Fiction, Literature, and Visual Art as Case Studies in Introductory Courses

Presenter Information

Kelly Grenier, University of Kentucky

Publication Date

2023

Abstract

This paper explores the usage of art in the college classroom to teach political theories and concepts. Rethinking how instructors can teach introductory political science courses to students socialized in a contentious political culture, this paper argues that art-based assignments in lieu of traditional case studies are well-suited to this challenge. Offering examples from an introductory political science course, this paper demonstrates the approach in action and offers suggestions to apply this approach in other disciplines and institutional settings.

Author Biography

Kelly Grenier is a political science instructor and PhD student at the University of Kentucky. Extending her research on cultural censorship, she has observed that content presented through the arts is a powerful teaching tool, which may deepen respect for cultural diversity, encourage empathy, and animate civic engagement among students.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.