Krutz joined the Department of Political Science in 2002. 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. democracy: key principles, institutions and problems professor david beetham 21 the judiciary in democratic governance: some insights from the indian experience ms. justice m. fathima beevi 31 some important problems and aspects of democracy in the context of the black african states professor abd-el kader boye 37 I did not see any grammatical errors while doing so. This usefully guides the reader and provides the shared language and conceptual understanding necessary for more nuanced, thoughtful analysis. The text is a fully integrated print-digital solution for students and teachers. An innovative inclusion is that, in addition to the standard chapter on federalism, American Government (2e) also includes a separate chapter (14) on State and Local Governments. Analysis of political institutions is well-balanced with substantial attention to the role of the individual and collective action. Display features are intuitive and not confusing to the reader. This Electoral College voting method is referred to as the district system." This is particularly identifiable in chapters one and two. The second edition of the text provides more than 100 substantial updates from the last two years. read more. read more. The textbook utilizes a wide array of references to various cultures, both in its written content and its supplementary graphics. The 5 sections of the book could also be broken apart, for instance I would assign Chapter 15, but not 16 or 17, given the constraints of time. I found the book well-organized and based on a logical structure. At the same time, I should point out that, at least in my view, the book is organized in an unconventional way. Google Apps. Inquiry Journal:This interactive print worktext is built around essential questions and permits students to develop their inquiry skills using analysis, primary sources, and evidence-based writing. Welcome to our textbook for the year. I do think the other subsections on elections get a little shortchanged. The textbook is relevant and up to date, relative to the time it was published. It is well-written and proof-read. The text is internally consistent with respect terminology and framework. Naturally, in a subject like government and politics there are a host of judgment calls relating to the meaning of certain terms and events and in this regard, I respect the judgment of the authors and believe they presented the material in an unbiased manner. The text contains no grammatical errors that jumped out at me which is quite an accomplishment in such a voluminous text. ), does a bit better job of using a small number of key concepts transaction costs, conformity costs, free riding, the prisoners dilemma, etc. The book builds upon what students have already learned and emphasizes connections between topics as well as between theory and applications. Books.Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy . I like the "Feature Boxes" with the "Get Connected!" The sections on Native Americans lose their lands and on the rights revolution are too simplistic historically. All about United States Government Our Democracy Textbook is exactly what you need. The text's prose is written in a clear and concise fashion. Reviewed by Gale Czerski, Adult Basic Education Instructor, Portland Community College on 6/20/17, This textbook provides a comprehensive framework for introductory American government. Find step-by-step solutions and answers to United States Government: Our Democracy - 9780076634538, as well as thousands of textbooks so you can move forward with confidence. The way the book is organized makes a lot of sense. 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Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy. The content is accurate, straightforward, and unbiased. There is a consistent pattern in terms of the major headings outlined at the beginning of the book. I would have included in most, if not all chapters after the constitution, sections where students would be guided on how to engage with politics effectively in the context of each chapter. Calderon, Juan / US Government Textbook PowerPoints - McGrawHill 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. But the Krutz book has won back my confidence. and J. D. and Lee Arbetman and Megan L. Hanson and M.S. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.--Preamble to the United States Constitution B. This is a positive choice as it provides students with some knowledge of state and local government without usurping the information that is taught in a state and local government class. The text's consistency is quite strong in that it provides a comprehensible, conceptual framework and predictably organized units, chapters, and sections for the study of American government and politics. Most of the chapters are accurate but I found two main problems: the map on different types of government (Chapter 1) and the chronology of the Bill of Rights (Chapter 2). Democracy is a means of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy reflects citizens' preferences. 