@FIU_PIR tweets its way into presidential debate


If you’ve ever wondered whether professors can sum up their thoughts in 140 characters or less, tune in to Twitter during tonight’s presidential debate.

Faculty from the FIU Department of Politics and International Relations will provide commentary in real-time as Barack Obama and Mitt Romney spar in their third and final debate leading into the Nov. 6 election.

Jose Vilanova, visiting lecturer, is leading this department-wide effort.

“This election, more than any other election up to now, is showing us that social media and social networks are indispensible in the functioning of the political process,” Vilanova said. “Media and information are in the hands of those producing it, rather than the conglomerate networks. It is grassroots democracy at its best. It’s vital that we exercise the educational mission of the university aand use our formidable faculty to provide learned analysis and raise the level of conversation.”

The debate topic is foreign policy. The faculty will each tweet their reactions and analysis to various components of the debate, including substantive matters relating to areas of expertise and media criticism.

Tonight’s debate is scheduled for 9 p.m. and will air on major news networks and cable news channels. The Department of Politics and International Relations’ Twitter handle is @FIU_PIR. To ask questions during the debate and be a part of the conversation, use hashtag #FIUPIRChat.