The American Electoral Process: A Never-Ending “Teachable Moment”

Abstract

Elections at all levels of government offer an excellent context for enhancing students’ political learning and serve as opportunities to foster not only political knowledge but also civic skills and attitudes. This reflection piece offers examples of how the author has utilized recent primary contests as springboards for such instruction—both inside and outside the classroom. With the 2016 general election looming on the horizon, the article promises to offer ideas to educators who wish to integrate evidence-based pedagogical techniques into their coursework and make the most of the election as a “teachable moment.”

For civic engagement practitioner-scholars, elections are always “teachable moments.” Educators use their classrooms—and sometimes their surrounding communities—as “laboratories of democracy,” employing evidence- based methods of instruction to foster informed and engaged citizenship in their students. All elections offer such political learning opportunities, and the most recent primaries and caucuses were no exception. In this reflection, I will share ways in which I have utilized elections, including the recent primary contests, as springboards for political learning, including work both inside the classroom and throughout the campus itself. As the 2016 general election fast approaches, I hope this article offers ideas for other educators who wish to enhance their instruction, connect students to the political process, and prepare their students to be active citizens now and into the future.