Teaching Politics Beyond the Book


Book Description

To teach political issues such as political struggle, justice, interstate conflict, etc. educators rely mostly on textbooks and lectures. However, many other forms of narrative exist that can elevate our understanding of such issues. This innovative work seeks new ways to foster learning beyond the textbook and lecture model, by using creative and new media, including graphic novels, animated films, hip-hop music, Twitter, and more. Discussing the opportunities these media offer to teach and engage students about politics, the work presents concrete ways on how to use them, along with teaching and assessment strategies, all tested in the classroom. The contributors are dedicated educators from various types of institutions whose essays span a variety of political topics and examine how non-traditional "texts" can promote critical thinking and intellectual growth among students in colleges and universities. The first of its kind to discuss a wide range of alternative texts and media, the book will be a valuable resource to anyone seeking to develop innovative curricula and engage their students in the study of politics.




Teaching Politics Beyond the Book


Book Description

This innovative collection focuses on the use of alternative texts and new media to engage students and improve learning outcomes in political science.







Teaching International Relations


Book Description

This comprehensive guide captures important trends in international relations (IR) pedagogy, paying particular attention to innovations in active learning and student engagement for the contemporary International Relations IR classroom.




Entertainment Media and Politics


Book Description

The prominence of politically-themed entertainment is evident across the global media landscape. Given its popularity, it is important to gain a firm understanding of the mechanisms through which this diverse and multi-faceted content can generate democratic outcomes. In addition, it is essential to isolate and predict properly the strength of a given effect and the conditions under which a specific outcome will become evident. The works contained in this edited volume explore affect- and cognition-driven processes of influence, recognizing that humans are both emotional and rational beings. In addition, empirical evidence is offered to isolate and compare specific types of political entertainment media content (e.g., different types of satire) and citizens’ proclivities for this content (e.g., a person’s Affinity for Political Humor), in order to best understand the complex means by which entertainment media can generate political influence. Attention is also paid to expanding what can and should be defined as "political entertainment" media, which includes opinion-based political talk programming. The collection and its authors represent a global perspective to reflect the rise of political entertainment media as a global phenomenon. This book was originally published as a special issue of Mass Communication and Society.




The Political Battle over Congressional Redistricting


Book Description

John Engler, former Governor of Michigan, once claimed that redistricting is one of the purest actions a legislative body can take. Academicians and political leaders alike, however, have regularly debated the ideal way by to redistrict national and state legislatures. Rather than being the pure process that Governor Engler envisioned, redistricting has led to repeated court battles waged on such traditional democratic values as one person, one vote, and minority rights. Instead of being an opportunity to help ensure maximum representation for the citizens, the process has become a cat and mouse game in many states with citizen representation seemingly the farthest idea from anyone’s mind. From a purely political perspective, those in power in the state legislature at the time of redistricting largely act like they have unilateral authority to do as they please. In this volume, contributors discuss why such an assumption is concerning in the modern political environment.




The Aporia of Rights


Book Description

The Aporia of Rights is an exploration of the perplexities of human rights, and their inevitable and important intersection with the idea of citizenship. Written by political theorists and philosophers, essays canvass the complexities involved in any consideration of rights at this time. Yeatman and Birmingham show through this collection of works a space fora vital engagement with the politics of human rights.




Biotechnology, Education and Life Politics


Book Description

What should individuals and society do when genetic screening becomes widely available and with its impact on current and future generations still uncertain? How can our education systems around the world respond to these developments? Reproductive and genetic technologies (RGTs) are increasingly controversial and political. We are entering an era where we can design future humans, firstly, by genetic screening of "undesirable" traits or indeed embryos, but perhaps later by more radical genetic engineering. This has a profound effect on what we see as normal, acceptable and responsible. This book argues that these urgent and biopolitical issues should be central to how biology is taught as a subject. Debate about life itself has always been at the forefront of connected molecular, genetic and social/personal identity levels, and each of these levels requires processes of communication and debate, what Anthony Giddens called in passing life politics. In this book Pádraig Murphy opens the term up, with examples from field research in schools, student responses to educational films exploring the future of RGTs, and science studies of strategic biotechnology and the lab practices of genetic screening. Life political debate is thoroughly examined and is identified as a way of connecting mainstream education of biology with future generations. Biotechnology, Education and Life Politics will appeal to post-graduates and academics involved with science education, science communication, communication studies and the sociology of education.




Teacher Education at the Edge


Book Description

International Education Inquiries is a book series dedicated to realizing the global vision of Education 2030. This vision involves “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.” The founding editors seek to provide a forum for the diverse voices of scholars and practitioners from across the globe asking questions about transforming the vision of Education 2030 into a reality. Published chapters will reflect a variety of formats, free of methodological restrictions, involving disciplinary as well as interdisciplinary inquiries. We expect the series will be a leading forum for pioneers redefining the global discussion about the people, places and perspectives shaping Education 2030 outcomes. Education 2030 topics of interest include, but are not limited to, • Improving access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education; • Ensuring equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality education; • Increasing the number of youth and adults who have skills relevant for sustainable living and livelihoods; • Ensuring equal access for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations; • Achieving levels of literacy and numeracy required to engage in communities and employment; • Acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including: * Human right * Gender equality, * Promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, * Global citizenship education, * The appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contributions to sustainable development, • Providing safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all; • Recruiting, preparing, supporting, and retaining quality teachers.




Beyond Books, Butts, and Buses


Book Description

Beyond Books, Butts, and Buses: Ten Steps to Help Assistant Principals Become Effective Instructional Leaders is intended for ambitious future principals who recognize the importance of researching and preparing for that esteemed position. It contains ten steps that will lead those who are stuck in the duty world of books, butts, and buses to find ways to prepare for instructional leadership. This book lays out strategies, suggestions, and checklists that will help support the learning. There are scripts, organizational tools, and rationales for following through on the implementation of these steps. There are also samples of different types of walk-throughs, agendas, and planners to help one get and stay organized. A campus administrator position is a hectic, crisis-of-the-moment type of job, and these chapters address how to handle these moments (or how to head them off!). The need for balance in one’s life is spoken to as well, with a chapter devoted to how to avoid burnout. This is a must-read for assistant principals serious about wanting to prepare themselves for the top position in a school.