"Jon Stewart, Oral Exams and More"

[MelissaB]

This article was just sent to me by my hubby, the new dean of math and science at a university in Michigan. He knew I'd get a kick out of it.

Jon Stewart, Oral Exams and More

When newly minted Ph.D.’s get their first chance not only to teach sections of intro political science (as they did in grad school), but to pick the books, they are quickly confronted with a reality about their students: “They don’t read the textbook, ever,” said Ryan Lee Teten, assistant professor of political science at Northern Kentucky University.

At the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association Thursday in Chicago, Teten talked about his frustration over this, to nods of agreement in the audience. When he read the textbook (he didn’t name it, but said it was one of the standards for intro courses), he wasn’t much surprised by the students’ reactions. “If I’m falling asleep reading this....” he said.

...snip

When Teten received a copy of America the Book as a Christmas present, he started thinking about whether it could be a substitute for the textbooks. On one criterion for making the switch — would students read the book? — Teten said the choice was easy. But he stressed that he also wanted to consider whether the book would provide a good introduction to the key topics an intro course should cover, and whether it would encourage critical thinking.

On these questions too, he said Stewart’s book scores well. If you compare the table of contents of America the Book with those of traditional texts, Teten noted that they cover much of the same ground, with chapters on the presidency, Congress, the courts, the media, the world outside the United States, and so forth. To be fair, Teten noted that traditional texts don’t have chapters like “Congress: Quagmire of Democracy” or “The Rest of the World: International House of Horrors,” but the content covered is similar. Teten also cited research finding that “The Daily Show” is as substantive these days as the traditional news shows that a traditional political science professor might encourage his students to watch.

Of course there is that little issue of factual accuracy. But Teten has given that investigation and thought, too. First, he said that a review he did of America the Book convinced him that it was 90 percent true, with the rest satire. He assigns his students to write short essays on each chapter identifying what is and isn’t true (it’s not always obvious, he said), so he’s drawing attention to places where things aren’t quite complete, and teaching them to question what they read.

More here: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/08/31/polisci

[Felinity]

1. I'll K&R this

Irony of ironies.

You go, Jon.

[burythehatchet]

2. A national treasure, that man, as well as Colbert

[BrklynLib at work]

3. Isn't it a sad commentry when a satirical book written by a comedy team provides more information

and probably more accuracy, and is much more interesting, than the real textbooks....and of course more truth than the media provides.

[intheflow]

4. Well... Jon Stewart IS part of the media.

And Comedy Central is part of Corporate Media. But you're right that it's a sad commentary on traditional news outlets that more Americans get a better understanding of national and world events by watching a news satire than the actual news.

Welcome to DU, BrklynLib at work. :hi:

[BrklynLib at work]

6. Thanks intheflow. Glad to be here.

[JNelson6563]

5. It'll always be in my top 10

One of the funniest books ever. Brilliant, just like their shows (both Stewart's and Colbert's),

Julie

[MLFerrell]

10. I'll do you one better and say that it's THE funniest book ever...

What an innovative idea it is to use it as a textbook.

[JNelson6563]

11. You're probably right.

And I agree on the textbook comment. When I opened it up and saw "This book is the property of...." stamped in there, exactly like a real textbook, I knew it was going to be superb!

Julie

[EFerrari]

7. That's one smart teacher!

:)

[Hamlette]

8. absolutely perfect

I'm delighted that the best text book is Jon Stewart.

Now, if he would just write a bible. . .

[Lisa]

9. I screen "Daily Show" and "Colbert Report" clips in my college classes

I find that the items are usually presented in a way that can spark discussion, even if students haven't been watching the regular news or reading the newspaper.

Also, Stewart's "draw your own borders on the Middle East" map, in "America", was the perfect accompaniment to the unit I taught on colonialism, and the cultural/political impacts of the boundaries imposed by colonial powers (e.g. in Asia and Africa).