Teaching U.S. Constitutional Design: The Case of the "Genovian Revolution"

Autor/in	Ian G. Anson
Titel	Teaching U.S. Constitutional Design: The Case of the "Genovian Revolution"
Quelle	In: Journal of Political Science Education, 21 (2025) 1, S. 143-162Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Ian G. Anson)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1551-2169
DOI	10.1080/15512169.2024.2338161
Schlagwörter	Forschungsbericht; Constitutional Law; Design; Classroom Environment; Politics; Ideology; Political Affiliation; Conflict; Learner Engagement; Role Playing; Student Participation; Fiction; Active Learning; United States Government (Course); Debate; Introductory Courses; Simulation; Teaching Methods; Discussion (Teaching Technique); Classroom Techniques; Reflection; Learning Strategies + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Staatsrecht; Klassenklima; Unterrichtsklima; Politik; Ideologie; Politisches Interesse; Konflikt; Rollenspiel; Schülermitarbeit; Schülermitwirkung; Studentische Mitbestimmung; Fiktion; Aktives Lernen; Debating; Streitgespräch; Einführungskurs; Simulation program; Simulationsprogramm; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Klassenführung; Learning methode; Learning techniques; Lernmethode; Lernstrategie
Abstract	In the modern American politics classroom, ideological and partisan conflict have the capacity to interfere with a healthy classroom environment. This problem is increasingly apparent when students engage questions at the heart of U.S. Constitutional design. By asking students to inhabit fictional roles with preferences and attitudes that may differ from their own, classroom simulation activities present a potential solution to this issue. In the present study I introduce a two-week constitutional convention simulation that centers on the fictional Principality of Genovia. Working in groups, students assume roles within various segments of Genovian society who seek democratic representation following the sudden abdication of their autocratic prince. The simulation is designed to foreshadow key concepts in American government and politics. It does so in a way that allows for vociferous debate and conflict while sidestepping students' preexisting ideologies and party attachments. It also provides a collaborative, active learning environment that fosters healthy classroom dynamics and encourages later collaboration. In a pre-post survey instrument, I test the effectiveness of the Genovian simulation in fostering key learning outcomes and enhancing the student experience vis-a-vis several other classroom modules, finding that the Genovian exercise is beneficial to students on several dimensions. (As Provided).
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Begutachtung	Peer reviewed
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2025/2/04