Teaching Political Theory
Book • 2022
Nicholas Tampio's 'Teaching Political Theory' defends a humanistic vision of the discipline that emphasizes immersion in canonical texts and broad intellectual engagement rather than narrowly methodological approaches.
The book provides practical guidance on designing syllabi, lecturing, assignments, and assessments while making a case for the pedagogical value of classical thinkers for understanding contemporary politics.
Tampio advocates close reading of key passages, Socratic dialogue in class, and techniques to help students unfamiliar with dense texts develop interpretive skills.
He situates this pedagogy against trends toward professionalization and method‑driven political science, arguing for the continued relevance of a literary, historically grounded political theory.
The work aims to keep alive a mode of doing political theory exemplified by figures like Hannah Arendt.
The book provides practical guidance on designing syllabi, lecturing, assignments, and assessments while making a case for the pedagogical value of classical thinkers for understanding contemporary politics.
Tampio advocates close reading of key passages, Socratic dialogue in class, and techniques to help students unfamiliar with dense texts develop interpretive skills.
He situates this pedagogy against trends toward professionalization and method‑driven political science, arguing for the continued relevance of a literary, historically grounded political theory.
The work aims to keep alive a mode of doing political theory exemplified by figures like Hannah Arendt.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 0 episodes
Mentioned by ![undefined]()
![undefined]()
![undefined]()
Jeffrey Church
Nicholas Tampio
Nicholas Tampio
Episode 200: Colin Bird, Jeffrey Church, and Nicholas Tampio - How to Teach Political Theory
