APSA Virtual Research Conference: Research Groups on Political Science Education

Two of the research groups at the upcoming APSA Virtual Research Conference (April 10-11, 2025) may be of interest to our readers. Applications are due by 14 February. Consider applying if you want to join in these conversations and help push forward either rethinking the undergraduate major or the subfield of political science education research, including establishing a reading list, a graduate training curriculum, and research agendas.

The State of the Field of Political Science Education

Workshop Organizers: Amanda M. Rosen (U.S. Naval War College*); Tavishi Bhasin (Kennesaw State University)

This Research Group will bring together researchers working in political science education for several purposes. First, we aim to begin establishing a canon or foundational reading list of essential works in political science pedagogy. At present, there are no formal or informal lists guiding an early career scholar who wishes to conduct research in this growing subfield. Second, we seek to consider and reach a consensus on what a “SOTL subfield” (Trepanier 2017) might look like within graduate programs. Finally, we will outline core research categories, most common methodologies, and areas of future research to guide new scholars. Participants will discuss key questions in the subfield and identify understudied areas, ideally inspiring cross-institutional projects addressing these three goals. *Author views are not to be taken as representative of the US Naval War College, Department of the Navy, or Department of Defense

Rethinking the Undergraduate Political Science Major in Challenging Times

Workshop Organizers: John Ishiyama (University of North Texas); Michelle Deardorff (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)

This Virtual Research Group Workshop will feature papers exploring the curricular structure of undergraduate political science programs, responding to the American Political Science Association’s (APSA) reconsideration of undergraduate education in the discipline. We welcome workshop contributors to illustrate how their programs have implemented APSA’s recommendations, focusing on student learning outcomes and drawing on experiences from a diverse range of undergraduate institutions. In particular, we encourage submissions responding to the 2024 APSA Presidential Task Force Report on Rethinking Political Science Education.