Delivery Methods in Introductory Courses

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Delivery Methods in Introductory Courses

• Presentation by Zhidas Daskalovski PhD,
  Department of Political Science, University of
  Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Macedonia

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Course Introduction to Political Science

• A first year course
• Obligatory course
• Gives students a broad overview of what political
  science is

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Topics covered

• Introduction, what is pol. science
• Early authors, history of pol. science
• Authority, power, leadership, elites, branches of
  government (executive, legislative, judicial)

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Topics Covered 2

• Forms of government (from anarchy to monarchy,
  democracy and dictatorship)
• Forms of government (confederacy, federation,
  unitary state)
• European Union
• Political ideologies
• Political parties and lobby groups

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Delivery methods

• Lecture
• Seminar type of discussions
• Debates on given topics
• Student presentations (the quantity conditioned
  by the grading system)

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Problematic Issues-conditionalities

• Not much time to prepare the delivery of the
  course this year
• Already established syllabus
• Two groups of students (classes) to teach

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Systematic Problems

• Size of class (large)
• Lecture duration (too long)
• Attendance taking (time consuming)
• Registering points for active students (time
  consuming)

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Systematic Problems 2

• Course literature (predetermined, lack of
  Macedonian language books)
• Problems with copies of the primary textbook
• Student culture (discipline lacking)

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Alternative methods to achieve working conditions

• Using laser beams promoting student discipline
  (Pointing noisy students to stop talking)
• Warning students
• Expelling students

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Alternative methods

• Handling extreme student misbehavior through
  whistle blowing
• Walking out of class until noise subdued

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Ways how to improve delivery methods

• Reduce the size of the class
• Have classes meet twice a week
• Establish rules of behavior before semester
  begins (written form best)