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. If anything, the text may be a bit on the long side. Also, I believe that the material on Parties should be placed closer to the material on campaigns and elections. It avoids jargon and does a very good job clearly defining terms. The book seemed to use inclusive examples--for example, the racial breakdown of the federal judiciary. I made significant checks throughout the textbook and found it to accurate in the information provided. Defining Democracy 1. On the Appendices section, I like that it includes an appendix with relevant court cases (Appendix E). (Read Madeleine Albright's Britannica essay on democracy.) Chapter . I have used this text successfully in the classroom, and students generally respond positively to it. I didnt find any interface issues in this textbook. This textbook is perfect for my American government course that I teach to undergraduates at the community college level. The text is wide-ranging and inclusive to a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in its examples, particularly in the chapters on individual agency and action. Bill of Rights Poster: File Size: 199 kb: File Type: pdf: . The entire unmodified textbook can be accessed here on OpenStax, where you can also download a PDF, install the app, or even order a hard copy from Amazon if you desire. The material offered more than meets the appropriate standard for a textbook used in a first or second year course in American Government and Politics. have even added very impressive policy chapters (domestic and foreign) that you only see on occasion. I don't see how you could read text meant for an 8.5 by 11 inch page on a smart phone. Thankfully, though, the chapters are easy to move around. The use of the Electoral College and same-sex marriage across chapters are examples that I found useful in this regard. I do wish there was a bit more of a unified explanatory framework that was used throughout the chapters, though. As always, you have the flexibility to organize the course content as you like. I'm seeing paragraph errors on my machine, but that may be unique to me. There is an additional chapter on State & Local government aside from the chapter on federalism - which offers An innovative inclusion is that, in addition to the standard chapter on federalism, American Government (2e) also includes a separate chapter (14) on State and Local Governments. The text is not overladen with jargon, and when specialized terms are used, there is an effort to provide definitions for terms. The material progresses in a way that makes the most sense. But that does not render it an invalid tool. My own opinion is that the biggest shortcoming is a lack of current events coverage. Further, each section within the chapters does contain a glossary of bolded terms. I found the language clear. read more. There are a few points the author may want to consider. The situation is presented to students in a completely objective fashion. } However, chapters are sometimes questionably or confusingly organized, and compress wider subjects that usually receive broader treatment into footnotes or brief passages. I am seriously considering using this text the next time I teach introduction to American Government. The foundational building blocks of the republic that are provided are similar to the last I certainly will moving forward. However, all textbooks--standard or OER--face this issue. There is a vibrant discussion in modern research on the balance between socialization and genetics in public opinion research that should be included. The supplemental materials (graphs, charts, figures, etc.) But there is never a number or way to identify the image/picture attached to the Figure reference. The United States is an indirect democracy or a republic. The writing is clear and error-free. I spent a significant amount of time reviewing and reading this textbook. The book was not culturally insensitive or offensive. Though I had trouble accessing the PDF and online versions, it appears to have been an issue with the browser I was using at the time. In a couple instances such as above, they simply need to be done. U.S. Government: Our Democracy helps educators teach students about government and how to "do democracy.". However domestic and foreign policy are rushed at the end while lobbyists and other peripheral topics enjoy a more central position. American Government by Krutz and Waskiewicz is an exceptionally good textbook. One of many things I like about this textbook is that it is well organized throughout. There certainly is enough relevant and timely material to assign a chapter per week for the one semester Intro type class, especially when combined with the supplementary material noted above. The index is clear and useful and the chapter glossaries are excellent. PDF Course: United States Government, Course# 2106310 Title: United States So do be sure, if adopting this text, to carefully preview the chapters for any issues like this. 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. This text could very easily replace the book I have used Comprehensive in terms of concepts and how they related to current ideas. Identify politics should be present in more sections of the text. Unit II Assignments. A democracy, consequently, must be confined to a small . But that seems like a limitation of this medium, not of this particular textbook. The concepts represented in the text also make case teaching via policy/politics news easy, even if the textbooks examples were to be stale - - which they are unlikely to be. Although the book does not add a specific domestic policy area, the choice of three areas on domestic policy, foreign policy and state and local government is refreshing. The sources cited, within the sections of each of the various chapters, are from reputable, recognizable experts in their fields of study. Figures and images were clear and undistorted. The 2020 census will alter the reapportionment section on Congress and the Electoral College. I can definitely see the advantage of having them all in one place. The supplementary material within each chapter/section like Finding Middle Ground and Milestone can be an effective tool for the instructor to use for additional student engagement or an activity as such go deeper into a particular concept than mere text can. The text's modularity is such that the instructor that would be able to easily reorganize and realign the readings to fit the curricular requirements of the course taught. