Teaching and Learning Conference

The 2012 APSA Teaching and Learning Conference will be held in Washington, DC, February 17-19, 2012.

Early registration will open in mid October 2011. Like presenters, discussants register for and follow a single track and should stay with their chosen track for the duration of the conference. Space in each track is limited; discussant slots are available on a first-come-first-serve basis until filled.

The deadline to submit a proposal has passed.

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Using a working-group model, the conference provides a forum to develop models on teaching and learning as well as to discuss broad themes and values affecting political science education. The conference is organized into 12 tracks constructed around specific themes, during which paper presenters and conference discussants can interact on a sustained basis focused on a track theme. In addition to the working groups, the conference features workshops that focus on practical issues related to teaching. Proposals are welcome for paper presentations and workshop presentations on the themes listed below for each category.

Paper Themes

The meeting consists of 12 tracks* constructed around these themes:

Within the working groups, paper presenters report on their original research as part of a sustained and extended presentation, conversation, and discussion. Individuals interested in applying to present should submit a substantive proposal on an idea or model for teaching and learning in political science as it relates to one of the themes listed above.

We especially welcome papers that incorporate the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), methods of assessment, the use of technology, strategies for professional development, innovations in diversity and inclusiveness, and experiential learning (across all tracks). All papers should include original research, literature reviews, evaluation, hypothesis testing, analysis of results or other critical assessment.

Paper Guidelines

Each selected paper presentation:

can have a maximum of two (2) presenting authors (although the number of non-presenting authors can exceed that)
will be allotted an approximate 12-minute block for the author(s) to present--co-authors may divide or share presentation time but the total time for each presentation will not exceed 12 minutes.

^{(* Themes may be split into more than one conference track.)}

Workshop Themes

Workshops focus on practical issues related to teaching and allow participants to interact with political scientists outside of their assigned conference track. The call for workshops includes the following themes:

Workshops present the participants with an opportunity to acquire a new pedagogical outlook or knowledge on a particular topic within teaching and learning. It is recommended that workshop presenters be prepared to present an interactive workshop that emphasizes audience involvement and demonstrations.

The workshops are offered as an addition to the traditional working group model. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend at least two workshops in addition to their participation in a themed track.

Workshop Guidelines

Each selected workshop presentation:

has no presenter maximum
will be allotted an approximate 90-minute block ( the length of a track session ) to present.
must be interactive

Submit a Proposal

When you are ready to submit a working group or workshop presentation proposal, login to MyAPSA and in the Teaching and Learning Conference area, select the "Submit a proposal" link.

Review Process
Paper and workshop proposals will be reviewed and selected in a peer-review process.

Notification, Track Assignment and Paper Archive
Notices for accepted and rejected paper and workshop presentations will be distributed via email in early October. Accepted paper presentations will be assigned to a specific track. Paper author(s) and workshop presenter(s) will have until the mid-October to accept or decline the invitation to present. Author(s) were required to post materials related to their presentation (i.e., completed papers, PowerPoint presentations, webpages, simulations, etc.) online by January 2011, so that all participants may review them prior to the meeting and fellow track participants may prepare comments.

Registration and Attendance
In keeping with the working group model, all meeting participants and discussants are expected to remain with their assigned track for the duration of the entire conference. Presenters are joined in these tracks by discussants.

Registration will open in mid-October.

Exhibit Information
Exhibit, advertisiting and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Questions? Please contact teaching@apsanet.org.