NKU Political Science is for Free Thinkers

A Poli Sci/English major from Clemson University with a Ph.D. in Political Science from Vanderbilt, Prof. Ryan Teten is an innovator in political studies. For example, he's using Jon Stewart's parody of a civics textbook, America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction, as an entry-level textbook.

"Traditional texts? Kind of unfriendly," Teten says. "I like to experiment by incorporating material from sources such as The Daily Show, YouTube, South Park and MySpace to keep things interesting. They provide information, as well as points of view similar to the students. Humor is always a good way to teach and Stewart has worked really well."

Teten says most students' perceptions of political science - that it is boring and unchanging - are untrue.

"It's an exciting time to study politics because it's in such a state of flux," Teten says. "Sure, nothing changed for about 160 years. But in the last 10, I've had to throw out all my undergrad and graduate notes. So much is changing that will have a far-reaching impact on our lives. In 2008, I'll have to toss all my 2004 notes."

Still, Teten hasn't abandoned more conventional teaching tools.

"We have some amazing internship and independent study opportunities, and I really like getting students involved in the work that I do," he says. "I've even gotten grants to pay them to assist in my research. Last year, I took an undergrad to a national conference where he presented a paper we coauthored."

Teten is just one in a department full of free thinkers.

"We have these 394 classes, in which professors teach a semester of whatever is their particular interest, everything from 9/11 to food and politics to the politics of passion," he says. "They are especially engaging because the professor is learning right along with the students. You're not locked in to a list of boring subjects at NKU."

And this, according to Teten, is what gives NKU's political science curriculum its edge, a variety of topics, presented by a diverse and highly qualified faculty, offering students lots of options.