A Pedagogy of Engagement in Higher Education

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between youth, citizenship and political science education. It argues that, at present, false barriers exist between research and teaching and between learning and experiences in society, which unnecessarily create distance between political science and real-world politics. Through a ‘pedagogy of engagement’, we have the power to break down these barriers: research and teaching are mutually beneficial as are learning and life beyond the classroom. For political scientists, this can lead to a closer coupling of their work to real-world politics, increasing its relevance beyond the academy reach out to policy-makers. The paper begins by showing how research into political science education can shed light on existential questions in political science, such as: ‘What is politics?’ and ‘How do (young) people come to understand politics?’. It then discusses how education, politics, and society are interlinked – for researchers and students to understand how politics works, it is necessary for them to engage in ‘experiential learning’. The paper then explores the intimate connections between political science education and civic education. Finally, it reflects upon how a closer relationship between teaching, research and ‘public engagement’ has the potential to give political science education a greater relevance beyond the academy.