Oakeshott’s pedagogic philosophy and the “omission of passion” in political science education

The political science undergraduate curriculum is often organized around providing students with professional preparation, skill-building, and civic training. These three aims, while timely and useful to the student populations they serve, often overlook both important ends of a college education and the unique features of a political science program. We argue that political philosopher Michael Oakeshott’s reflections on the meaning, purposes, and characteristics of education facilitate a restructuring of the curriculum that may help political science educators revitalize and engage their students today. We discuss Oakeshott’s work on both political education and university education, highlighting the attributes of his educational philosophy most relevant for educators today. We conclude with solutions for modern educators that accord with this philosophy, offering recommendations for how teachers of both theory and empirics can intentionally incorporate a pedagogical approach that centers the needs of today’s students.