LBGTQ issues were integrated in many of the chapters and this is refreshing. The text repeatedly incorporates up-to-date examples to illustrate its reasoning and explain how foundational themes relate to contemporary political developments. Students can read individual sections or chapters online (in a way vaguely reminiscent of Wikipedia), they can download a free PDF of the entire book, or more traditional students can order a hard copy of the book from Amazon (at a price that's still less than half of what students might pay for a book from a commercial press). As mentioned earlier, the book is reasonably up to date. The book contained appropriate section breaks so that students can jump directly to the relevant subsection. Furthermore, I think there are not enough appropriate charts and illustrations to engage student attention. The writing appears to be objective and factually correct. The material is not overly self-referential. Nearly every chapter has classic and current concepts to understand the evolution and development of institutions. However I do feel that stylistically the presentation of in-text citations is cumbersome and distracting. Reviewed by Peter Wielhouwer, Associate Professor of Political Science, Western Michigan University on 12/14/18, This text covers nearly all of the major topics covered in American Government texts. I think it would be harder to pull apart sections of the book independently and rearrange them. - A good set of basic references at the end of each chapter. The book covers all the main topics that good introductory American Government textbooks typically cover and also includes chapters on topics that are not covered in detail in many textbooks. Overall, all expected topics, and then some, are covered, hence the text is certainly comprehensive enough by any measure of expectation in an introduction to American government text. It covers necessary topics clearly and comprehensively. I am glad to have discovered this book. For example, I appreciate the discussion of women as political candidates in the chapter on elections. The AP U.S. Government and Politics framework is organized into five commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Reviewed by Vicki Jeffries-Bilton, Instructor, Portland Community College on 12/31/21, The textbook includes virtually all topics that are critical to foundational course(s) in U.S. Government. The text contains a variety of ideas and concepts. As to presenting information in an unbiased minor, I would argue that Kurtz et. VII of the Constitution. I can definitely see the advantage of having them all in one place. Digital Student Learning Center:Includes the full student edition and inquiry journal, plus engaging resources that provide context and bring the narrative to life such as maps, timelines, infographics, primary sources, images, and videos. I also wish that some videos were integrated into the text as students love videos and this might help to draw them into the content even more. Below are the modifiedexcerpts that are assigned to you. This is probably a sensitive issue. I think it would be very easy to pick and choose which parts of the book you would want to assign. The figure icon needs to be fixed or dropped. Modularity is excellent. The text does not contain any grammatical errors. The textbook is consistently outlined. There are some lapses here. GOVERNMENT Arms War It's a long-standing debate. Its framework is solid. There is much more in this book than I could use in a term, so I would select portions of the chapters. I look at these minor issues as an opportunity for teachers to clarify in lecture, rather than deal-breaking issues. As I have shared, I suggest fewer "Note" features within the already long paragraphs of content, and in fact a tightening as well of the length of the reading text. I didnt find any interface issues in this textbook. In updates to this text, it may be useful to search for more contemporary illustrations of key concepts, and this would be a relatively easy fix to implement. Faculty involved in the project have endeavored to make government workings, issues, debates, and impacts meaningful and memorable to students while maintaining the conceptual coverage and rigor inherent in the subject. This is certainly the Achilles Heel of American government textbooks, some of which have been written as direct reactions to, say, the 2016 elections or the lens of inequality. Although there is an internet link to the Articles in Chapter 2, I find it more useful for students to have access to the Articles within the textbook so they see they are important. I have not tested it on a smartphone; however, on a computer the book is easy to navigate - to move between chapters, sections, pages, etc is easy. Also, where is David Hume? The chapter organization is clear, so it would be easy to teach the chapters in a different order. Subchapter titles like organizing to govern are a bit confusing. This text could very easily replace the book I have used Comprehensive in terms of concepts and how they related to current ideas. The Founders and Federalism. However, there were some paragraphs, that were a bit wordy and I am concerned that at times the author may lose the student due to this wordiness. Grammar is as good as one would expect from a textbook from a commercial press. But by sticking to institutional logic, historical examples, and well-established topic controversies that are not going to go away (abortion, executive orders and the use of force, the civil service), the book does an excellent job at avoiding the publishing industrys penchant for planned obsolescence. Thus, instructors who want to cover highly salient domestic policy issues like healthcare or immigration may need to assign supplements. Rousseau more clearly articulated the concept of Social Contract, borrowed from Locke. Everything is going to be okay. Yes, the book is internally consistent in terms of its discussion and its presentation of information. Understanding Economics. Also, the authors do not explain the Electoral College sufficiently as it relates to the 2 parties. Sylvie Waskiewicz, PhD, is an editor, researcher and writer who specialties include textbook publishing and e-learning instructional design, including copyediting and proofreading with meticulous review of text, layout, and media from first pages to printer proofs as well as QC of web content (HTML/XML). The previous comment represents a slight stylistic concern in the area of organization, but not a major one. This is a very impressive work, and I will most certainly adopt this book. The content of the book is accurate. In particular, I would like to see some more/more direct discussion of motivated