Cherie Strachan, Professor of Political Science, Central Michigan University & JPSE Reviews Editor
This essay originally appeared in the Political Science Educator’s Spring 2019 issue.
The Journal of Political Science Education is soliciting reviews of relevant materials for our Reviews section. The primary function of this section is to offer informative, constructive discussion of resources for teacher-scholars in the discipline of political science. These reviews might address how recent scholarly work in the discipline affects our efforts to engage students in the classroom. For example, a review of a recent work on increasing partisan polarization among the electorate might address the difficulty such circumstances pose for discussing controversial political issues with students. Meanwhile, the review of a new scholarly book on diminished political participation might emphasize the way the findings underscore the importance of adopting civic engagement pedagogy. In addition to recent scholarly works, the Journal of Political Science Education (JPSE) also accepts reviews of books that address specific pedagogical approaches (e.g., service learning, civic engagement, simulations, on-line learning, inclusive classrooms), current trends in higher education (e.g., decline of shared governance, increased reliance on adjunct instructors, changing demographics of the student body), and professional development (e.g., landing a job in academia, balancing teaching and research, earning tenure).
Unlike the traditional book review section of other journals, however, the JPSE solicits reviews of a much wider array of teaching materials and professional development resources. Examples of these material includes not only traditional textbooks, but any widely available resource or activity related to teaching. Such resources might include on-line textbooks and course materials, supplementary course materials, simulations, films and documentaries, professional development workshops or conferences, consortiums, or professional associations.
The JPSE reviews should not simply describe the book or materials under consideration. They should explain to readers how the resources address our ability to more effectively teach students – whether the effect on our teaching comes from a more diverse array of professors earning tenure in the discipline, the strengths and weaknesses of a new pedagogical approach, or the features of available textbooks and teaching materials for a particular class.
If you are interested in writing a review (of materials you have already read/used or are willing to accept an assigned topic), please contact the JPSE Reviews Editor, Cherie Strachan (at strac1jc@cmich.edu).
Political Science Educator: Editor’s Reading List presents select PSE articles from the previous 15 years. APSA Educate is please to announce it will feature all future Political Science Educator‘s issues.
