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

by Glover, Robert W.; Tagliarina, Daniel

• ISBN13: 9781441105608
• ISBN10: 1441105603
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-11-22
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

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.

Author Biography

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.

Table of Contents

1. Preface/Acknowledgements2. Introduction-The Turn Towards Alternative "Texts" in the ClassroomLiterary Texts-Section Introduction- 3. Ancient Riches: Teaching Political Philosophy through The BibleRobert M. Bosco,4. Literature from the Global South: 'Uncharted' and Under-utilized Resources for the International Politics ClassroomMichael Kuchinsky5. Critical Pedagogy in Hard Times: Utopian Socialist Literature as a Means for Teaching Economic CrisisRobert W. Glover and Daniel TagliarinaArt and Visual Media -Section Introduction-6. Laughing and Learning: Using Political Cartoons to Teach PoliticsJoan Conners7. Graphic Novels in the Political Science ClassroomKenton WorchesterMusical/Theatrical Media-Section Introduction-8. Why Do Students Resist Hip Hop StudiesTravis Gosa9. Stirring the Melting Pot: Promoting Political Literacy through Music and MixtapesShyam K. Sriram10. The Case is Submitted: Re-Enactment Theatre and U.S. Supreme Court Oral ArgumentsNina Kasniunas11. The Comparative Politics of the Zombie AttackSteve WilliamsonFilm and Television -Section Introduction-12. Knowing How to Curse: Learning Political Philosophy from Deadwood" Paul Cantor13. The Politics in Pixar: The Underlying Messages of America's Animated FavoritesWilliam J. Miller, Jeremy D. Walling, and Jill D. Miller14. American Students, African Conflicts, and Hollywood: The Advantages and Unintended Consequences of Using Film to Teach African Politics.Christopher R. Cook15. War and Peace on FilmJeffrey S. LantisInternet a Social Media-Section Introduction-16. Teaching Political Theory with Twitter: The Pedagogy of Social NetworkingAri Kohen17. (to be determined)18. (to be determined)19. Conclusion