This text uses the cultural appeal of “lists” and “rank orders” as a pedagogical tool applied to American government. Each chapter presents a list of the top things a student should know about that topic, and then carefully and accessibly explores each of the items in the list. The lists contained in the text are used to teach introductory students what many scholars agree are the key, core aspects of American government.

There is something people seem to find irresistible about lists and rank orders. There is also something almost unseemly or dangerous about them. This text uses both of these factors—the appeal and problems of “lists” and “rank orders”—as a pedagogical tool. The reader is asked to approach the lists critically and to think about what they might add to the list, what they might remove from the list, what they find problematic about the rank order, and so forth. Consequently, the lists serve to draw the students into the topic, to help them learn more about American government, and to use their critical thinking skills to critique the content and order of the lists.

In a typical semester, it is nearly impossible to teach someone everything they can and should know about a topic as broad as American government and politics. Therefore, the two primary goals of this text are to (a) give introductory students the basic tools necessary to understand American government and politics in a format that is appealing and (b) in so doing giving them the background necessary to put current events and enduring questions into context.

About the Author

Jeanne Zaino is an Associate Professor within Iona College's Department of Political Science & International Studies. Her work has been published in journals as varied as: Campaigns and Elections, Journal of Politics, Journal of Political Science Education, Dispute Resolution Journal, Journal of Pastoral Counseling, and theChronicles of Higher Education. She is the author of Adventures in Social Research: Data Analysis Using SPSS (Pine Forge/Sage) with sociologists Earl Babbie and Fred Halley. Jeanne has participated on several radio programs, including NPR’s Marketplace, WHUD, and WCHE, Pennsylvania. And she is a frequent guest on local and national television with recent appearances on WCBS, News12, Fox 5, RNN, WNBC, Good Day New York, Good Day Street Talk, and Strategy Room. She has also been a weekly guest with a recurring spot on Bob Marrone's "Good Morning Westchester" (WVOX) for several years.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

ThriftBooks is a fully independent seller of used books, having sold more than 160 million used and new books since we started in 2003. Each quality used book is sorted, graded, shelved and shipped by hand by our team of dedicated employees in our seven warehouses across the US. We have the best selection of books, in the right condition and format, at everyday low prices. We also have a dedicated, US-based Customer Service team, ranked in the top three by Newsweek for Best Customer Service in 2018 and 2019, so you can shop with confidence. We support and invest in our employees, appreciate and value our customers, and truly believe in the power of the written word to educate, energize, and engage readers of all ages and interests.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Thrift Books Global LLC
18300 Cascade Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98188, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

We guarantee each book that we send you. If you have any problems, please contact
our dedicated customer service department. They will do everything possible to
ensure you are happy with your order.

Shipping Terms

All domestic Standard and Expedited shipments are distributed from our warehouses by OSM, then handed off to the USPS for final delivery.

2-Day Shipping is delivered by FedEx, which does not deliver to PO boxes.

International shipments are tendered to the local postal service in the destination country for final delivery – we do not use courier services for international deliveries.