Describes a political science class simulation where groups of students assumed the roles of political parties in a mythical country with a parliamentary system. Students developed party platforms, held mock elections, and put together coalitions to back cabinet ministers. Includes all pertinent information on the mythical country and political…

Presents a syllabus for an undergraduate introductory course on political science. Includes an analysis and rationale of the course organization and materials from the instructor. Discusses the educational goals and objectives of the course and how these are met. Reprints instructions for the final required paper. (MJP)

Responds to recent scathing criticism of the peer review process of scholarly publishing. Identifies three main problems with reviewers and editors: unresponsiveness, inconsistency, and indecisiveness. Discusses the pros and cons of several proposed publishing reforms including multiple submissions, establishing clearer and more consistent…

An approach to designing a competency-based master's program in public administration that integrates political science, management, and value-based approaches into a holistic package is described. Pedagogically the approach seeks to balance conceptual knowledge with skill acquisition for specific situations, providing a curriculum more relevant…

Examines and corrects political science textbook errors concerning the electoral college. Textbooks frequently attribute specific provisions and functions of the college to the federal government when, in fact, they are controlled by the states. Historical dates and contingency provisions are other areas erroneously cited. (MJP)

Describes a course on the tension between individual rights and the powers of government. Explores the differences between the Anti-Federalists and Federalists conceptions of rights and the role of government. Discusses contemporary problems of rights as limits to democratic outcomes. Questions the traditional interpretations of the U.S.…

Provides an annotated bibliography from the ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) Social Studies Social Science Clearinghouse on the Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations given to high school students. Resources focus on the relationship between success on the AP Examinations and subsequent success in college courses and on other…

Discusses the tension between the university faculty's research mandate and their teaching responsibilities. Suggests that there are no rewards for acquiring teaching skills and that research agendas often drive the construction of undergraduate political science curricula and contribute to the neglect of producing engaging textbooks. (KO)

Examines difficulties posed in studying local governance because of varied forms found in local government structure. Describes two research methods for drawing upon that variety: (1) building large data sets, and (2) using case studies. Suggests that local research activities, conducted in the context of an educational program, be used as the…

Maintains the contemporary political Soviet scene poses a major intellectual challenge to Western Sovietology. Analyzes reforms of the Gorbachev era and traces the development of change and the concepts of glasnost and perestroika. Discusses recent policies, problems, and strategies. Views revolution as a prolonged process. (NL)

Discusses the recent wave of mass sociopolitical mobilization in Eastern Europe. Argues that the models and methods developed after the 1960s have made it difficult for Western students to understand recent movements in the East. Compares waves of mobilization such as the Civil Rights Movement in the United States with incomplete waves of…

A national survey of 211 liberal arts college faculty in biology, economics, English, and political science investigated the ways in which faculty use the popular media, including newspapers and magazines, television, and radio. Faculty characteristics, motivation, and opinions of campus public relations offices were also examined. (MSE)

Describes a three-part videodisk set designed for teaching introductory U.S. government and history courses at the secondary or collegiate levels. Describes the content and teaching suggestions for the series that focuses on the powers of the U.S. Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court. (CFR)

Asserts that the presumption that student evaluation of teacher performance will eliminate poor or below-average teachers is dubious. Maintains that student evaluation is less harmful than peer evaluation. Argues that student evaluation is one of several factors that contribute to the decline of U.S. universities. (CFR)

Examines educational policies and issues in small nations and territories with high degrees of administrative autonomy. Maintains that strong feelings of nationalism can be both a benefit and a barrier to establishing an effective educational system. Argues that small countries are not simply scaled-down versions of larger nations; they have an…