LifeLong Learning-San Marcos

Course Description

Over the past decade, I have grown increasingly frustrated, angry, sad, scared, and exhausted about how we talk about politics and governing. Political leaders of both parties rely on soundbites designed not to inform, but to mislead and oversimplify issues. Many Americans believe those that disagree with them are evil and un-American. Families and friends have been torn apart. The old adage of not talking about politics or religion with those we love has too often resulted in not talking at all to family members and friends.

 

While we deserve better from our leaders, we as citizens have an important role to play in changing how we talk about politics and the issues. Most important, we need to listen – truly listen – to those who hold different beliefs and opinions and seek understanding about why. We need to respect, not demonize, those whose beliefs are different from our own.

 

This course is my attempt to do something… to bring citizens together to hold respectful conversations about several top election issues. Our class sessions will focus on the following:

• Session 1 (Sept. 23) – Introductions, Political Division, Finding Facts

• Session 2 (Sept. 30) – The Economy

• Session 3 (Oct. 7) – Immigration

Oct. 14 – Holiday

• Session 4 (Oct. 21) – Abortion

• Session 5 (Oct. 28) – Elections

 

These are topics with components that resonate in different ways with each of us based on our beliefs, experiences, perspectives, political party, and faith. The Friday before each class, I will email what I have discovered as a starting point. I encourage participants to invest time each week investigating these topics and collecting well-sourced information to enhance our discussions. We’ll use the facts to challenge our own positions, better understand those with opposing points of view, and scrutinize statements of those running for office.

 

I hope you will join us for these challenging sessions… no matter your political affiliations. We won’t solve the division in our country, but we can use this course to better understand the complexity of the issues facing our nation and respect that good people can honestly disagree on what should be done to address them.

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The Presenter

With over 30 years of experience in education-related organizations, Stephanie has extensive experience in policymaking, board development, advocacy, strategic communications, and grant writing. Stephanie served as the policy analyst for the Texas Senate Education Committee; helped launch the State Board for Educator Certification, serving as director of policy and planning; worked for an education think tank and other nonprofits; taught in the principal preparation program at Texas State University; and assisted College of Education faculty members in securing funding for their research. Stephanie is the assistant director of LifeLong Learning-San Marcos and represents San Marcos citizens on the Police Chief’s Advisory Panel.