The Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 on Political Science Teaching

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly changed political science higher education—shifting courses and instructors online with little preparation. What might be the long-term effects of teaching through this crisis? Combining both open-ended and forced-choice survey questions with focus-group conversations, the data reveal a picture of faculty who are doing more for students and feeling strained by the efforts. Despite the challenges of teaching online during these difficult circumstances, attitudes toward online teaching did not decline universally. Those with more experience teaching online before the pandemic held a more favorable view of online teaching when they were surveyed during the pandemic. The data also show that the emotional burden on faculty increased, with female faculty members carrying a particularly heavy load. Because online classes likely will play a major role in the future of teaching political science, understanding the pandemic’s effects—both positive and negative—is critical.