Making politics palatable: Using television drama in high school civics and government classes.

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Lisa Brown Buchanan (Creator)
Wayne Journell, Assistant Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: The authors make a case for using The West Wing, a political drama that aired on NBC from 1999 to 2006, as an instructional tool in high school civics and government classes. The show offers a realistic portrayal of life in the White House through the eyes of Democratic President Josiah Bartlet and his senior staff that can further students’ understanding of the traditional curriculum and aid teachers in broaching controversial political issues in their classes. Using two representative episodes from the first season, the authors describe how high school civics and government teachers can use The West Wing to achieve their instructional goals. The authors conclude by offering general suggestions to teachers wishing to use the series as part of their instruction.

Additional Information

Publication
Language: English
Date: 2012
Keywords
politics, film, secondary education, civics, government, The West Wing, social studies, education

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