About the Author:
James M. Scott is Herman Brown Chair and Professor of Political Science at Texas Christian University. His areas of specialization include foreign policy analysis and international relations, with particular emphasis on U.S. foreign policymaking and the domestic sources of foreign policy. He is author or editor of seven books (including this one), and over 60 articles, book chapters, review essays, and other publications. He has been conference organizer and president of both the Foreign Policy Analysis section of the International Studies Association, and the Midwest region of the International Studies Association. He has also been a two-time winner of the Klingberg Award for Outstanding Faculty Paper at the ISA Midwest Annual Meeting. Since 1996 he has received over two dozen awards from students and peers for his outstanding teaching and research, including his institution's highest awards for scholarship (2000 and 2001), teaching (2002) and research mentoring (2002). He directed the Democracy Interdependence and World Politics Summer Research Program, a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, from 2005-2014, and he is currently an associate editor of FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS. In 2012, he received the Quincy Wright Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Studies Association - Midwest for outstanding scholarship and service.
Review:
"The writing style is the best I've come across--very engaging and easy to read. I think the students will like this book. . . . It is becoming clear to me that the writing style is going to be one of the most important reasons why I might adopt this book. It's truly engaging in bringing in examples, flowing nicely, and in almost having a conversation with the students."
"I would argue that the level of detail this new text presents is superior. It effectively addresses the major theories of international relations in [an] approachable way. Student understanding of international relations will benefit from the depth and explanatory detail included in this text."
"I know these authors, and I know that they're solid scholars and very student-oriented teachers. Thus, I'm interested in viewing their product. I've reviewed several IR texts over the last few years, and none has given me enough to change how I currently teach the course. If these guys live up to their potential, I expect them to produce a superior product than that which is currently on the market."
"[IR's] major advantage is its emphasis on current events and anecdotes that will help the students 'get' the concepts. . . . If it will save the students money and facilitate their learning and discussion, it is the best book available on the market. . . . This book has all of the information a good international relations text should contain. It clearly describes the paradigms and nuances of both realism and liberalism, and their modern-day rivals Marxism, constructivism, and Feminism. All of these concepts are clearly identified in a well-written, conversational manner, using frequent current event examples to engage students. It is also fairly concise and inexpensive, contains numerous resources both for the instructor and for students, and is not overly verbose. . . . I have been hard-pressed to find a comprehensive book for the course that offers students a glimpse into the different ways of looking at world events, and this is likely it."
"I think the clarity of writing style and coverage of crucial content are what differentiate this book from others on the market. This is one of the better titles I have looked at for a freshman-sophomore audience. The coverage of theory is comprehensive and clearly written but grounded in examples that speak to students' knowledge and interests. The introduction and theory chapters set this apart from the Rourke text I currently use."
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.