Teaching Political Science with Pop Culture

Political science is a discipline devoted to understanding how people behave within systems of power. However, many undergraduates have only studied politics in the context of courses that ask them to memorize a series of dates and events. Even engaged students can struggle to shift their perspective to the kind of analysis political scientists are used to. I propose an alternative tool for teaching complex political science concepts: pop culture, specifically blockbuster films. I highlight two examples: teaching about ethical AI with Captain America: Winter Soldier and teaching about descriptive representation with Barbie. The benefits of teaching with pop culture go beyond advertising. They give students an inroad for talking about complex ideas in a seminar setting, which builds camaraderie, develops students’ confidence, and prepares them for a successful college career of learning.