The second annual APSA Conference on Teaching and Learning in Political Science took place on President's Day weekend at the Bethesda Marriott. The 2005 Conference continued the progress made at the pilot meeting in 2004 by promoting greater understanding of cutting-edge approaches, techniques, and methodologies that can be applied in the political science classroom.

This meeting provided over 240 participants with a workshop-based forum to develop models of teaching and learning as well as a chance to discuss broad themes affecting political science education. Participants also heard from APSA President Margaret Levi (University of Washington) and keynote speaker Lawrence Baum (Ohio State University).

The meeting was comprised of eight principal tracks, including:

• Civic Education/Engagement
• Diversity
• Experiential Learning
• Global Perspectives/International Models
• Research Methods and Techniques
• Service Learning
• Student Assessment/Learning Outcomes
• Technology

The Conference addressed crucial questions in higher education, such as enhancing student engagement via civic education, service learning, and assessing learning outcomes; integrating international models and into teaching and learning methods; and strengthening efforts by learned societies such as APSA to support good teaching.

In addition, the Conference reflected APSA's objective of reaching out beyond traditional approaches to higher education, and includes college/university faculty, high school teachers, librarians, publishers, as well as international participants. What began as a simple effort to talk about teaching has developed into a community-wide discussion by many partners with a stake in the educational process.

2005 Conference Highlights

The following items are highlighted materials from the second annual APSA Conference on Teaching and Learning in Political Science:

• Official 2005 Program (PDF)
  
• Participant Papers and Presentation Materials 
  
• "2005 APSA Teaching and Learning Conference Track Summaries," PS, July 2005 (PDF) 

2005 Teaching and Learning Conference Program Committeee

• Michelle D. Deardorff, Jackson State University
• Alan R. Gitelson, Loyola University-Chicago, Chair
• Lester Kenyatta Spence, Washington University
• Kendra B. Stewart, Eastern Kentucky University
• Kathleen Young, University of Maryland, College Park