Teaching Politics Beyond the Book: Film, Texts, and New Media in the Classroom

by Robert W. Glover (Editor), Daniel Tagliarina (Editor)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441125118
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/22/2012
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.74(d)

About the Author

Daniel Tagliarina is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut. His research investigates constitutive effects between legal rhetoric and social understandings of rights, focusing on contemporary American conservatism.

Robert W. Glover is CLAS Honors Preceptor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Maine, USA. His research interests include democratic theory, human rights, and immigration politics. His recent research is featured in Political Studies, Philosophy & Social Criticism, PS: Political Science and Politics, and The Journal of Political Science Education.

Table of Contents

1. Preface/Acknowledgements \ 2. Introduction-The Turban Towards Alternative "Texts" in the Classroom \ Literary Texts \ -Section Introduction- \ 3. Ancient Riches: Teaching Political Philosophy through The Bible (Robert M. Bosco) \ 4. Literature from the Global South: 'Uncharted' and Under-utilized Resources for the International Politics Classroom (Michael Kuchinsky) \ 5. Critical Pedagogy in Hard Times: Utopian Socialist Literature as a Means for Teaching Economic Crisis (Robert W. Glover and Daniel Tagliarina) \ Art and Visual Media \-Section Introduction-\ 6. Laughing and Learning: Using Political Cartoons to Teach Politics (Joan Conners) \ 7. Graphic Novels in the Political Science Classroom (Kenton Worchester) \ Musical/Theatrical Media \ -Section Introduction- \ 8. Why Do Students Resist Hip Hop Studies (Travis Gosa) \ 9. Stirring the Melting Pot: Promoting Political Literacy through Music and Mixtapes (Shyam K. Sriram) \ 10. The Case is Submitted: Re-Enactment Theatre and U.S. Supreme Court Oral Arguments (Nina Kasniunas) \ 11. The Comparative Politics of the Zombie Attack (Steve Williamson) \ Film and Television \ -Section Introduction- \ 12. Knowing How to Curse: Learning Political Philosophy from Deadwood" (Paul Cantor) \ 13. The Politics in Pixar: The Underlying Messages of America's Animated Favorites (William J. Miller, Jeremy D. Walling, and Jill D. Miller) \ 14. American Students, African Conflicts, and Hollywood: The Advantages and Unintended Consequences of Using Film to Teach African Politics (Christopher R. Cook) \ 15. War and Peace on Film (Jeffrey S. Lantis) \ Internet a Social Media \ -Section Introduction- \ 16. Teaching Political Theory with Twitter: The Pedagogy of Social Networking (Ari Kohen) \ Conclusion17. (to be determined)18. (to be determined)19. Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

[E]ducators from all academic backgrounds should think 'beyond the book' and help prepare the next generation for a world we can only imagine today...an important volume for educators: it guides teachers to think outside the box and encourages them to experiment with new academic techniques. By sharing their experiences with readers, the contributing authors show that innovation in education is not only possible, it is necessary. The honest accounts by each author highlight the difficulties and successes of teaching politics without the book.
LSE Review of Books

This is a welcome addition to the small but growing number of books on the teaching of political studies.
Political Studies Review Volume 13, Issue 2

From the Publisher