Research on college student political engagement remains limited, often focused on classroom interventions and studied quantitatively (Bardwell, 2011; Beaumont et al., 2006; Mann et al., 2018). Students' lived experience of their political engagement, however, is "situational, emergent, and co-creative" (Hildreth, 2003, p8). During the…

How does community-based learning (CBL) influence student attitudes toward civic participation? One of CBL's primary aims is to improve college student civic participation. As yet, however, little is known about the educational effects of CBL classes on student community and political participation. Using a quasi pre--post experiment with…

This brief explains what civics education skills are and why they are important. It describes what skills students need to function effectively as parents, workers, and citizens of the United States and provides tips for integrating civics education in the adult education classroom.

As a postsecondary educator with most of my experience teaching in colleges, but with some also in undergraduate and postgraduate studies both in Canada and the United States, I have been teaching politics and government for close to fifty years. That time has been spent not only undertaking empirical analyses of political behaviour and the…

Postsecondary teacher, Howard Doughty, has been teaching politics and government for close to fifty years. That time has been spent not only working with the empirical analysis of political behaviour and the normative analysis of political theory, but also in the practical activity of promoting understanding of what is frequently called civic…

Kids learn by doing, which, experts agree, is the only real way to teach citizenship. This article presents election-year activities that stress action. These activities will show students what it means to be a good citizen. (Contains 6 online resources.)

In a democracy, agents of political socialization, such as schools and parents, generally emphasize the importance of voting. While college students may be exposed briefly to voter registration as a barrier to participation, there is little evidence that the topic is given serious attention in the classroom. This research addresses how classroom…

The background material and activities in this publication will help prepare high school students to exercise their right to vote. Although written specifically for use in South Carolina, the publication can easily be adapted for use by teachers in other states. Examples of the different kinds of materials and activities follow. One activity…

The first item in this packet is a pamphlet on how to vote and the election process. The pamphlet includes comprehensive information at a reading level that can be understood by many adults who have not graduated from high school. The pamphlet was designed by volunteer tutors of adult literacy students in Maine. The tutors researched information,…

Provides a lesson that focuses on the history of voter representation in the United States. Explains that students will read, "Whose Voice Is Heard,""How Should U.S. Elections Be Managed?," and other student handouts in this issue of "Insights on Law and Society." (CMK)

A class project that involved three sixth-grade classes in holding a mock presidential election is described. Students manned registration booths, held rallies, made speeches to explain the issues, and actually voted. (RM)

Given the role that initiatives and referenda have played in state and local governance, it is interesting that there has never been a national initiative or referendum in the United States. The reason for this is that the Constitution of the United States does not provide for direct citizen initiation of, or direct popular votes on, either…

This manual guides K-12 teachers through a two-week study of the election process in Indiana culminating in a school-based election. Election procedure is followed from voter registration through election returns. Indiana law mandates the study of elections during election years; this manual was created to facilitate the process. Grade levels and…

The 12 lessons on practical politics have been designed to help high school classroom teachers in Ohio develop and implement educational programs on citizen participation and, specifically, on voting. Objectives are to familiarize students with Ohio voting and registration laws and procedures, to introduce them to voting equipment, to acquaint…

In the summer of 1975, the protective provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act were extended to parts of the Southwest. This marks a significant point in the history to secure for Chicanos a meaningful participation in the political process. The basic purpose of the Act assures that minorities can participate in the election process without any…