Implementing Quality Matters in The Political Science Online Classroom

Abstract

As colleges and universities push to offer more online offerings, particularly during this current pandemic, concerns about upholding standards of excellence surface. As a result, programs like Quality Matters (QM) have flourished in an attempt to make courses not only easily accessible, but also tied to learning outcomes. This paper takes a look at the Quality Matters framework with the goal of easing new instructors into the process; it breaks down the specific review standards into easily understandable “bucket” categories, and assesses how it fits within introductory political science and international relations courses. It will also make recommendations on potential activities and assignments to help fit QM’s active learning framework, which should be helpful for new and seasoned instructors alike.

Keywords:

• Quality matters
• online learning
• international relations pedagogy
• political science pedagogy

Acknowledgments

This paper was presented at the annual Southern Political Science Association conference held in San Juan, Puerto Rico in January 2020. We would like to thank the discussant of our panel and the anonymous reviewers for their feedback.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bibek Chand

Bibek Chand is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Affairs at University of North Georgia. His broad research interests include foreign policy, international security and geopolitics. Specific interests include the international relations of small states, the emerging notion of the Indo-Pacific, and Sino-Indian interactions in the Asia-Pacific. He teaches a wide range of courses including introduction to International Relations, theories of International Relations, and security studies.

Maria Gabryszewska

Maria Gabryszewska joined LSC-CyFair in Spring 2018 as a political science professor. Prior to moving to Texas, she taught Political Science as well as Writing and Rhetoric courses at Florida International University, where she finished her doctorate. Maria’s primary research interest is American politics with a focus on women and politics, Congress, Political Communication, Political Behavior, as well as interdisciplinary pedagogical approaches.