The information in several chapters, like the chapters pertaining to the institutions, provide for an in-depth analysis. I didn't notice any serious grammar problems. All the chapters have commendable "Finding Middle Ground," "Insider Perspectives," and "Links to Learning" website listed. The "Key terms" section at the end of each chapter is a great resource for students studying for multiple choice exams. Reviewed by Eric Radezky, Adjunct Professor, LaGuardia Community College, CUNY on 5/21/18, This textbook is very comprehensive. I spotted no factual inaccuracies, and the text does not belay any obvious political bias. For the most part, this book does as good a jobif not betterat sidestepping this capsules in time and offering something that need not be edited or updated often (though, some updates are always necessary as government is constantly evolving). And the Fall of the Patronage system in Section 1 of Chapter 15 also stood out to me as excellent. Thus, instructors who want to cover highly salient domestic policy issues like healthcare or immigration may need to assign supplements. The text's interface is similar to any American Government textbook and has clear charts, tables, and numerous features that are clear and unobtrusive. Perhaps the next addition could include an index listing the section number of those various tools to make it easier for students to find. The chapter on State and Local Government was a nice addition, but I am not sure how many instructors would be able to cover this material in addition to the other material required in an Introduction to American Government course. I think that the textbook goes too far in this direction. Mediating Institutions and Collective Action 4. The textbook has clear images and charts. The online navigation is exceptionally good. I do find, however, the text to be more densely worded than preferable. My preference would be to have these topics addressed earlier on in the textbook. I do think that some modules could be combined, but for the most part the author accomplishes this well. American Government and Civic Engagement, entire unmodified textbook can be accessed here on OpenStax, SLED (Statewide Library Electronic Doorway), "Slave Streets, Free Streets" - Virtual Tour of Baltimore, c. 1815, World War I: Why Young Men Wanted to Go To War. Important terms are underlined throughout the text making it easier for students to see the terms they should know for testing. There seem to be problems with the formatting, though that could just be on machine, with some not converted paragraphs. Nevertheless, this section is missing the Articles of Confederation. by. There is no distortion of text, images, or figures; this is all very clear. Us Government Democracy In Action Teachers 2000. Yes, the text is clearly divided into sections, chapters, and subchapters, all numerically outlined and structured in a clear way. Customize the learning experience for differentiated instruction using leveled reading, customizable assessments and worksheets, and flexible online learning tools. If practical, it would be helpful if there were a hyperlink to OYEZ or Cornell LII for each case. In general, I am impressed by the amount of thought and research that has gone in to preparing this edition. I think students would have an easier time digesting the information in this book than some of the other textbooks I have used. The book covers all of the basic components of American government. It provides an effective index as well as a glossary of key terms at the end of each chapter. This textbook covers all the main topics need for American government 101. I did not identify any issues with the accuracy of the textbook content. 334-335). I believe students prefer more than black and white words. The text is consistent in its use of terminology. Focus on big ideas with an accessible student text built around essential questions and inquiry. Outputs of Government) and chapters that fold under the broader categories (i.e. There are areas where graphics examples could be updated; a few of the federalism chapter charts are using 2014 data. All of the topics you would expect to be covered in an American government 101 course are here: origins of our republic, institutions, individual action and collective action. Instructors will have no difficulty omitting certain topics/chapters. The main framework chapters are excellent and thorough. I like the text's thematic emphasis on student participation. Right from the start is an engaging "What is Government" and "Who governs" introductory sections, followed by excellent descriptions of our constitutional backgrounds and developments, United States Government: A Textbook | Mr. E's Codex United States government (2003 edition) | Open Library The text repeatedly incorporates up-to-date examples to illustrate its reasoning and explain how foundational themes relate to contemporary political developments. Reviewed by Nicole Kalaf-Hughes, Assistant Professor, Bowling Green State University on 2/1/18, The text covers all areas that one would expect from an introduction to American Government textbook. The Art Program, which "is designed to enhance students understanding of concepts through clear and effective statistical graphs, tables, and photographs", is excellent. This is a pragmatic generation of learners. The book contained appropriate section breaks so that students can jump directly to the