Impact of Course Structure on Students' Political Efficacy and Knowledge

• In Event: Inside the Classroom: Inclusiveness, Efficacy, and Ideology

Abstract

Introduction to American Government is a foundational general education course meant to promote understanding of democracy and students' ability to participate in it. But, there is substantial variation in how the course is structured: it can enroll anywhere from a dozen students to hundreds; it can be delivered synchronously or asynchronously online; it can be face-to-face. Does course structure affect students' learning about democracy? We conduct a panel survey of students enrolled in American government at a large university. We leverage variation in structure at the university to assess its impact on growth in students' political efficacy and knowledge over the semester. The results shed light on how best to achieve course goals, a timely contribution given the proliferation of course structures due to the pandemic and the importance of renewing democratic values in America.

Authors

• Eve M. Ringsmuth, Oklahoma State University

• Joshua Jansa, Oklahoma State University