Describes an activity for use as an introduction to a U.S. government course. Involves placing the students in a you-be-the-judge situation through the consideration of a Supreme Court case. Requires essay writing, small group work, and reporting to the class. Points out that these exercises provide structure for the course. (KO)

Reports on major current research questions addressed by those in biopolitics. Notes how this research material can be introduced into graduate and undergraduate courses. Suggests introducing these materials into courses dealing with political behavior, public policy and public administration, political philosophy, international relations, and…

Proposes the use of works of fiction in introductory level public administration courses as a means of exploring questions concerning the bureaucratic state. "Walden Two,""Looking Backward,""The Trial, "Brave New World," and "1984" are discussed as examples of fiction which can be used. (KO)

Points out inadequacies in the numeric data set that accompanied the Supplementary Empirical Teaching Units in Political Science (SETUPS) monograph on the U.S. Supreme Court. Suggests that the data not be used for research purposes but notes they may be utilized as a teaching tool in discussing quantitative methods of analysis relative to Supreme…

Discusses classical theory as a modernist endeavor to apprehend the phenomenon of "unity of disunity." Presents three ways that classical theory approaches the philosophy views of Durkheim, Marx, and Weber. Concludes that postmodernism validates the relevancy of classical theory. (CFR)

Compares Robert Palmer's interpretation of the French Revolution with the Marxist and revisionist views. Stresses Palmer's theory that the French Revolution belongs to the same spiritual family as the American. Reports that Palmer saw the French Revolution as the climactic event in a series of similar upheavals that integrated liberal democracy…

Discusses an introductory U.S. government course that examines government in a comparative context. Explains that students play the role of U.S. government experts to whom representatives of the republics of the former Soviet Union come for consultation. Reports that students gather information both from textbooks and the popular press. (SG)

Succinctly summarizes considerations that should be taken into account when choosing a dissertation topic. These include resonance with organizational culture, contribution to the discipline, assistance in a job search, and tractability. Tractability (the ability to produce a finished product) combines the components of scope, clarity of problem,…

Reviews the history of U.S. foreign aid, and contests popular assumptions about the leading role of the United States in contemporary aid efforts. Provides a detailed breakdown of the U.S. foreign affairs budget to support the argument. Links the argument to suggestions for appropriate U.S. policy in this area. (DSK)

Describes Internet-based online interactive role-playing simulations of current political events that were developed at Macquarie University (Australia) to be used with Internet partners around the world. Discusses the use of e-mail, teleconferences, and evaluation of the simulations. (LRW)

Explores the nature of political polling describing various kinds of polls, when the polls are used, and other external factors affecting polling in political campaigns. Provides three lessons to help students understand and develop skills related to polling as preparation for their roles as citizens in a democracy. (CMK)

Describes an approach to teaching politics that employs actions, scenes, agents, agency, and purpose to encourage students to experience and analyze political behavior. Argues that students participate more in class when they assume a role that is clearly "not themselves." Uses a course about the U.S. presidency as an example. (DSK)

Summarizes a statement by the Task Force on Civic Education in the Next Century about the need for, and objectives of, a civic education program. Includes the Task Force's Statement of Purpose and goals for the American Political Science Association's Civic Education Projects. Includes list of task force members. (DSK)

Today, the American system of higher education is the envy of the world, due in large part to the leadership provided by New England's colleges and universities. While American higher education has accomplished a great deal for New England and the nation, the system faces several challenges as it seeks to train the citizens and workers of…

Civic engagement is an area ripe for increased pedagogical attention in the discipline of Political Science. However, almost all efforts are limited to courses on local, state, and national government. We teach about the often intricate connections between domestic and international politics, but opportunities for students to research and practice…