Is Attention to Current Events Among Political Science Majors
Habit Forming
Dr. Len Champney and Dr. Jean Harris
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA 18510
Presented at the 2006 APSA Teaching & Learning Conference
Introduction
The topic of civic education has become a prominent one among political
scientists as well as college administrators. It is common to find in the mission statements
of institutions of higher education the goal of preparing students to be responsible
citizens. A review of the table of contents of the last five years of PS: Political Science &
Politics as well as education journals highlights a renewed interest in and debate about
the best means of accomplishing civic education.
Institutions of higher education expect political science faculty members to
provide all students (not just political science majors) with the political knowledge
deemed essential to political participation. This is a means to fulfilling the institutions’
missions, specifically the common goal of fostering the development of responsible
citizens. Knowledge of current political events and debates is an important component of
a person’s political knowledge, which is correlated with her/his political participation. Do
college students pay attention to news reports? Can college students develop the habit of
paying attention to news reports?
What is a responsible citizen?
There is no consensus definition of “responsible citizen.” Do people have to
engage in politics to be responsible citizens? What engagement is political engagement?
Should engagement in volunteer and civic groups be included in the definition of
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