A look at the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates through the eyes of students was the topic of a recent “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Kent Syler

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Kent Syler, an associate professor of political science, first aired Oct. 26 on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org ). You can listen to their conversation below.

A veteran of more than 30 years in politics, including a stint as former Congressman Bart Gordon’s chief of staff, Syler teaches a class called “Presidential Pre-Gaming: Early Communication, Issues and Strategy in the 2016 Presidential Primaries.”

His 26 students have been divided into nine teams with each team assigned to become experts on several candidates. The ninth team will investigate the first few presidential primaries.

Those students will deliver their findings to an audience at the Presidential Primary Pregame Show from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in the MT Center of the Sam Ingram Building, 2269 Middle Tennessee Blvd. in Murfreesboro.

The event is free and open to the public. A searchable campus parking map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParking2015-16.

“Our political system has become so polarized that neither side really listens to the other,” said Syler, “so, to a large extent, it’s very beneficial for these students to face opinions that they might otherwise avoid.”

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about “MTSU On the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.