Examines the changes occurring in the U.S. presidential and congressional finance system from the 1970s to the present and the problems and proposed reforms of the current system. Concludes that escalating costs and special interest influence in congressional elections must be controlled. Lists suggested paper topics and readings. (GEA)

Outlines the strategic setting of the 1988 U.S. presidential election, highlights what is at stake for each party, and considers those political issues that may affect its outcome. Examines domestic and foreign policy issues, stressing those that affect two key groups: northern workers and "have not/have little" white Southerners. (GEA)

Examines the history of U.S. political primaries, discusses Democratic Party reforms in the presidential nomination process since 1968, and cites important generalizations about how the process works today. States that the system lessens party leader influence, giving the media power to set public expectations and declare winners and losers. (GEA)

Stating that U.S. national political conventions have become media events which lack real decision-making significance, Alpert examines how ratifying conventions strategically define themselves and communicate their messages. Discusses factors such as: timing, host cities, convention facilities, media services, convention officers, speakers,…

Reviews the growing literature on the forecasting of elections, providing an example in the form of 1988 congressional election predictions. Briefly discusses the history of election outcome prediction and outlines two scientific forecasting models which, the authors state, are appropriate for use in the classroom. (GEA)

Examines the media's role and impact in U.S. presidential and congressional election processes in relation to 1988 and poses several research questions. Discusses the invisible primary, the primary-caucus season, the convention phase, the general election campaign, and the role of the media in House and Senate campaigns. (GEA)

Presents five projects on student voting rights recommended for college students in U.S. government and constitutional law courses. Projects include reading the state's residency law, investigating state and local interpretation of student voting rights, researching the constitutional issues involved in voting rights, and surveying students as to…

Discusses the role of political science in undergraduate education, focusing on the discipline's contribution to the general education portion of the baccalaureate. Suggests that introductory courses reduce coverage in order to provide general education students with a better understanding of the material presented, resulting in greater interest…

The problem of students entering universities and graduate programs with sub-standard communication skills is becoming more pronounced. Teaching communication skills is an important vehicle for enhancing student work. (BSR)

Having limited accurate knowledge about the Soviet Union, this article provides U.S. teachers with information about the selection and location of resources for teaching about the USSR. Relevant information can be summarized in the classroom by using resources for students; Soviet source materials; reference materials for teachers; and information…

The findings of a study of comparative politics core course syllabi offered by a sample of political science departments in the United States are summarized. The purposes of the study were to assess the state of the subdiscipline and to help with an exchange of ideas between teachers. (BSR)

This article seeks to examine: (1) the relevance of and necessity for inclusion of an undergraduate course on the intergenerational shift in political power; and (2) the methodology best suited to involve students in the problem and potential solutions, both through traditional research methods and through "hands on" community interaction. (BSR)

Describes a course dealing with issues of institutional policy analysis which is the study of government reform and its consequences. Explains that the course is organized around three sets of choices: value choices, methodological choices, and institutional choices in which students question their own decision-making processes. (BSR)

Reviews the Association of American Colleges (AAC) report, "Integrity in the College Curriculum," a comprehensive look at the role of the undergraduate major in political science. The place of political science in the core curriculum is also examined. (Author/BSR)

Describes strategies that a political science career counselor has pursued in creating a counseling center for undergraduate students within an academic department of political science. (BSR)