When in Rome, Do as The Daily Show Does: Using Jon Stewart's America: The Book as a Textbook for Introductory Level Classes to American Politics.

Let's face it. The return of students to campus in the fall always brings about the same apprehensions. We have to prepare for the upper level political science classes. What papers should be assigned? What books should be used? What kind of standards should be pushed? Unfortunately, too often the preparation for the higher level classes means that many of us turn to an old reliable intro level text (or at least the newest edition of the same book). The problem always arises year after year however: How do we get the students to engage and digest the text, and not just open the book for the first time the day before the exam? I think that a solution is to use non-traditional methodology to reach and teach those students who are often written off as politics averse. By utilizing Jon Stewart's America: The Book as a primary text for intro classes and The Daily Show as a current events news source, especially in an election year, I believe that we are better able to introduce students to complex topics of political science as well as retain their attention and engagement levels throughout the semester. This paper examines the changes that have taken place since the transition from standard political science textbook to non-traditional source. It also suggests other ways that we might be able to reach students without sacrificing rigor and information. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]