relevant subsection. The textbook is ideologically neutral throughout, with one exception. Because of the breakdown by the author, students can tackle smaller blocks of material easily and I believe that this will help with comprehension of the material. Examples depicting the new terms are plentiful. The modularity is effective, though the order of the contents is the order I've been using for years, so I wouldn't have to make any changes.. I love the inclusion of recent current events. Overall I find the writing to be at an appropriate level for first-year college students. The opening parts of the book though do focus a bit more on economics than I would prefer. It was updated in 2020. Many different races, backgrounds, ethnicities are presented to give the reader a well-rounded picture of how all different groups participate in the American governmental process. The United States is an indirect democracy or a republic. The foundational building blocks of the republic that are provided are similar to the last two textbooks I used (We the People & By the People) and for that matter correspond to the textbook I myself used over thirty years ago in my Intro course which I still refer to in the classroom. I also think the book does a good job bringing in gender concerns throughout the text. PDF 12th Grade United States Government Scope and Sequence - Washington, D.C. It also includes a chapter on State and Local Government. I do wish there was a bit more of a unified explanatory framework that was used throughout the chapters, though. I found the textbook culturally sensitive and in no way offensive. Though as I said before, more recent in time statistics, graphs, charts, and pictures would help, the use of the visuals organizationally as far as charts, maps, and graphs is very good. This means that you promise loyalty to the United States. Actually, I think it is. The red links in areas of the textbook are distracting. In the next sentence, the author writes "Another way the media socializes audiences is through framing." read more. And finally, it contains both sections on individual rights and liberties as well as policy and bureaucracy. The textbook does not contain a glossary. The examples used throughout the text are inclusive of a variety of races, ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds. And the text generally attempts to present its material in a balanced and unbiased way, presenting several perspectives on controversial issues. At the edges, the composition of Congress and descriptive representation will need to be updated. Each chapter offers an introduction, 3 to 5 written sections covering the topic, key terms, summary, review questions, critical thinking questions, and suggestions for further study. The concepts are: growth of democracy, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, civil liberties . That said, those places were few and far between. Uses contemporary examples, but not in depth cases that may be needed in higher level courses. The unit heading probably need more explanation and their rationale for selecting the chapters under each unit topic spelled out. Reviewed by Leslie Caughell, Assistant Professor, Virginia Wesleyan College on 2/8/17, This book is very comprehensive. In the pages that follow you will find information to help you better understand how the machinery of . In short, more up to date statistics and graphics should be there. Very clearly explains important concepts; I can use my own assignments to require graduate level thinking and expand on the complications/interactions of the text concepts, etc. For example, the definition of the margin of error that is provided is not technically correct, and the example that follows the definition is not correct even in a non-technical sense. There is no unifying logic, but the lack of this epistemological perspective is one strength of the book. Offers coverage of topics that most instructors would cover in such a class, including political behavior, civil rights/liberties, American There were a few places where the order within the chapter was slightly distracting (the media chapter comes to mind), but this was not a major issue. I would have preferred more of this, but the book was adequate in this regard. The United States democracy is based on principles and ideals that are embodied by symbols, people, and documents. -- to shed light on a wide variety of phenomena and encourage students to think analytically. This is particularly identifiable in chapters one and two. The text does not run the risk of becoming obsolete in a short period of time; however, many of the examples are quite common to other introductory American Government texts. It is pitched at an appropriate level for undergraduates in an introductory class, and is in no way patronizing as some of these books can often be. Particularly well written is the "Approach to Foreign Policy, p. 650, especially, the "Classic Approach" and the more recent history of U.S. foreign policy. 34 Question #69. 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 United States Government Manual. have even added very impressive policy chapters (domestic and foreign) that you only see on occasion. Reviews. 11.1 seems to overstate the present state of equality in Congressional elections, especially given voter suppression. The judiciary doesn't change that often and it rarely affects more than two members at a time.