Resources from the Task Force on Rethinking Political Science Education
Journal Articles and Special Issues:
- "Special Collection: Rethinking the Undergraduate Political Science Major," By John Ishiyama, Marijke Breuning, Cameron G. Thies, Renée Van Vechten, Sherri L. Wallace (PS: Political Science and Politics, 2021).
- "High-Impact Practices and Their Effects: Implications for the Undergraduate Political Science Curriculum," By Fletcher McClellan, Kyle CasimirKopko & Kayla LGruber (Journal of Political Science Education, 2021).
- Where Can a Political Science Undergraduate Degree Take You? (table)
- The Work of Political Science Matters (editable poster: Departments can add their own undergraduate alumni)
Related APSA Resources
Examples Syllabi:
- "Professionalization in Political Science Course Syllabus," by Curtis Bram.
Journal Articles and Essays:
- "Practicing Democratic Engagement in the Political Science Classroom," by George Davis (APSA's Raise the Vote Campaign).
- "Civic & Political Engagement in Introductory Courses: The Why & What to Think About Ahead of Time," By Terry Gilmour, Lanethea Mathews-Schultz, Shannon McQueen (APSA Educate: Teaching American Politics Symposium Collection, 2022).
- "Talking Politics: Creating a Course for Incoming Freshman on Political Discourse," By Matto, Elizabeth C. Matto and Randi Chmielewski (Journal of Political Science Education, 2021).
APSA's Book Series:
- Political Science Internships: Towards Best Practices, Renée Van Vechten, Bobbi Gentry, John Berg.
- Teaching Civic Engagement Globably, Elizabeth Matto, Alison McCartney, Elizabeth Bennion.
- Teaching Civic Engagement Across the Discipline, Elizabeth Matto, Alison Rios Millett Mccartney, Elizabeth A. Bennion, and Dick Simpson.
- Teaching Civic Engagement: From Student to Active Citizen, Alison Rios Millett Mccartney, Elizabeth A. Bennion, and Dick Simpson.
- APSA's Teaching Civic Engagement Book Series Resource Toolkit
Select Journal Articles and Essays:
- "Teaching Community Organizing and the Practice of Democracy," by Jyl Josephson (Journal of Political Science Education, 2018).
- Best Practices in Civic Education: Lessons from the Journal of Political Science Education, By Elizabeth A. Bennion and Xander E. Laughlin (Journal of Political Science Education, 2018).
APSA Resource Collections:
Select APSA Educate Resources:
- "Learning Module: How Elections Are Run," by Carah Ong Whaley.
- Engaging in Difficult Election Conversations: 2024 Edition, by Carah Ong Whaley.
- "Revamped Raise the Vote Resources, by Bill Waychunas.
- "Practical Politics: Lessons in Democracy and Power," by Titus Alexander.
Example Syllabi:
- "Democracy & Citizenship Course Syllabus" by Jyl Josephson.
Resources from APSA's civic engagement partners:
- Student Learns Student Votes Resource Library
- The Citizens Campaign
- The National Center for Learning, Voting, and Engagement
Teaching Resources:
- Critical Thinking Modules, by Terry Gilmour.
Webinars:
- Incorporating Information Literacy Skills into Your Syllabus, by Kimberley MacVaugh.
Past APSA Presidential Task Force Reports:
- "Political Science in the 21st Century," from the Task Force on Political Science in the 21st Century, 2011. Dianne M. Pinderhughes, APSA President, 2007-08.
Select Journal Articles and Essays:
- Special Issue: Teaching College Students about Asian Pacific American Politics from Multiple Perspective, Editors: John Ishiyama and James S. Lai, (Journal of Political Science Education, 2022)
- Hard Truths: The Importance of Teaching Race in Introductory American Government and Politics for Undergraduates, By Rongal D. Watson (Journal of Political Science Education, 2019).
- Civic Engagement as Critical Pedagogy at Middle Tennessee University, By Sekou Franklin (APSA's Raise the Vote Campaign, 2020).
- Toward an Intersectional Political Science Pedagogy, by Rasmussen, Amy Cabrera Rasmussen (Journal of Political Science Education, 2014).
- Learning Civic Identity Outside of the Classroom: Diversity and Campus Associational Life, by Cherie J. Strachan and Chris T. Owens (Journal of Political Science Education, 2011).
Webinars and Resources:
Select Journals Articles:
- “Integrating Classroom and Community with Undergraduate Civically Engaged Research.” By Sam Schmitt, Isaac D. Mehlhaff, and Emily Cottle Ommundsen, (PS: Political Science & Politics, 2003).
- “Creating New Knowledge with Undergraduate Students: Institutional Incentives and Faculty Agency.” By Zvobgo, Kelebogile Zvobgo, Paula M. Pickering, Jaime E. Settle, and Michael J. Tierney. 2023. (PS: Political Science & Politics, 2023).
- “The Stewardship Model: An Inclusive Approach to Undergraduate Research.” By Megan Becker, Benjamin A. T. Graham, and Kelebogile Zvobgo. (PS: Political Science & Politics, 2021).
- “Challenges to, and Suggestions for, Merging Research and Teaching in Undergraduate Regional Public Universities.” By Juan Carlos Huerta. (PS: Political Science & Politics, 2015).
