ERIC Number: EJ950506
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0037-7996
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Making Politics Palatable: Using Television Drama in High School Civics and Government Classes
Journell, Wayne; Buchanan, Lisa Brown
Social Studies, v103 n1 p1-11 2012
The authors make a case for using "The West Wing," a political drama that aired on NBC from 1999 to 2006, as an instructional tool in high school civics and government classes. The show offers a realistic portrayal of life in the White House through the eyes of Democratic President Josiah Bartlet and his senior staff that can further students' understanding of the traditional curriculum and aid teachers in broaching controversial political issues in their classes. Using two representative episodes from the first season, the authors describe how high school civics and government teachers can use "The West Wing" to achieve their instructional goals. The authors conclude by offering general suggestions to teachers wishing to use the series as part of their instruction. (Contains 3 notes.)
Descriptors: Civil Rights, Civics, Political Issues, Television, Programming (Broadcast), High School Students, Teaching Methods, Social Studies, Presidents, Controversial Issues (Course Content)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A