Discusses a study of the political science major within the liberal arts curriculum. Urges that a major should have structure and coherence. Emphasizes the major as an area for in-depth training, not bureaucratic convenience. Suggests that the American Political Science Association foster more connections to other fields and assessment of…

Argues Fukayama's assertion of "end of history" must be seen as attempt to establish new civil theology to guide political deliberations. Asserts Fukayama thesis is based on Hegelian view of ideas becoming real through human imagination and will. Claims end of era is not identical to end of history and that socialism will be reborn in…

Maintains that political liberalism and the democratic ideal provide the foundation for almost all contemporary political thought. Argues that, contrary to most theoretical constructs, there is a natural tension between the fundamental ideals of liberalism and those of democracy. (CFR)

Reviews the recent history of South Africa and the dismantling of the apartheid system. Describes growing political and economic participation of Black Africans in South Africa. Includes suggestions for using this information in social studies classes. (CFR)

Reports on a reading-discussion program of the Vermont Reading Project. Describes the origins, development, and operation of the program. Includes titles of literature works used in the project. (CFR)

Presents a historical review of German relations with European nations from the end of World War II until 1992. Claims that Chancellor Willy Brandt's efforts to improve East-West relations set the stage for German reunification. Contends that Germany's role in a united Europe has yet to be determined. (CFR)

Observes that teaching undergraduates about the post-1989 economic and political transitions in Central and Eastern Europe has received little attention. Identifies challenges and problems of teaching about post-communist transitions, particularly low awareness of the region's communist history. Reports on a module to teach about transition in…

Justifies the creation of the Center for Public Integrity in light of the decline of investigative reporting by mainstream journalists in Washington, DC. The Center's efforts to make public officials more accountable, to take a systematic view of unethical behavior, and to find the causes for loss of trust in government are outlined. (DSK)

Presents a lesson on the reaction of people in the United States to immigrants as expressed in political cartoons from the turn-of-the-century and the early decades of the 20th century. Includes cartoons, teaching ideas, and suggested discussion questions about the cartoons. (DSK)

Reports the results of two experiments that compared the effectiveness of role-playing and collaborative activities to teacher-centered discussions and lectures. Using both history and political science classes, the studies found that students who participated in the role- plays and collaborative exercises did better on subsequent standard…

Describes a survey of academic political science librarians that assessed the overall quality of political science books published by 62 publishers, both academic and commercial. Results are reported, analyzed, and compared to a similar survey of members of the American Political Science Association. (Contains 9 references.) (Author/LRW)

Explores how language and political science professors can co-teach a course using the Language Across the Curriculum format to increase student understanding of a country's language and politics. Describes a Georgia Tech course taught in German on post-war German politics. Addresses the elements of a successful course and student and course…

Responds to the article "The Past Need not be Prologue: Why Pessimism about Civic Education is Premature" by Stephen Earl Bennett. Addresses Bennett's (1) use of argument-by-exemplars, (2) discussion of William Bennett Munro, and (3) comments on the poor state of political science, increasing commitment to civic education, and attracting students.…

Addresses the question: How do the modern theories of international relations account for the origins of the Peloponnesian War? Creates an historical fiction of Athenians debating the war's origins. (CMK)

Discusses a report that made recommendations on issues of sexual harassment in the department of political science at the University of Victoria, and the committee's subsequent struggles for redress against silence and retaliation. Analyzes the performance of those avenues and the offices that were supposed to be sources of remedy or protection.…