Anecdotal evidence suggests pedagogy research on simulations in political science is dominated by two subfields: International Relations and Comparative Politics. This belief may stem from the widespread use of things like Model United Nations and Model Arab League or the popular game Statecraft. While some other subfields, notably public law,…

The article reports the results of a 2008 national survey of political theorists concerning what and how they teach. The results are based on 1,086 responses from professors at accredited, four-year colleges and universities in the United States. The responses include information about which thinkers are currently being taught, the status of…

Information literacy has long been discussed in the field of library science but is only recently becoming applied in specific academic disciplines. This article assesses student learning of information literacy skills analyzing data collected from three semesters of the Introduction to Comparative Politics course. Variables such as major…

Presents an exercise for use in political science courses on the college level that requires students to solve a frequently occurring problem--the provision of a collective good and the allocation of its costs. To solve the problem, students answer questions such as "Why do we have governments?" and "What constitutes a just policy?" (Author/DB)

Discusses how and why one might want to teach a political science course on the topic of terrorism on the college level. Information is presented on course objectives, organization, relevant literature, and the results of a survey demonstrating the educational effects of instruction on terrorism. (Author/DB)

It is suggested that college instructors must combine teaching their discipline with work on basic academic skills. One way of improving student skills is having students work on research papers on which they receive detailed feedback. Other teaching techniques are suggested, including directing students to relate news accounts to general or…

In this article, the author examines how the idea (and ideal) of nation continues to serve as a directive for social studies education. He proposes discussing what a critical approach to understanding nation (and the historical narratives that define nation) might look like in the classrooms and what the stakes are for social studies educators,…

This paper contends that the issues of constitutional government debated during the founding of the United States should be in the core curriculum of any school that seeks to educate students to become responsible citizens of a constitutional democracy. For purposes of teaching students, the issues debated by founding-era political thinkers can be…

A review of eight leading political science journals beginning with the first volume of the "American Political Science Review" in 1906 revealed no articles or statements about how elementary civic education is or should be taught. Several reasons for this omission are suggested. First, the elementary civic education curriculum was established…

Questions the proper position for a teacher of political science regarding partisan controversy over issues such as ERA, the womens' movement, racism, and affirmative action. Examines writings on partisanship by social scientists David Easton, Max Weber, and John Stuart Mill. (Author/DB)

The theory and practice of political science and social studies instruction should be reformulated and reassessed in the light of political socialization studies, particularly with respect to designing curricula and selecting textbooks, planning instructional strategies, and structuring school climates and political systems. (RM)

This article reviews the Association of American Colleges' (AAC) report titled "Integrity in the College Curriculum: A Report to the Academic Community" in terms of its relevance to political science instruction at the undergraduate level. The report examines two issues: (1) political science as a core component of a general education curriculum;…

Identifies and discusses current literature dealing with alternative teaching techniques in political science. Main areas of concern are methodology, theory, and values. (DB)

Points out ways in which concepts from the discipline of political science can be useful in teaching American government and history. Emphasis is placed on helping students understand basic political action choices and decision-making strategies through group work in the social studies classroom. (DB)

The idea of using newspapers in education is not a new one; in fact, recorded references go back as far as the 1890s. During the first half of the 20th century educators and newspaper people increased the awareness of how current materials could maintain an important place in the school curriculum. Influential publications during this period…