Political psychology is the study of the bidirectional interaction of political and psychological processes. This academic discipline was founded after the First World War by Harold D. Lasswell. The content of political psychology is discussed and illustrative studies of the field are briefly summarized. (CS)

Illustrates how social history topics can be integrated into economics, sociology, political science, legal education, and multicultural education courses. Social history can help link social science and topics on contemporary problems to historical study, and vice versa. (RM)

Outlines a political science course which first examines politics and the American space program and then studies programs in other countries and the related international problems and policies. Suggests a possible certificate or degree program in space studies or science policy. (DC)

In this symposium, six social scientists examine their fields (history, geography, political science, economics, anthropology, sociology) and identify essential concepts to serve as a foundation and a set of guidelines for classroom work. Some special attention is given to teaching the political process in this election year. (Editor/SJL)

Examines conditions leading to student misinformation and alienation in the teaching of the American political system at the secondary school level. Describes textbooks as idealizing the system and presenting blatant propaganda, dreary descriptions, and sugar-coated politics. Outlines curriculum goals to provide students with a positive but…

Describes a project preparing students to make political advertisements for television, including details for necessary hardware, script preparation, formatting, time management, and coordination with the television studio. Includes description of each role and broadcasting jargon. (Author/CK)

Describes some procedures designed to assist instructors in developing a research component using the computer. Benefits include development of research skills, kindling student interest in the field of political science, and recruitment potential. (Author/CK)

This secondary level learning exercise contains two role-playing activities and a textbook analysis test which probe contemporary images and historical realities about the politics and economics of school support. Students are involved in data collection and analysis, group communication, inference making, and value clarification. (KC)

The Marxist theory of correspondence between education and the rest of society and the economy is summarized and analyzed in terms of capitalist systems. The conclusion reached is that the educational systems of the advanced capitalist societies are generally mismatched with the wider economies of which they are a part; that is, the correspondence…

Describes the workshop program of the Department of City and Regional Planning at Harvard University. The workshop consists of a student team that helps a government or nonprofit agency solve a policy-related problem. (KC)

Identifies a substantial percentage of voters as "campaign deciders." Shows that these voters were low in partisanship during the 1976 presidential campaign, attended closely to the campaign, and voted according to campaign-specific perceptions. Contrasts these voters with "precampaign and last-minute deciders," who voted mainly on the basis of…

Describes a teaching approach used in introductory classes in literature and political science based on the assumption that technical academic skills must be developed simultaneously with the processes of critical thinking. Course content and methods of presenting and analyzing material for each course are described. (DR)

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.…

Describes a survey sent to 210 member schools of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) concerning attitudes toward obstacles to teaching ethics in public administrations courses. Lists 10 barriers preventing the offering of such courses in colleges and universities. (NL)