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster and everyone else has a seat belt. Equality in voting 2. The framework of the text is internally consistent. It also includes a chapter on The book addresses difficult issues in an appropriate way. government, this book integrates instruction about state and local government throughout, rather than relegating these vital institutions to a unit at the end. I think it does an excellent review of the issue of slavery and how it impacted US government. The book is actually slightly longer and denser than other texts I have assigned for an introductory course in American I like how there are separate chapters for Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. Everything appears to be up to date, especially in the Voting and Elections chapter, with 2012 statistics and current pictures. The concepts are: growth of democracy, federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, civil liberties . Generally speaking, I think this textbook does as good a job at this as any other good textbook. The work provides a comprehensive overview of both the formal and informal political institutions that one would expect to find in an introductory-level American Government text. The chapters are well organized and user friendly. The content of the book is accurate. The real differences of course align along questions of *what* aspects of society and the economy ought to be controlled, and by whom--liberals want to control some areas, conservatives others. Donald A. Ritchie, Richard C. Remy. font-weight: 400 !important; United States Government: Our Democracy (2016) Publisher: McGraw-Hill . Tipping the Scales Toward National Power. read more, 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. Yes, the book is internally consistent in terms of its discussion and its presentation of information. The text is impressively comprehensive, both with respect to its range of coverage and depth of discussion of each topic. The content of the work is accurate and unbiased. Clear organization led to clarity of content. The cited political science literature is excellent. I reviewed several chapters for discussion areas that students often time find difficult to understand due to the terminology used, such as federalism, civil liberties, civil rights and bureaucracies. The overall structure moves formal institutions to the back of the book which is different than how I structure my course but the chapters are modular and allow the professor to assign chapters independently and mix and match to lecture chapters. Students first learn what constitutes a government. The presentation of the material lends itself to be easily modified to accommodate changes in the political sphere. Instructor and student resources are need improvement. The text features sophisticated and accessible prose. Chapter 2. I have used it in my classes and value its comprehensive nature and the ease of access and affordability it provides for my students. The book is very accessible. Uses contemporary examples, but not in depth cases that may be needed in higher level courses. The text is consistent in its use of terminology. Reviewed by Matthew Wright, Associate Professor, American University on 2/1/18, The book is comprehensive in that it has everything I usually look for in an intro to American government text: I spotted no factual inaccuracies, and the text does not belay any obvious political bias. I would not consider this to be a fatal flaw by any means, but one of the advantages of a digital text is that these types of updates are easier to make. Download Here pdfsdocuments2 com. Each chapter is clearly divided into main sections with learning objectives, and there the text is further divided under clearly delineated sub-section heads. Reviewed by Matthew Jacobsmeier, Associate Professor, West Virginia University on 4/15/20, 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. There are also some advantages to this textbook, including clarity of the writing and various appendixes that include the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Federalist 10 and 51 right in the book. 60. Analyze a variety of primary and secondary sources including text excerpts, political cartoons, photographs, graphs, charts, and maps. The textbook does not include much Great looking book and the price point would be very beneficial to students. Making it possible for a student to read 2-3 pages and then stop/think about what they have covered. This is an excellent and comprehensive American Government textbook. The textbook is consistently outlined. Everything in this textbook looks accurate to me. Examples depicting the new terms are plentiful. Relevant archival documents and photos add to the appeal. Reviewed by Robert Asaadi, Instructor, Portland State University on 2/22/22, The work provides a comprehensive overview of both the formal and informal political institutions that one would expect to find in an introductory-level American Government text. The chapters, at more than thirty pages are relatively long for some students so all of the material within a chapter may not be read. As mentioned earlier, the book is reasonably up to date. In short, more up to date statistics and graphics should be there. This textbook does a nice job covering women Chapter 7, especially in regards to elections. However I do feel that stylistically the presentation of in-text citations is cumbersome and distracting. 1st - 10th Amendments: The Bill of Rights, 1791. With this objective in mind, the content of this textbook has been developed and . Our School" Reopening Plan; Daily Bulletin; S3 Grant; Principal's Message; Mission & Vision Statement; Bell Schedule; Contact Us; Policies & Procedures; . In fact, I wish there was an entire chapter devoted to Campaigns and Elections. If anything it simplifies our history as to discrimination and racism in the direction of being overly intolerant of past civil rights violations in the light of past cultural norms based on ignorance and insecurities that darken our history, and with which the present continues to deal with. by Richard C. Remy. The book contained appropriate section breaks so that students can jump directly to the relevant subsection. This is somewhat backwards to how I teach the course in my mind. LearnSmart with SmartBook adaptive ebook helps students learn faster, study more efficiently, and retain more knowledge. To be clear, it is not culturally insensitive.