Effect of a Required American Government Course on Community College Students' Political Self-Efficacy

• In Event: Democratic Citizenship in Education Paper Session 1

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of a required introductory American federal government class on the overall, internal, and external political self-efficacy of students at a large, Midwestern community college. It also investigated student perspectives regarding this general education requirement. Survey research was conducted with a sample of students enrolled in American Government 101 in Spring 2016. As a follow-up, six survey completers were interviewed and four themes were identified during the qualitative analysis. Quantitative data analysis revealed significant change in overall and internal political self-efficacy. There was no significant change in external political self-efficacy. Qualitative analysis generated four themes: positive perspectives on general education, eye-opening information, engaging instruction and atmosphere, and personal democratic outcomes.

Authors

• Kristin Matthews, Tulsa Community College

• Hallett Hullinger, Oral Roberts University