Professor Advising Handout

This course is an introduction to politics and government in the United States. The course includes the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States, emphasizing the constitutions of the State of Texas and the United States, federalism and intergovernmental relations, local government, and the political process.

Government 2302, American Government II

Government 2302 examines the institutional structures of government at both national and state levels, including the legislative process, executive and bureaucratic structures, and judicial process. The course also explores civil rights and civil liberties, domestic policy, foreign relations, and national defense.

We the People StudySpace

StudySpace is a website provided by W.W. Norton & Co., the publisher of the textbook. This resource is free for all students to use, and you never have to register for it. It includes chapter outlines, practice quizzes, and online flashcards to help you study.

If you are taking a face-to-face class with me (2301 or 2302), the following textbook is optional. If you are someone who regularly finds that you need a textbook to study, then please, get the book. If you are someone who does not use a textbook to study, then you don't need to purchase it:

Benjamin Ginsberg, Theodore J. Lowi, Margaret Weir, We the People: An Introduction to American Politics, 8^th Texas Edition, W. W. Norton & Co., ISBN: 978-0-393-14957-9

Note that the ISBN given above is for the paperback edition. There are also loose leaf (978-0-393-14958-6), hardcover (978-0-393-93525-7), downloadable ebook (978-0-393-11972-5), and online ebook (978-0-393-11971-8) editions of the book that you can purchase instead if you prefer. There is also a copy of the book on reserve in the Central Park Campus library. This is the publisher’s website with all of the options listed, just make sure you get the 8^th Texas Edition.

If you are taking an online class with me (2301 or 2302), the following textbooks are both required. Why the difference? In an online class, you don't get the benefit of being in class to take notes from a lecture, so you will need the textbooks:

Benjamin Ginsberg, Theodore J. Lowi, Margaret Weir, We the People: An Introduction to American Politics, 8^th Texas Edition, W. W. Norton & Co., ISBN: 978-0-393-14957-9

AND

David T. Canon, John J. Coleman, and Kenneth R. Mayer, Faultlines: Debating the Issues in American Politics, 3^rd Edition, W. W. Norton & Co., ISBN: 978-0-393-91206-7

Note that the ISBN given above is for the paperback edition. There are also loose leaf (978-0-393-14958-6), hardcover (978-0-393-93525-7), downloadable ebook (978-0-393-11972-5), and online ebook (978-0-393-11971-8) editions of the book that you can purchase instead if you prefer. There is also a copy of the book on reserve in the Central Park Campus library. This is the publisher’s website with all of the options listed, just make sure you get the 8^th Texas Edition. If you choose to purchase both the Ginsberg and Canon books together in the package format from the campus bookstore, the ISBN will be 978-0-393-14444-4. There are many options to find a fit for everyone’s budget and personal preferences.