Essentials of American Government

Understand American politics from past to present Essentials of American Government: Roots and Reform, 2012 Election Edition explores how the origins of American government affect the issues facing the United States today. This streamlined and flexible text offers the strongest coverage of history and current events. This approach encourages students to study present political structures and behaviors in full constitutional and historical context. The text helps students learn how our government evolved and how they can become more informed citizens. Most importantly, it encourages them to discover that politics can be-and most often is-a good thing. This text features full integration with the New MyPoliSciLab. MyPoliSciLab includes a wide array of resources to encourage students to look at American politics like a political scientist and analyze current political issues. Political Explorer lets students play the role of a political scientist by investigating issues through interactive data. Core Concept videos discuss the big ideas in each chapter and apply them to key political issues. Simulations allow students to experience how political leaders make decisions. A better teaching and learning experience This program provides a better teaching and learning experience-for you and your students. Here's how: * Personalize Learning-The New MyPoliSciLab delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. MyPoliSciLab is now compatible with BlackBoard! * Engage Students-The stunning visual design engages students in the text. * Improve Critical Thinking- Learning objectives in every chapter help students focus on important topics. * Analyze Current Events-Coverage of the 2012 elections keeps the study of politics relevant and shows how political scientists look at the development of the American political system. 0205950019 / 9780205950010 Essentials of American Government: Roots and Reform Plus 2012 Election Edition, NEW MyPoliSciLab with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package Package consists of 0205883990 / 9780205883998 Essentials of American Government: Roots and Reform, 2012 Election Edition 0205949975 / 9780205949977 NEW MyPoliSciLab with Pearson eText -- Valuepack Access Card

Table of Contents:
1. Brief Table of Contents 2. Full Table of Contents 1. Brief Table of Contents PART I: FOUNDATIONS OF GOVERNMENT Chapter 1: American Government: Roots, Context, and Culture Chapter 2: The Constitution Chapter 3: Federalism Chapter 4: Civil Liberties Chapter 5: Civil Rights PART II: INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT Chapter 6: Congress Chapter 7: The Presidency Chapter 8: The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy Chapter 9: The Judiciary PART III: POLITICAL BEHAVIOR Chapter 10: Public Opinion and the News Media Chapter 11: Political Parties and Interest Groups Chapter 12: Elections, Campaigns, and Voting PART IV: PUBLIC POLICY Chapter 13: Social and Economic Policy Chapter 14: Foreign and Defense Policy 2. Full Table of Contents PART I: FOUNDATIONS OF GOVERNMENT 1. American Government: Roots, Context, and Culture Roots of American Government: We the People | The Living Constitution Types of Government Functions of American Government American Political Culture and the Basic Tenets of American Democracy The Changing American Public | Explore Your World Political Ideology Toward Reform: People and Politics | Take a Closer Look | Infographic: Is the American Dream a Reality?

About the Author :
Karen O'Connor is the Jonathan N. Helfat Distinguished Professor of Political Science and the Founder and Director Emerita of the Women & Politics Institute at American University. Before coming to American University, Karen taught political science for seventeen years at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, where she was the first woman to receive the university's highest teaching award. She has been recognized by several associations as the most outstanding woman in political science and public administration as well as by the Southern Political Science Association for her contributions to the discipline. From 2010-2012, she has been selected by The Irish Times as one of the top 100 Irish American lawyers in the United States. Dubbed "the most quoted college professor in the land" by the Wall Street Journal, Larry J. Sabato bridges the gap between the ivory tower and the real world of politics. A Rhodes Scholar, Dr. Sabato has taught more than 15,000 students in his career at Oxford University, Cambridge University, and the University of Virginia. He has received every major teaching award at the University of Virginia, and in 2001, he was named the Thomas Jefferson Award winner. Dr. Sabato is the University Professor of Politics and director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, founded in 1998 to improve civic education and the political process. Follow Larry's Crystal Ball at www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball. Alixandra B. Yanus is Assistant Professor of Political Science at High Point University, where she teaches courses in Enduring Questions in Political Science, American Government, and Research Methods. She holds a B.A. in Political Science (summa cum laude) from American University and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her scholarly research has appeared in peer-reviewed venues including Justice System Journal and Politics and Gender and in book chapters published by Oxford University Press, CQ Press, and Sage.

Review :
"This is the standard which I judge other texts against. O'Connor still is the text to beat."-Richard Johnson, Oklahoma City University "By relying on multiple and complementary pedagogical approaches, American Government fosters student interest in this complex subject matter, strengthens critical thinking, and contributes to a sense of civic engagement."-Tony Wohlers, Cameron University "O'Connor is well-written and thoroughly updated. It is comprehensive and emphasizes the development of American government and politics. The text itself is assiduously unbiased and fair. Although it points out shortcomings in our political system, it does so in a context depicting American government and politics in a positive light." - Richard Himelfarb, Hofstra University