Why Politics Matters: An Introduction to Political Science (with CourseReader 0-60: Introduction to Political Science Printed Access Card) (New 1st Editions in Political Science)

WHY POLITICS MATTERS: AN INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE is a full-color, accessible introduction to Political Science. Organized evenly around the major divisions within Political Science: Theory, American Government, Comparative Politics, and International Relations, WHY POLITICS MATTERS follows a foundational approach to learning and gives students a "big picture" of the field. The authors approach the subject through a theme of theory and practice and emphasize why politics matters to the reader through current, global examples, encouraging critical thinking, discussion, and participation throughout the text. WHY POLITICS MATTERS is the first and only Introduction to Political Science book offering a fully integrated and customizable online reader, COURSEREADER, with a full slate of recommended primary source readings compiled by the authors. Each COURSEREADER selection is called-out in the text alongside the relevant discussion and is accompanied by critical thinking questions to help students apply the reading to their chapter lesson. You can further customize COURSEREADER for your class by choosing from the thousands of documents and videos within our Introduction to Political Science set and even adding your own notes and highlights before publishing your unique online reader for students to access.

Kevin L. Dooley is Dean of the Honors School and Associate Professor of Political Science at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. He received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2004. Since joining the faculty at Monmouth University in 2003, Dr. Dooley has taught courses in Comparative Politics, Ethics in International Relations, American Foreign Policy, and Early and Modern Political Theory. His primary research interests include globalization, nationalism, and terrorism. He has published numerous articles and one book on the topic entitled POLITICS STILL MATTERS: GLOBALIZATION, GOVERNANCE, AND THE REVIVAL OF REGIONAL MINORITIES (2008). He lives in Brick, New Jersey with his wife Lauren, and their two children, Jack and Megan.

Joseph N. Patten is the Chair of the Department of Political Science and Sociology at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. He came to Monmouth University in 2002 after serving as an Associate Professor of Political Science at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, where he received the Faculty Member of the Year Award in 2002 and 1998. Since earning his Ph.D. in Political Science from West Virginia University in 1996, he has taught courses in American Government, American Congress, American Presidency, Ancient and Modern Political Theory, Civil Liberties, Policy Analysis, among other courses, at both the undergraduate and graduate level. In 2009 he received the Distinguished Teaching Award at Monmouth University. Dr. Patten also serves as the adviser to Monmouth University's Policy Debate Team. His primary research interests include the United States Congress and American Politics, and he has published articles in these areas.