Teaching the Presidential Election
Online Professional Development Course
October 6 – November 9
The Teaching the Presidential Election online course is designed to provide educators with both content and pedagogy knowledge centered on the 2008 Presidential election. The course is based on five lessons, each to be completed over the span of one week, for a total course lasting five weeks. Each lesson is themed and will consist of three parts.
The first is a lecture by Dr. John Kenneth White of The Catholic University of America and relates relevant content to the participants through a video lecture. Following the completion of the lecture, participants will receive a historic case study that follows the theme of the lecture. Using the provided primary and secondary sources in the case study, participants will examine the historic election in the context of the current 2008 contest.
Finally, each lesson will include instruction and structured reflection on how to convert the new knowledge into a resource for classroom application. This will be accomplished through peer sharing via blog posting and direct instruction from the National Constitution Center’s professional education staff.
Successful completion of the course will result in the receipt of three graduate level credits from Arcadia University in Glenside, PA. You will receive a final transcript with a grade as a record of your work.
Read the complete syllabus
Learning more about online course from the New York Times Knowledge Network
To register visit: Arcadia University Online Registration Page
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Questions about taking the course
Who should take this course? Educators who are interested in engaging their students in the current and future presidential elections. The course content is applicable for teachers of all subject areas and all grade levels K-12.
How much work will I have to complete? The requirements for the course are the completion of a series of tasks each week for five weeks, and the completion of a final lesson plan for submission and grading. Each week you will watch a lecture, participate in discussion via online discussion boards, and write a short blog/reflection to share with fellow educators in the course. You will be required to purchase one book and chapters are assigned weekly with an estimated page length of approximately 25 pages. You will have a full week to complete each of the five lessons; you can start and stop at anytime you do not have to complete the entire lesson in one session, just within the allotted week.
What are the technology requirements? If you are reading this webpage you almost have all of them. To access the online course and participate, your meet the following requirements:
- A valid email address
- Use a Mac, PC/Windows, or Linux computer
- Access to the internet (a broadband connection such as cable, DSL, or the connection in your school)
- A web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari)
- Able to watch Macromedia Flash video
Once you register for the course you will receive an email notification one-week prior to the start of the course, which will provide you with a user name and password for the Epsilen course system At that point you can login and test your computer system. If you cannot access the course or you feel that your system cannot handle the site you can notify teacher@constitutioncener.org and you will be dropped from the course with no charge to you.
How much does it cost? The total price is $559 plus the cost of one paperback book (approximately $20) your tuition covers the entire course including: online video lecture, access to message boards, live chat access with faculty, and an extensive set of classroom ready resources.
Still have a question? Send an email.