Learning Liberties: The Role of Educational Institutions and Programs in Determining Political Tolerance
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Political Science
Minor
Pre-law
Institution
Northern Kentucky University
KY House District #
64
KY Senate District #
17
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Shauna Reilly, PhD.
Abstract
Emily Ann Israelson
Dr. Reilly
Department of Political Science
Learning Liberties: The Role of Educational Institutions and Programs in Determining Political Tolerance
The relationship between higher levels of education and political tolerance has been well documented among scholars for decades. Building on theories that suggest that enhanced cognitive abilities are responsible for this increase in tolerance, we hypothesized that certain educational institutions would increase individuals’ willingness to extend civil liberties to nonconformist groups. We found that high school civics programs lead to an increase in tolerance, and that students who majored in the arts and social sciences in college were also more likely to be politically tolerant. Altogether, these findings suggest that tolerance is directly related to educational programs from which students can learn democratic values.
Learning Liberties: The Role of Educational Institutions and Programs in Determining Political Tolerance
Emily Ann Israelson
Dr. Reilly
Department of Political Science
Learning Liberties: The Role of Educational Institutions and Programs in Determining Political Tolerance
The relationship between higher levels of education and political tolerance has been well documented among scholars for decades. Building on theories that suggest that enhanced cognitive abilities are responsible for this increase in tolerance, we hypothesized that certain educational institutions would increase individuals’ willingness to extend civil liberties to nonconformist groups. We found that high school civics programs lead to an increase in tolerance, and that students who majored in the arts and social sciences in college were also more likely to be politically tolerant. Altogether, these findings suggest that tolerance is directly related to educational programs from which students can learn democratic values.