Practicing Texas Politics (Book Only)

PRACTICING TEXAS POLITICS, 2015-¬2016 Edition, analyzes the practices and policies of the Lone Star State and gives students a realistic introduction to how public policy making is conducted there. This edition includes 11 new readings, a new chapter on the media and politics in Texas, expanded material on the courts and the criminal justice system in Texas, new critical thinking questions, and tightly integrated learning objectives throughout each chapter.

About the Author :
Lyle C. Brown, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of political science at Baylor University, where he served as departmental director of graduate studies and director of Baylor's Foreign Service Program. A former president of the Southwestern Council of Latin American Studies, Dr. Brown is the co-editor of RELIGION IN LATIN AMERICAN LIFE AND LITERATURE and the author of numerous articles. His international academic experience includes teaching at Mexico City College (now University of the Americas) and postgraduate study at the Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico. Dr. Brown has served as delegate to county and state political party conventions. He received his Master of Arts from the University of Oklahoma and his doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. Joyce Langenegger, Ph.D., teaches government at Blinn College, where she is the executive director of academic success. She also is a frequent workshop presenter on innovative teaching strategies. Named to the "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" listing, Dr. Langenegger has been honored with a NISOD Teaching Excellence Award, a Blinn College-Bryan Teacher of the Year award and a San Jacinto College "Most Valuable Player" award for her work as a professor and administrator at that institution. Before beginning her teaching career, Dr. Langenegger practiced law in Houston. She received Master of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from Baylor University and Master of Arts and doctoral degrees from Fielding Graduate University. Sonia Garcia, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, is Chair of the Political Science Department at St. Mary's University. She has published articles on Latina politics and is a co-author of MEXICAN AMERICANS & THE LAW: EL PUEBLO UNIDO JAMÁS SERÁ VENCIDO (2004). Sonia also is the lead author of POLITICAS: LATINA PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN TEXAS (2007), which examines the first Mexican-American women elected to public office in Texas from various levels of offices. Ted Lewis, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin, is Vice President of Academic Affairs at Pellissippi State Community College. He has taught government and political science at the college level for nearly 30 years. He was previously dean of instruction at Loan Star College-Cyfair and Professor, Chair of the Political Science Department, and Director of the Learning Communities Program at Collin County Community College. Dr. Lewis has conducted workshops on Texas election procedure for the Texas Secretary of State and has served as a county party chairperson, on state political party executive committees, and on several statewide candidate campaign advisory committees. He has delivered numerous national presentations and has published articles in such journals as the Community College Journal of Research and Practice, the Journal of the League for Innovation in the Community College, and the National Social Science Journal. He is listed in both WHO'S WHO IN AMERICAN POLITICS and WHO'S WHO AMONG AMERICA'S TEACHERS. Robert E. Biles, Ph.D., professor emeritus and former chair of political science at Sam Houston State University, has taught college students about Texas politics in Texas, Colombia and Ecuador. The author of numerous books and articles, he has been involved in politics at multiple levels, including service as a school board member, county party chair, county election supervisor and staff member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also has advised state agencies and held leadership positions in statewide lobbying groups and professional organizations. Dr. Biles has received four Fulbright grants and also awards for his research, teaching and administrative service. He received his Master of Arts and his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Review :
"I am very impressed with the changes to this textbook. It is more engaging and offers a large variety of features to enhance the classroom experience. All of the updates to design and features improve the quality of the textbook and can improve the quality of the pedagogy and student learning." "I find this textbook to be an excellent choice for my students. My students come to me usually lacking in study skills. The learning objectives, key terms, and learning checks provide me with an effective way to focus their reading."