The 2016 Presidential Election and the Introductory American Government Class
In this session, we explore how the 2016 presidential election can be used in the classroom to bolster student engagement and learning. We discuss a multitude of topics, including: watching and reporting on presidential debates, in-depth comparison of the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primaries, identifying a primary/caucus state and predicting the outcome using web-based resources, and integrating news media coverage in real time. We also include PowerPoint lectures, paper assignments (required and extra credit), and applications from the Revel™ edition of Government by the People.
David Magleby, Brigham Young University
The 2016 presidential election for all of its oddities can be used in the classroom and class assignments to bolster student engagement and learning. In this Webinar I will share ideas from my own introductory American government classes in 2015 and 2016 as well as my plans for the remainder of the semester. Among the topics to be discussed: Watching and reporting on presidential debates — In-depth comparison of the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primaries — Identifying a primary/caucus state and predicting the outcome using web-based resources — Integrating news media coverage in real time — Discussion of key issues in campaign: immigration, income inequality, trade, international relations — Impact of a Supreme Court vacancy in the middle of a presidential nomination battle — How outsiders like Trump, Sanders, and Cruz impact political parties — Discussion of candidate appeal as it relates to Donald Trump. This webinar will also include PowerPoints from my lectures, paper assignments (required and extra credit), and applications from the REVEL edition of Government by the People.