reasoning. The text is suitably consistent even though there are many chapter authors. If you click on a chapter title, say Media, nothing happens, except it opens the subsections of the chapter. read more. The relevance of content is a real strength of this text. The links for figures seem to be useful in quickly navigating them. The book certainly has all of the topics expected of an Introduction to American Government text. The book clearly defines all the terms and theories and in plain language for non-majors to understand. For example, section 1.3 shows up as not converted. The way the book is organized makes a lot of sense. Good, though for my purposes (I teach a graduate level policy processes course), some could be broken down differently for my use. when necessary. Here, the author does provide a chapter on our crappy treatment of some groups, but it is not as inclusive as it could be, and sidesteps coverage of some important groups. Facilitate mastery of complex principles with dynamic digital tools. Gerrymandering and redistricting is continually evolving. However, I always start American Government with a discussion on political culture and that seems to be missing. Pricing for school accounts will display in the cart once you are logged in. These will not significantly modify the content of the text, so you should be alright either way. - A timely set of examples, nicely updated through the beginning of the Trump presidency. The best way to protect these rights was by limiting the power of government and allowing people to govern themselves. font-weight: 400;
Present the electoral information in tables and use the 2016 election as a case study. There are sections in the textbook that resemble a history textbook. This publication continues to be a popular introductory guide for American citizens and those of other countries who seek a greater understanding of our heritage of democracy. read more. This book is very impressive, as is. Well, longevity is a tough matter for this kind of text. It would be easy to rearrange the chapter order of this textbook to suit the needs and style of most anyone teaching an American government 101 course. The text's interface is similar to any American Government textbook and has clear charts, tables, and numerous features that are clear and unobtrusive. Thought/theory/philosophy explained while discussing history of government. Likewise, the reasoning in Chapter 9 Political Parties as to why we have only two major parties lacks depth. It covers all the bases of an Introduction to American Government and then some. For example, the chapter on political parties has a nice section about divided government and political polarization (section 9.4), and the chapter on Congressional representation does a nice job of recognizing both the growing diversity of Congress as well as the continued ways in which Congress is less diverse than the American public (section 11.3). Similar t the question about modularity, the organization and flow of the book is partially a matter of the author and editor's preference. First, on page 15, in Figure 1.6, is a map illustrating different forms of government throughout the world. Lincoln preserved . Do away with elections and democracy itself might be saved, argues Alexander Guerrero. It is a well-written and solid introduction to American Government. This edition (2016) has been eclipsed by the huge changes under Trump, but that is also true of all 'standard' texts. Given by award-winning professors and experts in their field, these recorded lectures dive deep into the worlds of religion, government, literature, and social justice. This topic will require frequent updating. Customize the learning experience for differentiated instruction using leveled reading, customizable assessments and worksheets, and flexible online learning tools. Certainly this could just be a matter of preference, and obviously an instructor can teach topics and assign chapters in whatever order they desire, but I am puzzled by this decision. To report a technical problem with this Web site, please contact the Web Producer.Web . The organization and structure are good. The definitions in the glossary are precise. The text provides an accurate, informative, cost-effective option for college students. The chapters contain accurate information. The text is easily divisible into smaller sections that can be reordered within the course. read more. It is a well planned and logical progression of chapters and topics. The textbook is written in a way that is easy to understand. }
The subchapters themselves are internal divided with separate headers, though this third level organization is not numbered. Sections open with learning objectives that tell students the 2-5 most important things to take away from that reading, and quiz questions populate the text at the end of sections to help students self assess their understanding of the reading. are excellent for visual learners and certainly enhance the message of each section/chapter. Personally, I prefer to teach institutions before individual or collective action, and that looks like it would be easy enough to do with this textbook by simply assigning some of the later chapters first and then coming back to the ones in the middle of the book later. That was the first online textbook that I looked at and it gave me pause when considering using one. It will be interesting to see the update after Election Day. Gun-rights groups believe that the Second Amendment gives citizens the right to own and carry guns. This text, American Government 2e by Krutz and Waskiewicz, covers all areas and ideas of the subject appropriately beginning with the origins of each political construct, through its evolution in America, and trends into the future. Not much to comment on here. As clearly noted, I found far more to like about the text than not. This text could very easily replace the book I have used , but for next semester, the text needs to provide 2016 turnout and election data. The chapters in the Kurtz et al e-book covers all relevant chapters of American Government and even offers chapters on Foreign policy, Domestic policy and State and Local government. The authors and reviewers sought to strike a balance between confronting the negative and harmful elements of American government, history, and current events, while demonstrating progress in overcoming them. The use of terminology appears to be consistent between chapters and is a strength of the textbook as repetition is valuable for student retention of a particular term or concept. Reviewed by Nicholas Goedert, Assistant Professor, Virginia Tech on 6/20/17, The text is impressively comprehensive, both with respect to its range of