When great minds don't think alike: using mock trials in teaching political thought

Ahmadov, Anar (2011) When great minds don't think alike: using mock trials in teaching political thought. PS - Political Science and Politics, 44 (03). pp. 625-628. ISSN 1049-0965

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Abstract

This article examines a mock trial I have developed and used in teaching the history of political thought. Mock trials have been underused but have great potential to become an effective and exciting tool for student learning in this area. In this mock trial, the plaintiff, defendant, attorneys, and witnesses are eminent political or economic thinkers or political leaders of the past. Active engagement in this mock trial helped my students immensely in gaining deeper insight into and a more nuanced understanding of the ideas of the thinker they represented, as well as enhancing their critical and analytical abilities and improving their research skills. As a teaching tool that is amenable to creative adaptation, a mock trial can be an engaging and effective exercise for delving into the history of political thought and making it more relevant.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJourna...
Additional Information:	© 2011 Cambridge University Press
Divisions:	Government
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2011 13:43
Last Modified:	11 Dec 2024 23:55
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/37444

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