This research paper describes how E-Mail and Vax Notes were used in the Spring 1994 political science classes, "Contemporary Global Issues" and "Women and Politics," involving 80 students at the University of Wisconsin--La Crosse. By modeling and hands-on practice, students were introduced to the electronic mail and then given three major projects to complete; the projects are described. Data are analyzed in task-oriented responses or communications-oriented responses to questions related to the projects and their completion. Task-oriented responses viewed the electronic mail as a tool to complete the projects required and would have done more had they been asked. Communications-oriented responses viewed the electronic mail as a way to correspond easily and cheaply with the instructor, with other students on the projects, and with friends and relatives in and out of the institution who had electronic mail addresses. The conclusion identifies advantages and disadvantages of the use of this teaching technique. Contains 47 references. (EH)