How an introductory political science course called "The Elements of Political Theory" is taught using Plato's "Republic," Hobbes's "Leviathan," the "Declaration of Independence," and the "Communist Manifesto" is discussed. In the course, students contrast the way ancients and moderns differ in…

College students enrolled in a senior level political science seminar were assigned to read books and then write essays that uncovered one critical flaw in the work. The class was divided into teams to debate the value of the critiques. A mock trial format was used for the debates. (RM)

Breaks were imposed in the game Monopoly, at which times the players, college level students, elected one person and gave him or her the power to change the rules. Behavior similar to political behavior in the real world resulted. The students discovered the resemblance and wrote papers on what had occurred. (RM)

Ten elements and techniques which can be used very effectively in a college level political science course are animation and enthusiasm; costumes; skits; motion; humor; perks; personality and mood changes; voices, puppets, and imitations; the personalization of material; and state of mind. (RM)

Describes an experiment at Hamline University, Minnesota, in which a course on "American Metropolitan Government and Problems" was paired with a "History of London" course to stimulate the study of values in a cross-disciplinary context. Course logistics, teaching methods, student assignments and problems in administration, and obtaining materials…

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)

Deals with the relationship between military intelligence and arms control policy. Presents an overview of intelligence as it relates to arms control verification, focusing on monitoring and verification. Includes a summary of the history of unilateral statements. Concludes that there are both technical and political bases for arms control…

Describes a college course dealing with the origins and goals of Soviet foreign policy. The course examines the events surrounding the development of Soviet policy since the 1917 revolution, the domestic factors which influence foreign policymaking, and current problems and policies. (RM)

Describes the use of an instructional module used to introduce college students to a combined mathematical modeling and normative analysis approach to the investigation of public policy issues. The module, which was designed to bridge several courses and combined independent work with discussions, was judged to be successful in promoting…

Reflects on the teaching of a philosophy course to candidates for the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church. Focuses upon the exploration of interdisciplinary work and the development of new forms of teaching and learning. Comments on the failure to achieve objectives. (KO)

Describes an advanced college course dealing with urban public policy in the United States. It assumes previous student work in political science and urban life. (RM)

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 an exercise in the content analysis of political ideologies. Advantages of the exercise include that it teaches students to employ content analysis as a method of research and that it introduces them to the ideological statements of America's leading social critics. (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)

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)