Rethinking the Undergraduate Political Science Major

In 2022, the American Political Science Association initiated a review of the undergraduate major, culminating in the 2024 Presidential Taskforce Report on Rethinking Political Science Education. Focusing on programmatic design rather than classroom instruction, this innovative volume serves as a companion to the report. Addressing challenges like declining enrollments, demographic shifts, and the need for employable skills, it provides research-backed guidance for department-level curriculum development.

Led by John Ishiyama and Michelle Deardorff, this book offers insights for making substantial changes to the political science degree. Each chapter highlights case-study examples and high-impact best practices, including curricular assessment, continuous improvement, and demonstrating value. Diverse contributors, experts in the scholarship of teaching and learning, outline specific discipline-based student learning outcomes as well as critical reflection questions. Care is taken to root these considerations in the special concerns of a variety of different academic institution types – community colleges, liberal arts colleges, public universities, and research-intensive universities.

By providing rich data and perspectives for implementing program revision, this essential professional resource presents a unique, comprehensive, and applied roadmap for political science administrative leaders and faculty looking to adapt and thrive in an evolving higher education landscape.