What do college students know about American government and when do they know it?
by Bryant, Jane, Ph.D., SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AT CARBONDALE, 2008, 213 pages; 3320326

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of American Government 101 on students’ political knowledge, internal efficacy, and confidence in government. Furthermore, the study explores the role of structural and individual characteristics on post scores of all three dependent variables.

The study employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodology. For the quantitative portion, a pre and post assessment tool was administered to American Government 101 students during the course of this study. In order to bolster the findings, a comparison group of students who did not complete American Government 101 during the course of the study. The qualitative element consisted of a thematic analysis of responses from a series of interviews with students who completed American Government 101.

Findings from this study will be useful to instructors as they plan curriculum for future American Government 101 courses. Additionally, administrators will find the results of particular interest in the areas of hiring and course mapping. Finally, the study will be useful to students and the public at large who might be interested in the effects of political education at the college level.

 
AdviserScott McClurg
SchoolSOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AT CARBONDALE
SourceDAI/A 69-08, p. , Nov 2008
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsSocial sciences education; Political Science; Higher education
Publication Number3320326
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