By Serin Sarsour
With a new generation entering the political sphere and becoming more involved with systems of government, the new Political Science Club at Brooklyn College aims to help students gain adequate skills to participate in politics.
“The club helps students that are interested in navigating the political science major at Brooklyn College. It allows students to see possible career routes once they graduate. However, [it] not only gives accessibility to political science students, but [to] all students to learn about politics and ways to get involved in their community,” said Sahar Husain, a senior at BC and the president of the Political Science Club.
Before entering Brooklyn College, majoring in political science wasn’t even on Husain’s radar. However, after taking several political science courses at the college, she knew the field was right for her as she enjoyed the combination of history, current events, and civic engagement that the major had to offer. Husain also noted that the chairman of the Political Science Department, Ken Estey, who has a focus on studies in religion, inspired her to reach new heights and start up the club.
Along with helping students who are majoring in political science navigate the department through their undergraduate years at BC and beyond, the Political Science Club will be a resource to students who want to expand their knowledge of politics, which Husain believes is imperative to have in this day and age.
“This club at BC allows students to engage in political discussions, gain valuable skills, and participate in events promoting civic engagement,” said Nilgun Gungor, the treasurer of the Political Science Club and a BC senior. “I appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of politics and its impact on various aspects of society.” Gungor also noted that being a fundamental part of the club allows her to combine her personal passion for politics with her financial skills to help the club operate to the best of its ability.
The leaders of the Political Science Club have tried to get the wheels turning since last spring. After completing the process of filling out the necessary paperwork and attending various meetings, the club is now prepared to take on the fall semester.
For Rachel Shumunov, the club connector for the Political Science Club and a junior at BC, her passion for politics stems from a young age, when she found herself drawn to how governments function and how they, in turn, influence the lives of the citizens they serve. “Growing up in a world that constantly experiences political change and social issues, I found myself driven to explore the underlying causes and potential solutions,” she said. Shumunov also highlighted that from the guidance of multiple professors at BC, she discovered that political science is more than just an academic discipline, but also “a pathway to understanding and actively participating in the world around us.”
The club intends to host events related to both political science and civic engagement education, promoting issues like voting rights. The events will also serve as a way for students majoring in political science to network with each other and throughout the department itself. With a jam-packed lineup of events for the semester, the club is looking forward to hosting debate panels, film screenings, advocacy workshops, community outreach activities, and more, all of which will allow students to think critically and engage with the relevant topics and issues at hand.
The club’s first event is pending approval for the end of October, with an assemblywoman as a guest speaker, whose name is to be announced. The assemblywoman “will delve into her extensive political journey, shedding light on her role, the path she took to secure her position, and offering valuable insights on how others can actively engage in politics,” Shumunov told The Vanguard.
To stay updated on events from the Political Science Club, interested students can follow the Instagram page @bc_polisci. The club also aspires to collaborate with other clubs and departments on campus to create a more inclusive space and further help students access a variety of enriching experiences during their time at BC.
“I hope for a lot of growth for the future of the club,” Husain said. “I hope this club can continue to develop and create positive change on the Brooklyn College campus. I aspire for us [to] establish more events that provide our peers with the most beneficial tools that they will need throughout their lives.”