Movies have a long and distinguished history in the political science and international relations classrooms; they provide connections between abstract theories and concepts and concrete everyday practices. However, traditional approaches to teaching movies in the political science and international relations classrooms allow for passive student…

Teachers of political science have increasingly recognized the utility of classroom simulations to provide students with an active-learning experience to enhance learning outcomes. Our article builds on this growing trend by proposing a congressional simulation to help students understand the complexities and nuances of the lawmaking process.…

The process of transforming students from novices into experts relies on active learning and the development of an appreciation for the links among topics. Since rote or stimulus-response learning is preferred by a majority of students who are beginning their programs of study but does not optimize learning and understanding, the first step in the…

A simulation of the foreign policy decision-making process, as described in this article, can assist an instructor in linking students' abstract understanding of complex political events, circumstances, and decision making to the real-world interplay of the multiple factors involved in decision making. It is this type of active learning that helps…

Provides background information about Mark Boyer, the winner of the fourth Rowman and Littlefield Award for Innovative Teaching in Political Science. States that Boyer has focused on developing active learning approaches for international relations and demonstrates his leadership in the use of technology. (CMK)

Describes a congressional committee simulation used in an introductory U.S. politics course. Explains the simulation enabled students to discover how Congress operates. Discusses the outcomes of the simulation, student responses, and recommendations for using it in upper-level courses. Includes the personality descriptions for the commerce…

Presents a simulation game given in a freshman-level international relations course on the Indian and Pakistani dispute over Kashmir (India). Explains that the simulation covers three or four class periods where the students take the role of international policymakers and resolve a mock acute crisis in the Kashmir region. (CMK)

Provides background information on simulations and active learning. Discusses the use of simulations in political science courses. Describes a simulation exercise where students performed specific institutional role playing, simulating the workings of a single congressional issue network, based on the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act.…

Focuses on an undergraduate course, "Outside Politics: How Minorities Play the Political Game". Describes how to create a foundation for active and collaborative learning and to promote critical thinking, discussion, and writing through reading assignments. Discusses the use of debates and role playing, autobiographies and videos, and…

Believes that the key to teaching is viewing students as great learners, not as the teacher being a great teacher. Reflects on the experience of teaching and relates the teaching style and approaches used by the author in the classroom. (CMK)

Addresses the use of the World Wide Web by international relations students and scholars. Considers an instructional web project for an international relations class outlining the project's contribution to active learning and the development of students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Provides advice for educators interested in…

Provides a step-by-step process for designing effective and interesting simulations. Explains and gives examples for the four steps: defining teaching goals, constructing the simulation, running the simulation, and debriefing. Asserts that simulations develop critical thinking and other skills. Examines possible means of assessment. (MJP)

Notes some of the problems and payoffs involved in adding brief field projects to political science classes. Recommends a variety of activities including attending a public forum, community meeting, or legislative session. Students view first-hand how these organizations operate and sharpen their research skills. (MJP)