American Government: Stories of a Nation, Brief Edition

by Scott F. Abernathy

Overview

American government is not just one story—it′s many stories. Our stories. And they are still being told.

In American Government: Stories of a Nation, Brief Third Edition, author Scott Abernathy tunes in to the voices of America′s people, showing how diverse ideas throughout our nation′s history have shaped our political institutions, our identities, the way we participate and behave, the laws we live by, and the challenges we face. His storytelling approach brings the core concepts of government to life, making them meaningful and memorable, and allows all students to see themselves reflected in the pages.

Carefully condensed from the full version by Scott Abernathy, American Government, Brief Third Edition, gives your students all the information they need—and the stories they relate to—in a more concise, value-oriented package.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781071878361
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	12/13/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	632
Sales rank:	243,334
File size:	36 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Scott F. Abernathy is a University Distinguished Teaching Professor and an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Minnesota. He is also the author of two books on education policy - School Choice and the Future of American Democracy and No Child Left Behind and the Public Schools - both from University of Michigan Press. At the undergraduate level, Scott has taught Introduction to American Government, Education Policy, and Religion and American Politics courses and has won numerous teaching awards. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Minnesota, Scott worked as a 4th and 7th grade public school teacher in Wisconsin and as an on-street counselor for young adults experiencing homelessness in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Table of Contents

Part I: Foundations
Chapter 1. American Political Stories: Claiming Rights, Demanding to Be Heard
Chapter 2. The Constitution of the United States: A New Vision of Representative Government
Chapter 3. Federalism: The Changing Boundaries between the Nation and the States
Chapter 4. Civil Liberties: Building and Defending Fences
Chapter 5. Civil Rights: How Equal is Equal?
Part II: Political Behavior and Mass Politics
Chapter 6. Public Opinion: How Are Americans’ Voices Measured, and Do They Matter?
Chapter 7. The Media: Truth, Trust, and Power
Chapter 8. Parties, Elections, and Participation: Making Representative Democracy Happen
Chapter 9. Interest Groups and Social Movements: Collective Action, Power, and Representation
Part III: Institutions
Chapter 10. Congress: Representation, Organization, and Legislation
Chapter 11. The American Presidency: Individuals, Institutions, and Power
Chapter 12. The Federal Bureaucracy: Putting The Nation’s Laws Into Effect
Chapter 13. The Federal Judiciary: Politics, Power, And The “Least Dangerous” Branch
Part IV: Policy
Chapter 14. Public Policy: Promoting The General Welfare and Advancing Americans’ Interests
Appendices
Glossary
Notes
Index

Editorial Reviews

One of my goals in teaching American Government is to shrink the distance my students feel between themselves and their government. American Government: Stories of a Nation is the best textbook I have found to help me do this. Each chapter contains just the right balance of historical and contemporary narrative to show students that they are part of a story that has been unfolding for more than two-hundred years. Abernathy is a storyteller, but he is also a political scientist, and I appreciate his commitment to tell the American story with solid research from the field.”

Jonathan Peterson

The careful, deliberate, and inclusive approach of American Government: Stories of a Nation does more than any other text to ensure that all students see themselves as part of the narrative of American government and political culture. As a result, all of my students are more engaged with the material and in class discussion.”

Andrew Civettini

The Brief edition of American Government: Stories of a Nation outlines the crucial areas and helps guide students along to what they should know… I am confident this approach is what students are looking for.”

Frank Fuller

Abernathy’s text distinguishes itself through the combination of historical references and contemporary examples.”

James Ronan

One of the most readable texts I’ve read; good for non-majors who aren’t interested in tons of theory, but don’t want to be talked down to.”

William Housel

Well written and timely… The stories feel natural, not strained or forced.”

Thomas Baldino