Describes a study which showed that student evaluations of their courses and instructors are significantly biased by factors external to the quality of their actual classroom experience. Data were collected at the beginning and end of the term from 361 college students enrolled in eight separate American government courses. (Author/RM)

The policy of treating student evaluations of their courses and instructors as a straight-forward measure of good teaching invites abuse. The applicability of the "journeyman principle" to college faculty members is discussed. How this principle would result in a radically different approach to the measurement of good teaching is examined. (RM)

Discusses the results of an American government college course redesigned to include class discussions, documentary films, small group simulations, paper assignments, and a grading policy that reinforced reading of the daily newspaper and weekly news magazines. Student surveys revealed a significant increases in daily/weekly "news habits." (RM)

Shows how the "nominal group technique" can be applied in the initial meetings of discussion groups in university courses to clarify group norms and climate and to exemplify productive discussion behaviors. (Author/RM)

A questionnaire to elicit information on program structure, or admissions and exit standards, and on students and faculty of public administration doctoral programs was sent to 52 political science departments. Results showed that programs afforded reasonable flexibility, the opportunity for some degree of specialization, and an adequate number of…

Describes a public administration course specifically designed for adults. Course competencies are defined and instructional materials are discussed. (RM)

Describes the advantages of using symbolic logic in political analyses. It can be used (1) as a tool in conceptual refinement, (2) to determine if arguments are consistent and valid, and (3) as a tool for theory development. (SR)

Discusses four categories of problems associated with setting up public service internship programs. The categories are (1) conceptualization of internship experiences within the broad scope of liberal arts education, (2) structural difficulties arising from institutional commitments to internship development, (3) student socialization, and (4)…

Describes books and periodicals that contain public and private laws, presidential proclamations, executive orders, joint and concurrent regulations, etc. or interpretations of laws such as Supreme Court decisions and federal district court and appellate court decisions. The descriptions include information such as title, numbering system,…

Presents a dramaturgical dialog used by the authors to introduce two competing paradigms in the politics of national development, modernity theory, and dependency theory. The imaginary participants are Alex Inkeles and Immanuel Wallerstein. The dialogs have advantages as teaching strategies. (SR)

Explains why the concept of power is not useful as the governing or identifying principle of political science. It stimulates research, but it cannot serve well as an ordering device for the teaching of political science. A governing principle should include the relevant priorities of teaching and research. (SR)

This paper focuses on a comparative analysis of the normative and empirical elements of four approaches to political education. The findings generally demonstrate that each approach has dramatically different normative and empirical implications for political education. (KM)

The study identified the general conceptions students have of politics and political science. Two instruments involved students in 1) choosing key words which they felt best described politics, and 2) rating politics'' along a scale. General findings show that students have a fairly positive attitude toward politics and although politics are…

A simulation of the U.S. Supreme Court procedures and activities, designed to maximize gains in the areas of teaching, research, prediction, and motivation, is described. Instructions given for implementing the Temple University model in the classroom include suggested variations for particular situations. (SM)

A program at Le Moyne which involved undergraduate students in a professional type social science empirical research project is described in this article. Information is given on how students conducted a survey to measure the existence of polarization within the general population, and between college students and the general population;…