TIP Talks originated at North Central in 2013 from Dr. Muck’s variation of the well-known TED Talks. The idea was to engage the community, not only on a campus-wide basis, but also extending beyond the college to the outside community. The political science department began these talks not knowing how much the event would actually expand, agreeing to commit to the talks once a term for the first year and see how they did.
Now with the program delving into its third year, the TIP Talks have been known to gather as many as one hundred people every term. These talks are based around current topics in politics, but on a more analytical level they are creating an experiential learning environment that differs from what students gain from a traditional classroom.
These talks have also expanded outside of the political science department, now welcoming professors from other departments to join in the presentation, the most recent featuring Dr. Esra Tasdelen, coordinator of Middle Eastern and North African Studies.
The TIP Talks have seen an enormous amount of support from campus and the administration here at North Central. Each of the talks are now recorded and posted on a YouTube channel, the specific channel name is NCCPSC, receiving hits worldwide and making a distinct cultural impact.
The political science department asks its students to bring peers that are not necessarily involved in political science here at NCC. Because of this, a more immediate impact on campus is made by engaging students from outside the political science department to participate in this event, sometimes even compelling them to enroll in political science courses later on.
Now thought of as one of the hallmarks of the political science program, they are still continuing as popular as ever. The most recent of TIP Talks examined and explained issues dealing with ISIS, celebrities running for office, Syrian refugees, and common civil rights issues in the United States.
To some, the words ‘political’ and ‘science’ used together may seem a little dry; however, with the way the TIP Talks are implemented, the minds of attendees might change. Using #TIPTalks, live-tweeting about the presentations is highly encouraged from anyone and everyone that attends. That hashtag has even been used by some following the talk that were not in attendance, who are making outside connections back to the issues presented.
Seeing firsthand how the community reacts to these talks reflects how much they have actually impacted campus life. This interactive, modern setting moves students past conventional teaching tactics and in turn generates a comfortable environment in which participants can stay informed.
During an interview, Dr. Chod was asked if there was anything she would like to say about these influential talks; she responded with encouragement for any student that finds an interest in current events to attend, reflecting on the fact that each presentation could not only emulate how each speaker presents as a teacher, but it could also open a door into political science that may not have been opened otherwise.
