Political education is a loaded expression, and even more so when it is suggested that state authorities should be in charge of it. The main claim from the author in this article is that, in contexts of sufficient political pluralism, political education should more firmly be taken in charge by primary and secondary schools. In the first section,…

Efforts to teach civic engagement address not only students' political knowledge but also their skills and dispositions. Although the scholarship of teaching and learning has explored the role of political discussion in the pre-college classroom extensively, attention to the topic at the college-level has been limited. Given the challenges…

One of the greatest challenges we face as political scientists is to teach undergraduates how to think comparatively. This article proposes a number of practical, easily adaptable exercises that many of us can incorporate in our teaching to turn curious undergraduates into smart social scientists who think comparatively about the world.

The primary form of experiential education in political science is an internship in a government office. Too often, however, with little actual monitoring of their experiences, government interns become little more than classic office "gofers." Fortunately, there are strategies to make political internships not only useful learning experiences for…

The modern South is a thriving region that is increasingly like the rest of the United States; however, that has not always been the case. Indeed, the political history of the American South is one that has been focused on the integration of this historically underdeveloped region into the remainder of American society, economically (especially in…

Students are well served by course simulations that employ active learning styles and student-driven interaction. For debate on political issues, particular public policies are quite effective in stimulating that discussion. We developed an in-class simulation of political debate on the issue of Social Security. We describe the simulation itself,…

Millikin University in Illinois has about 2400 students and is committed to providing small, seminar-style, learning opportunities in every course. Millikin's Political Science Department has earned recognition institutionally and nationally for its work. In the summer of 2001, the department decided to revamp the curriculum and made a conscious…

Describes a simulation based on strategic arms limitation talks. The simulation was successfully used in a freshman-level introductory political science course to help students understand the importance of negotiating and understanding other points of view in international relations. (DB)

Describes a moot court program intended for use in college level political science courses focusing on constitutional rights and liberties. Information is presented on program planning, selecting cases, oral argument, and opinion preparation. (Author/DB)

A general overview of political science education in Canadian public schools, with an emphasis on secondary education, is provided. The level, content, and objectives of political science courses offered by schools in the various provinces of Canada are discussed. (RM)

Describes a legislative simulation intended for use in a college-level political science course. A major objective of the simulation is to help students understand decision-making processes involved in politics. Source materials and role characteristics are discussed. (DB)

Describes an experiment in teaching research methods to undergraduate students in political science. The experiment centered around a data lab that met weekly and provided students with information pertaining to data processing and statistics. Information on student evaluation of the experiment is included. (Author/DB)

Describes two projects which involve college students in political science courses on American politics in doing research and giving class reports on proposals for reforming the electoral college and the electoral process. Findings indicate that students participating in the projects become more aware of political realities and learn how to use…

Describes and evaluates a college level introductory American government course which teaches students about citizenship by directing them to participate in local government meetings and write reports of the governmental units with which they become involved. (Author/DB)

Addresses what should be learned through service learning in political science identifying two objectives: (1) transmitting knowledge; and (2) developing active citizens. Believes that it is necessary to impart factual knowledge about politics through service learning in order to create educated students and engaged citizens in political science.…