece’s economic woes and the EU bailout; EU sanctions on Iran; and leadership profiles of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and (former) French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
For these televised discussions—which were later shown on the large screen in the Concourse—students switched roles between talk show host or interviewer and commentator or interviewee. It wasn’t easy, but “it was one of the most rewarding assignments I have ever had to complete,” says Madeline Grendel (C’13),
Ms. Grendel lists several factors which she and her classmates appreciated: addressing “real-life situations, not made-up scenarios,” practicing interviewing and discussion skills, and being exposed to “the element of professionalism” required by the format.
The students were evaluated as a group as well as individually, according to three broad criteria: organization, development of ideas, and delivery/camera presence. Roberts honed in on aspects such as logical flow of the discussion and smooth transitions, provision of sufficient context for listeners, along with accuracy of factual information, and confident, professional articulation.
“I believe it is an excellent alternative to a traditional graded discussion in the classroom or a PowerPoint presentation,” Roberts says. “The activity builds information literacy, interpersonal communication, and critical and analytical reasoning skills.”
Watch a couple of these shows yourself . . . we think you’ll agree!
Links to the videos: EU Sanctions on Iran European Leadership – France European Leadership – Britain Europe Greece