The traditional way of introducing comparative politics to freshmen, which is through the study of institutions, is contrasted with an alternative approach. An everyday-politics approach compares the daily struggles of global youth--how they cope in times of peace and war, and with issues of wealth and poverty, identity, education and employment,…

This study assessed the capacity of a major Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Assignment to improve students' content knowledge surrounding relevant course concepts in two sections of "The Politics of Welfare Reform," a 200-level class offered at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. The hypothesis was that performance on the PBL assignment, which…

Presents a conceptual approach to the legislative process which includes coverage of the role of the media. Major texts are reviewed in terms of their coverage of the media topic. Suggestions are made for ways in which the role of the media can be more appropriately presented and emphasized in political science courses. (Author)

Education about national security has always been part of the social studies curriculum in U.S. high schools. But its focus has been simply chronological and episodic with major attention given to war, particularly the decision to enter it and the conduct of U.S. military forces. Little attention has been given to the evolution and structural…

This paper presents approaches and perspectives for anyone interested in designing university courses in the field of political communication. These include focusing on a single political figure or a single issue, focusing on a political genre, focusing on the mass media in relationship to political success, focusing on media exploitation, and…

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.…

Highlights the state government course at West Virginia University that leads students in a comparative study of state governments. Uses a natural progression of course topics from basic state-level characteristics, to political behavior, to political institutions, to policy in order to facilitate understanding of interstate political variation.…

States that northern politics deserve a place in Canadian curricula because of its intrinsic interest and the opportunities it offers to study the relationship between aboriginal peoples and the Canadian state. Discusses territorial governments and the economic and constitutional problems facing them. Concludes that studying the north may bring…

Presents an outline for teaching about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the political science classroom. Explains that the course includes an overview and an examination of the key actors in the AIDS crisis, as well as analysis of the political and bureaucratic dimensions. Identifies subtopics and suggested and required readings. (SG)

Explains an experiential approach used to teach a course in state and local government at Unity College in Maine. Outlines course requirements and activities, which include field trips to the state capitol, research on current issues, and interviews with state and local officials. (JHZ)

This resource unit, developed by University of Minnesota's Project Social Studies as part of a course on Our Political System, introduces eighth graders to decision making at the local level. This unit, much shorter than the others in the course, attempts to have pupils use concepts learned earlier to analyze one or more crucial problems in their…

This is the third unit to the second-semester "Comparing Political Experiences" course which focuses on a specific, controversial, political issue. The unit analyzes the concept of political maintenance by studying the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) between 1918 and 1975 and its fight to secure mine safety standards. A documentary…

This is the fourth unit to the 12th-grade second-semester "Comparing Political Experiences" course which focuses on specific controversial political issues. The unit analyzes the concept of political development by examining the Cummins Engine Company and employee job security during the company's growth into a multinational corporation.…

Describes a political science course that attempts to place the complex contemporary politics of Southeastern Europe in a wider conceptual and comparative context. Discusses the unique background of the region. Briefly reviews the best literature on the subject, and provides a series of discussion questions and activities. (MJP)

The fourth unit to the second-semester "Comparing Political Experiences" course focuses on a specific, controversial, political issue. Using a documentary approach, this unit analyzes the concept of political change by examining the changes in Riverside, California, as that community confronts the issue of smog. The unit is divided into…