coverage and depth of discussion of each topic. While the focus on diversity is certainly not as all-encompassing as some commercial books that make racial/ethnic diversity the "thesis of the book" (most notably McClain and Tauber's American Government in Black and White), the book certainly does not limit discussion of racial/ethnic diversity to the chapter on Civil Rights, as many textbooks have done historically. There is a standard form to intro Am Gov textbooks, and this one is pretty typical. Reading and writing support such as guided notes, vocabulary pop-ups, and graphic organizers help improve understanding of the content. This textbook covers the main topics of a course on American government. However, the text provides a strong historical perspective on the issues that it addresses, so much of the texts discussion will continue to be relevant and applicable even with the passage of time. The index is thorough and easily navigable with direct links to the relevant section of the text in which the key term is discussed. I found no problem with navigating the text. I really like that a section on state and local government is included. (Read Madeleine Albright's Britannica essay on democracy.) Other critical concepts such as "security dilemma" and "domino theory" need to be introduced. read more. The United States democracy is based on principles and ideals that are embodied by symbols, people, and documents. I saw no issues there. The book is clearly and accessible written. One of the first things that I check when reviewing any textbook is the organization of the information in the table of contents for its structure. At the same time, given the overall quality of this book and the money my students would save if I assigned it, I am seriously considering changing texts for the first time in over a decade. This is a plus of this text. The Art Program, which "is designed to enhance students understanding of concepts through clear and effective statistical graphs, tables, and photographs", is excellent. In reviewing the table of contents, I found the book has a logical flow that begins with defining what government is and then proceeds to provide information on the critical subjects of our American Government by Glenn Krutz covers a lot of ground. Us Government Democracy In Action Teachers 2000. The information is presented in a logical way. I did not find enormous blocks of text without subheadings. The accuracy of the content presented in the Kurtz et al book is as accurate and unbias as one would expect. Images and charts that are presented are not distractions at all, most of the time they are enhancements of the chapters. The textbook does not include much Chapter 8 on the Media is the best chapter I've seen on that subject. Reviewed by Donald Travis, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Gettysburg College on 4/17/20, I like the additional chapter on State and Local Government (Chap 14). 1997. Where is the concept of deterrence? The updates for most chapters should be easily accomplished. The hard copy version is sold by Amazon and other online retailers for about $20 (not sure it includes color for that price). However, it would be helpful if there were a way to transition back to the main body of the text from the note in question. On the other hand, on the divisive topic of LGBT rights, the discussion is pretty even-handed, adopting what is certainly the modal vocabulary of political science regarding these complex issues. Yes, the text is clearly divided into sections, chapters, and subchapters, all numerically outlined and structured in a clear way. I did not see any issues in terms uneven discussions or those filled with mistakes. Concerns: Textbook lacks yearly/semester pacing guide, limited ability to edit teacher resources . I liked the Supreme Court and Electoral College Appendices, very nice additions beyond the usual set of founding documents. This is a difficult problem, because our history of oppression and inequality is lengthy and robust, and so where does one start? In doing so, the approach seeks to provide instructors with ample opportunities to open discussions, extend and update concepts, and drive deeper engagement. Democracy is a means of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy reflects citizens' preferences. Right from the get go I enjoyed the section on Civic Engagement as United States Government: A Textbook. The writing is clear and accessible to an introductory-level undergraduate reader. Of course, the question is how many students really do that? The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world's oldest regional organization, dating back to the First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, D.C., from October 1889 to April 1890. Of course, whenever there are big changes on the Supreme Court or in the American governmental structure updates would need to be made. My own opinion is that the biggest shortcoming is a lack of current events coverage. I am especially excited about he design combining theory and practice and critical thinking. Traditional Democratic Theory 1. More than other textbooks I have used or read the framework of this textbook is more attuned to my style of teaching and presentation of material. It is not overly complicated and written at the appropriate level. Faculty involved in the project have endeavored to make government workings, issues, debates, and impacts meaningful and memorable to students while maintaining the conceptual coverage and rigor inherent in the subject. Tipping the Scales Toward National Power. This textbook is very comprehensive. References are balanced--not exclusively conservative or liberal--and include non-partisan resources.This text appears to be carefully edited and reviewed. Modularity in this textbook is handled well. Thankfully, though, the chapters are easy to move around. This is a pragmatic generation of learners. V. Democracy (pp. Although in the last decade I have opted for brief editions of American government, in an electronic format a longer text is useful for students who want to know more about topics that are difficult to cover in a fifteen week semester, including state and local government, public policy and foreign policy. They are usually a couple of paragraphs long and illustrate key concepts with practical examples followed by links to websites that have additional relevant information. An easy example is seen in not grouping the federal bureaucracy in part 4 with the other institutions, instead placing it in section 5, the outputs of government.
How Much Is A Tiffany Bracelet Worth,
How Long Did Brittany Matthews Play In Iceland,
Chris Fischer Ocearch Wife,
Stride Bank Chime Address,
Articles U