Is UP Manila an Agent of Student Activism? A Comparative Analysis of the Concepts and Socio-political Attitudes of the UPM CAS Freshmen and Senior Students

Abstract

The University of the Philippines has always been considered the seat of Philippine student activism. The researcher started with the premise that UP students evolve, during the course of their stay in the university, from individuals with self-centered concerns to socio-politically aware and active students. The university agents within UP Manila: the professors, the peers, the curricula and the university atmosphere of academic freedom all encourage critical thinking and active socio-political participation within the studentry. This study focused on assessing the effects of UP Manila in freshmen and senior students of College of Arts & Sciences (CAS). Through a five-part questionnaire, this study was able to establish that UP students are thought of as intellectual and socially oriented leaders who stand by his/her convictions. Concerned with studies and issues on the university and the society, in general, UP students are mostly influenced in their concepts and attitudes by the various socialization agents within UP Manila. It was also established that the university’s role (as well as the mass media) have increasing influence on the senior students as they become more participative in sociopolitical movements.