2008 Woodie Awards
Teachers talk democracy
Erin Miller
Issue date: 9/20/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
A sparse 25-person crowd gathered in Withers Plowden Auditorium Thursday, Sept. 14, to hear three Winthrop University professors discuss the spread of democracy in Africa.
Frank Ardaiolo, vice president for student life, Jennifer Leigh Disney, assistant professor of political science and Opolot Okia, assistant professor of history, talkedabout African countries and the their struggle for democracy in "Developing Democracy on the Periphery."
"We hear about [democracy], we write about it, we are fighting for it," Ardaiolo said during his speech on Liberia.
The African countries of Liberia, Mozambique and Uganda were highlighted in the lecture, each having their own specific formation of democracy.
Many of the African countries discussed are struggling to find a democracy that works for them
"Democracy comes with great cost and effort," Maye said. "It's not as easy when a leadership has been set up for years."
The lecture had many points urging a broader understanding of types of democracy. Each of the experts focused on explaining the many variants of this well-known term including representative, economic and participatory democracies.
Marchello Cureton, a senior political science major and president of the Phoenix History Club, sponsor of the event said students should ask themselves how we exist in the new global world and become more aware and cosmopolitan.
"Look outside of America and outside of the individual, think less about the self and more about society at large," he said. "We can do this through open discussions and listening to other people's views."
The professors also recommend that students get involved in global politics and the United States' attempt to spread democracy to underdeveloped nations.
"Take courses in various departments to learn more about these issues," Disney said. "Explore the many nation-states and cultures outside of America."
Some students found the information surprising.
"I wasn't aware of the ongoing situations and all of the worldwide problems with democracy," Kathryn Flinn, a senior early childhood education major, said. "The only way anything's ever going to change is if people are aware of the impact the spread of democracy has on developing nations.
Frank Ardaiolo, vice president for student life, Jennifer Leigh Disney, assistant professor of political science and Opolot Okia, assistant professor of history, talkedabout African countries and the their struggle for democracy in "Developing Democracy on the Periphery."
"We hear about [democracy], we write about it, we are fighting for it," Ardaiolo said during his speech on Liberia.
The African countries of Liberia, Mozambique and Uganda were highlighted in the lecture, each having their own specific formation of democracy.
Many of the African countries discussed are struggling to find a democracy that works for them
"Democracy comes with great cost and effort," Maye said. "It's not as easy when a leadership has been set up for years."
The lecture had many points urging a broader understanding of types of democracy. Each of the experts focused on explaining the many variants of this well-known term including representative, economic and participatory democracies.
Marchello Cureton, a senior political science major and president of the Phoenix History Club, sponsor of the event said students should ask themselves how we exist in the new global world and become more aware and cosmopolitan.
"Look outside of America and outside of the individual, think less about the self and more about society at large," he said. "We can do this through open discussions and listening to other people's views."
The professors also recommend that students get involved in global politics and the United States' attempt to spread democracy to underdeveloped nations.
"Take courses in various departments to learn more about these issues," Disney said. "Explore the many nation-states and cultures outside of America."
Some students found the information surprising.
"I wasn't aware of the ongoing situations and all of the worldwide problems with democracy," Kathryn Flinn, a senior early childhood education major, said. "The only way anything's ever going to change is if people are aware of the impact the spread of democracy has on developing nations.
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