Many students know all the words to Rihanna’s latest hit single and can name the top 10 ranked SEC football teams.  But do they know all about John McCain’s stand on the mortgage bailout? Many students do not know as much as they could about current political issues. “I only mildly know the issues of the election. I know the basic philosophies of each candidate,” said Robert Vennen, animal science junior. It is our civic duty to vote as Americans, and that means knowing what you’re voting for and why you’re voting for it. Students need to take it upon themselves to research the issues and the candidates before stepping into the voting booth Nov. 4. It seems students often vote the way their parents vote. This is probably in part because they have been brought up with the same morals as their parents and have similar beliefs. We respect our parents’ opinions, and it makes sense that their opinions would sway students’ opinions. Even if a student’s beliefs and morals are similar to their parents’, they should take it upon themselves to research the issues. After researching the issues, students are well-informed enough to make their own decisions. Researching the issues isn’t as impossible or as tiresome as one may think. Read. Read newspapers and online journals. Read the other sections of this newspaper.Most students walk by the library at some point during the day. On their way past it, they should grab a copy of one of the many newspapers provide. Even if they don’t have much time, they can skim the front page. That’s where the biggest news is printed. Students can also read other papers online daily without a subscription. To read something that goes a bit deeper than the issues of that day, read an online journal. The New Republic is provided for Democrats, and The National Review is provided for Republicans. For a taste of all the parties, try Slate or The Atlantic. Read about all sides of an issue. Learning to understand what the parties stand for is an important part of the political process. Students shouldn’t just read articles about the candidate they support. According to Stephen E. Frantzich, a political science professor at the U.S Naval Academy, many of his students read articles off the Internet. They click on articles that interest them and support their own beliefs. Then when it comes time to debate in class, students don’t have enough knowledge of the opposing candidate to back their arguments.  As one of their electives, students should take a semester of a political science. James Stoner, political science professor, said taking a class in political science is a great way to learn more about politics because the courses don’t just reiterate what’s being said on the radio and TV. “We aren’t [Bill] O’Reilly with exams,” Stoner said.  Stoner said students are often surprised there is so much to learn in politics. In the wide array of courses offered through the political science department, Stoner said students can find answers to key questions about the fundamental issues of politics. Professors of these courses are there to guide the students in a way that will help them create their own opinions. They welcome student opinions while trying to stay unbiased in the classroom. “Faculty is not engaged in pushing their own agenda,” Stoner said.  POLI 1001 is a basic course in political theory, POLI 2051 teaches the basics of American politics and POLI 2057 covers the basics of international politics. There is a course to spark every student’s interest.   Although students may not be as well-versed as possible on this election’s issues, it doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. Political science professors around the nation have seen a surge of interest in their courses, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. “I have never seen this level of involvement, in particular this level of intensity, on the part of a lot of students,” said Tom Cronin, a political science professor at Colorado College. Teachers are impressed by their students’ recent involvement. They only hope that students remain interested in politics after the new president has been elected. Students should find a way that works for them to learn about the issues, whether it’s radio, TV, newspapers or even a class. No matter what, students should just make sure they are in the know.As Americans, we’ve been given the right to make our own opinions, so go ahead and practice your rights.—-Contact Nikki Oden at [email protected]