LCC social science instructor Steve Candee delivers a lecture to his U.S. Government and Politics class. (Photo by Rebekah Sapp)
Politics is a word that evokes images of old men in business suits and boring ties — at least to most people. However, what if there was a way to bring those images closer to home?
In LCC social science instructor Steve Candee’s U.S. Government and Politics class, the inner workings of the American government are broken down in an understandable way, and students are shown how each citizen can play a part in it.
Candee said it is important for each person to “understand their rights as citizens, as well their responsibilities.”
The course not only focuses on the American governmental structure, but how each person can ensure representation.
Student Evan Milton said Candee, “makes me feel like I can do more to change my government.”
Milton said he took the class to gain a deeper understanding of the U.S. political system, and because of the class he contacted his senator for the first time in his life.
Candee’s assistant, Jason Conn, sits in on the class because he enjoys the group discussions and the variety of students who participate.
He said it is good when people “don’t agree” and that being exposed to new perspectives “is never bad.” Conn believes that in America, “we (have) one of the few democracies that protects dissenting opinions, which is one of the key reasons our government is successful.”
“We are one of the most diverse countries on Earth and are still able to get along, which is pretty impressive,” Conn said.
After teaching U.S. Government and Politics for the last 25 years, Candee has a wealth of experience in the field. He believes it is important to not only get the information across, but to engage in a conversation with the students.
That is why Candee appreciates the diverse students that take his class, who range from Ron Paul supporters and staunch liberals. Candee loves the debate between students and encourages them to “express themselves and form educated opinions.”
Rick Skinner, a social work major, said Candee “makes politics interesting because he is so passionate on the subject.”
He said Candee is a “good instructor” and that he “is not biased,” instead presenting the facts and letting the students interpret them how they will.
Currently, the class is discussing the executive bureaucracy, and how the president and executive agencies enforce laws and how they’ve broken them.
Candee teaches the positives of the U.S. government, but also the problems citizens can take an active part in fixing.
