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Connecting Students to Politics through a Multi-ClassCampaign Simulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2007

Mack D. Mariani
Mack D. Mariani
Affiliation:
Xavier University
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Extract

Simulations are an important complement to a traditional politicalscience education in that they can promote active learning andenhance student understanding of course material. Simulations canalso provide students with the opportunity to learn and developimportant research, writing, public speaking, and analysis skills.This essay describes a multi-class campaign simulation of my owndesign that was run in two upper-level government courses during thespring of 2006 at Hamilton College. This simulation is designed topromote student engagement in political ideas and concepts from thevaried perspectives of candidates, campaign staff, parties, themedia, and voters. At the same time, the simulation also helpsstudents develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in apolitical campaign, legislative office, or other professionalpolitical environments.I wish to thankSharon Waring Rivera and Brian S. Glenn for providing helpfulcomments on earlier versions of this paper.

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Type
THE TEACHER
Information
PS: Political Science & Politics , Volume 40 , Issue 4 , October 2007 , pp. 789 - 794
Copyright
© 2007 The American Political Science Association

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