WU professor encourages civil discourse during political discussions

Palmetto Report

(Rock Hill, S.C.) -- With South Carolina’s primary out of the way and the November presidential election quickly approaching, politics has been a hot topic lately in many households.

Whether it was one of Tom Steyer’s numerous online ads prior to the primary or an uncle that brings it up the election in passing, it’s nearly impossible to escape the conversation of politics.

These discussions can be especially hard for students, considering college is a time when people are figuring out their political beliefs, which can mean turning away from the belief system one was brought up in.

“I think the stereotype is that a lot of people come to college and become more liberal,” said Dr. John Holder, political science professor at Winthrop University, who appeared on the Palmetto Report podcast. “What we’re trying to teach you to do in college is not to be more liberal, but to be more open-minded. We’re exposing you to things you haven’t heard before and ideas you haven’t heard about before.”