Cengage Learning Understanding American Government (Book Only)

Product Description UNDERSTANDING AMERICAN GOVERNMENT is highly respected and trusted for its attention to research and issues of diversity, as well as for its award-winning team of authors. While covering the foundations of American government, this text also moves beyond the nuts and bolts to explain why and how important aspects of government have evolved, their impact on government and individuals, and why they may be controversial, inspire debate, and worth learning. More than just narrating facts and current issues, UNDERSTANDING AMERICAN GOVERNMENT leaves students with an understanding of the why , so their knowledge can be applied long after the course is completed. UNDERSTANDING AMERICAN GOVERNMENT is a three-time winner of the American Government Textbook Award for the Best Treatment of Women in Politics, by the Women s Caucus for Political Science. Review I think that the Welch text has been successful in accomplishing the goals of stimulating and promoting critical thinking among students and other users, increasing awareness on diversity issues, and in helping students to gain a better grasp of the foundation and basic features of American government. The book does a great job articulating a vision of America as multicultural and diverse. It does a superb job in terms of laying the framework for American governance in clear terms but ones that do not sacrifice the complexities of the founding. It doesn t overwhelm students with jargon and does a decent job relating government to students it is highly successful in conveying the raison detre for government and governance in America and the national level. About the Author Susan Welch received her AB and PhD degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Professor of Political Science at The Pennsylvania State University. Her teaching and research areas include legislatures, urban politics, and women and minorities in politics. She publishes widely on issues of race, gender, and urban politics. John Gruhl, Professor of Political Science, received his AB from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and his PhD from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Since joining the University of Nebraska faculty in 1976, he has taught and done research in the areas of judicial process, criminal justice, and civil rights and liberties. He holds campus- and university-wide distinguished teaching awards for excellence in undergraduate teaching and became a charter member of the university s Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Sue Thomas is Senior Research Scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) and Director of PIRE-Santa Cruz. Prior to joining PIRE, she served as Associate Professor of Government and Director of Women s Studies at Georgetown University. She received her A.B. and M.Ed. from UCLA, and her Ph.D. from University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Her research specialty is women and politics, and among her publications are How Women Legislate and Women and Elective Office: Past, Present, and Future. MaryAnne Borrelli, Professor of Government at Connecticut College, received her BA from Wellesley College and her MA and PhD from Harvard University. Her teaching focuses on national institutions and on public policy in the United States, and she has earned awards for teaching excellence from the faculty and the Student Government Association. Professor Borrelli s research centers on the workings of gender in the presidency; she has authored books and articles on the first ladyship and on cabinet appointments in the modern presidency.