Open-Source Educational Resources for Political Science Education

Session Submission Type: In-Person Roundtable

Session Description

At least through 2020, college costs continued to rise faster, much faster than the general inflation rate. College textbooks? Rising even faster. Meanwhile, the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic have worsened the prospects of those on the lower end of the income distribution and further increased economic inequality. A college education remains the best path to the middle class -- and perhaps our best hope for the kinds of civic education and engagement that our country so desperately needs.

Open-source textbooks, made available at no cost to teachers, students, or the autodidactic, are not the answer to all of life’s woes, but they are one way to reduce the financial burdens of higher education, especially for those whose financial burdens are greatest.

In this roundtable, educators who have written, produced, or used open-source materials in political science classrooms will share their insights on the strengths and weaknesses of open education resources (OER) and how they might be used to provide the highest quality information at the lowest cost. We will also be joined by representatives from the publishing side of the equation who will bring insight into what it takes to bring quality OER to fruition. The roundtable format will allow for a dynamic session that will allow for attendees to share their insights and experiences as well.

Sub Unit

• Division 10: Political Science Education

Chair

• Rachel Bzostek Walker Collin College

Presenters

• Mark Carl Rom Georgetown University

• Joseph Prud'homme

• Timothy C. Lim California State University, Los Angeles