Webinar:
Example Syllabi:
APSA Books, Journal Articles, and Chapters:
- How to Teach American Politics (and Other Subjects) Effectively, by Marjorie R. Hershey.
- Strategies for Navigating Graduate School - select chapters:
- Serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant: Tips and Strategies, by Zoe Nemerever and Christina Boyes
- Preparing for the First Solo Teaching Experience: An Alternative to Learning as You Go, by Mario Guerrero, Matt Lamb, and Mary Anne S. Mendoza
- Teaching as an International Graduate Student, by Irmak Yazici
- Resources for Teaching Excellence: APSA’s Education Section and the TLC, by Megan Becker, Elizabeth A. Bennion, Colin M. Brown, and Eric Loepp
- What We Wish We Knew: Reflections of Brand-New Teaching Assistants, by Nakissa Jahanbani, Charmaine Willis, and Donnett Lee (Journal of Political Science Education, 2018).
- SoTL as a Subfield for Political Science Graduate Programs, by Lee Trepanier, (Journal of Political Science Education, 2018).
Academic Career Track Resources:
- Strategies for Navigating Graduate School - select chapters:
- Expect the Unexpected: Choices and Challenges in the Political Science PhD Job Market, by Bobbi G. Gentry, Kyla K. Stepp, and Jeremiah J. Castle
- Mental Health and the Job Market, by Anna A. Meier, Adnan Rasool, and Annelise Russell
- What Your PhD Advisors Can’t Tell You Because They Don’t Know: Landing a Job at a Student-Focused Institution, by Karen M. Kedrowski
- A Commitment to Teaching, Learning, and Student Advocacy: Community College Careers, by LaTasha Chaffin DeHaan, Josh Franco, Verónica Reyna, and Randy Villegas
- More than Reordering the Cover Letter: Preparing for Careers at Small Liberal Arts Colleges, Kelly Bauer and Shamira Gelbman
- Preparing for a Career at a Regional Comprehensive University, by Elizabeth A. Bennion, Monica E. Lineberger, and Eric D. Loepp
- Succeeding at a Research-Intensive Institution (R1 or R2), by Karen M. Kedrowski and Benjamin Melusky
- Weighing Up the Options: The Adventure of an Academic Career Outside of the United States, Dale Mineshima-Lowe, Pablo Biderbost, and Guillermo Boscán Carrasquero
- Making a Statement: Research, Teaching, and Diversity Statements for the Academic Job Market, Kelly Bauer, Colin M. Brown, Melissa L. Sands, and Maricruz Ariana Osorio
- A Limited Time Offer: Exploring Adjunct, Visiting, and Fixed-Term Positions, Austin Trantham, Connor J.S. Sutton, Margaret Mary Ochner, and Jennifer E. Lamm
- The Academic Interview/Marathon, by Christopher Macaulay and Michelle D. Deardorff
- You Have an Academic Job Offer…Now What? Negotiating Advice from Two Perspectives, William O’Brochta and Lori Poloni-Staudinger
- Started from the Bottom, Now We’re Here: Navigating the Job Market Without a “Top Tier” PhD, by Rachel E. Finnell and Alexandra T. Middlewood
- Getting “Us” a Job: The Two+ Body Problem and the Academic Job Market, by Tyler P. Yates
- APSA's Career Paths Series
- APSA's Pedagogy Workshop
- Preparing Teaching Materials for the Job Market, By Sondra Richards.
Applied Career Track Resources:
- APSA's Careers Diversity Committee Resource Page
- Strategies for Navigating Graduate School - select chapters:
- Pushing the Boundaries of Your PhD: Exploring Careers Outside the Ivory Tower, by Danielle Gilbert, S.R. Gubitz, Jennifer Kavanagh, and Kelly Piazza
Resources to Support Undergraduate Enrollment:
- Where Can Political Science Take You? APSA Presidential Task Force on Rethinking Political Science Education (American Political Science Association, 2024).
- "What is the Point of a Political Science Degree?" By Josiah Franklin Marineau (Journal of Political Science Education, 2020).
- "Increasing Enrollment in Political Science Majors: Opportunities and Challenges" By Susan Scarrow and Bennett Grubbs (Notes from APSA's 2023 Department Chairs Annual Meeting Luncheon Roundtable).
Hiring, Tenure, and Promotion:
- "Systemic Inequalities in the Discipline." APSA Presidential Task Force on Systemic Inequalities in the Discipline (American Political Science Association, 2022).
- APSA Resources for Diversity Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement.
Program Assessments:
- "Outcomes Assessment in Higher Education as a Scientific/Intellectual Movement: Implications for Political Science," By Fletcher McClellan (Journal of Political Science Education, 2021.)
- “Assessment in Political Science Redux: Introduction.” By Michelle D. Deardorff (PS: Political Science & Politics, 2016).
- Assessment in Political Science, By Michelle D. Deardorff, Kerstin Hamann, John Ishiyama. (American Political Science Association, 2008).
- APSA's Updated Resources for Conducting an External Review, 2023. (APSA Departmental Membership required.)
- APSA's External Review Program (APSA Departmental Membership required.)