How Pre-College U.S. Politics Courses Shape Future Leaders
Summary:
- Americans agree: it’s time for a new, younger generation of politicians.
- Meet two young women who studied politics in college and went on to political careers.
- Learn the essential attributes of leadership required for a career in politics.
- Discover online political and government courses designed for motivated teens.
Perhaps you’re like a lot of young people who think politics is a fraught subject and the domain of older people. Or, you may be a high school student who yearns for a future in the field; particularly because you wish to make a difference in your country and/or community.
Ever hear the names Elise Stfanik and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? Both are young, successful U.S. congresswomen. Stefanik was the youngest woman ever elected to Congress in the history of the nation. She represents New York’s 21st district, and from 2006-2009 served in the West Wing under President George W. Bush. Ocasio-Cortez recently replaced Stafamik as the youngest woman ever to be elected to Congress at the age of 29. She was previously an educator in New York City and founded a publishing house to promote positive stories of the Bronx in children’s literature.
Did they study politics? Yes, for both. Stefanik graduated from Harvard with a degree in government in 2006. She served as vice president of the Harvard Institute of Politics in 2004. Ocasio-Cortez double-majored in international relations and economics, graduating cum laude from Boston University.
Although both women were young when they started their political careers, the grounding they received in leadership while still in college stood them in good standing. Today, these kinds of government college prep programs are available to high school students like you. And with most Americans hoping for younger politicians, and a maximum age limit for elected officials, the future looks positive for young, knowledgeable political aspirants.
But first let’s look at the qualities they’ll need to succeed.
What are the qualities of leadership in politics?
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, people who assume leadership roles in politics should possess qualities such as:
- Courage
- Strength
- Effective communication skills
- Knowledge
- Judgment
- Integrity
- Interpersonal skills
- Vision and the power to implement that vision
Next, let’s review what’s available to teens with a passion for politics from leading universities.
Where can politically-motivated teens begin to develop these leadership skills?
Georgetown University is a Prelum partner school and offers politics programs for high school students. Explore what one course has to offer. U.S. Politics and Government: To Form a More Perfect Union answers key questions, such as:
- What’s the relationship between politics and government?
- What are the major sources that drive political beliefs and behaviors?
- How do political parties work?
- How was the U.S. Constitution conceived and ratified?
- How does the government address issues like climate change, economic inequality, and racial injustice?
- How does the media influence political controversy?
Other constitutional law programs for high school students are available through William & Mary’s Pre-College Online Program. Constitutional Law: We The People is essential for anyone who seeks a future in law. It addresses topics, such as:
- How lawyers and judges rely on the constitution to support their cases.
- How judges interpret constitutional rights and the different views on this topic.
- Federalism’s importance to the constitution and how amendments limit federal authority.
- How the Bill of Rights protects individual liberties from government interference.
- Maybury versus Madison: a famous case that determined the judiciary’s role in how the law is interpreted.
Another great option is Rice University law and government courses for teens. The program consists of two courses that deliver a comprehensive learning experience on the legal system, one of which is the course on global affairs.
Global Affairs: Exploring Changing Political Systems delves into areas that allow you to:
- Analyze different types of government systems; democratic, semi-democratic, and authoritarian models.
- Explore government repression and human rights violations under non-democratic governments.
- Discover how human rights and civil liberties can erode under democratic governments.
- Identify the key democratic institutions and guardrails protecting democracy in various countries.
All of the above examples and Prelum partner programs that offer government college prep programs provide insights into the types of political careers available. Want a future in politics? Get started today!
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