By Dr. Muhammad Jameel Yushau

Thursday was the first day of class with Professor Deval Patrick on “Principles and Politics.” Unlike most classes that take place twice a week at HKS,Deval Patrick’s class will hold on Wednesdays only from 4:30pm to 7:15pm.

I was attending the editorial meeting of The Africa Policy Journal when I realized it was five minutes to class. So we rounded up the meeting, and I rushed to the class. As I entered, the class was full. Everybody was seated. I started scanning the room looking for a seat, i found one on the front row. I greeted Deval on the way, shook his hand, and to my surprise, he said “Hi Jameel.” Perhaps he has recognized me from the shopping day when I asked him a few questions.

The class began with a poll as many professors do to gauge the understanding of concepts or help them clarify issues. Ahead of the class, we have watched several videos of Ted Kennedy’s interview launching his presidential campaign in 1979, as well as his convention speech after he lost the primaries to President Jimmy Carter. We also watched Ronald Reagan’s video launching his campaign in 1979.

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The class went straight into analyzing the ‘why’ in the desire of of both Kennedy and Reagan to seek for public office. What were their motivations, desire for impact, vision and readiness to seek for the presidency? How authentic were they, and whom were they targeting?

Students shared multiple perspectives about modern day politics. What I found most intriguing in the discussion is the similarity in the challenges faced by many countries. Students who spoke came from several countries, including Argentina, Costa Rica, Nigeria, United States and more. The challenges of campaign financing contributing in breaking the ethos of politics and how legislators spend more time seeking for campaign financing rather than focusing on the job resonated with many students. If you think your country is the only one facing challenges, you need to spread your net of learning. Neither developed or developing countries have a political system that is perfect. Nor do they have public office holders who are flawless. Every country is a work in progress within the realm of their development.

Unlike many classes, Professor Patrick provides ‘refreshment’ to the 100 students taking his course. The class might be late in the day, but it provides both intellectual refreshment and a light dinner to keep the energy level going. Next week, he will be inviting two former presidential candidates to speak to the class.

A little surprise for me after I commented in the class about politics in Nigeria, Professor Patrick told me he once lived in Kaduna, and he has visited my home town of Kano, in fact he has the ‘kaftan’ that he received during his visit.

Takeaway: Learning does not come from the teacher alone. You learn a lot from fellow students. That was the atmosphere established by Deval Patrick on Thursday.