TX.GOV (with CourseMate Printed Access Card) (New, Engaging Titles from 4LTR Press) - Softcover

Maxwell, William Earl; Crain, Ernest; Santos, Adolfo

9781133964414: TX.GOV (with CourseMate Printed Access Card) (New, Engaging Titles from 4LTR Press)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1133964419 ISBN 13: 9781133964414

Publisher: Cengage Learning, 2013

Created by the continuous feedback of a "student-tested, faculty-approved" process, TX.GOV delivers a visually appealing, succinct print component, tear-out review cards, and a consistent online offering with CourseMate that includes an eBook in addition to a set of interactive digital tools, all at a value-based price and proven to increase retention and outcomes. TX.GOV employs a motivating debate theme and focuses on the current and historical conflicts and controversies that define Texas politics.

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About the Author:

William Earl Maxwell is a professor emeritus at San Antonio College, where he has taught courses in U.S. and Texas government since 1971. Throughout his career Maxwell has focused on innovative teaching techniques and improving the teaching and learning environments for students. As part of that effort, in 1975 Maxwell co-authored UNDERSTANDING TEXAS POLITICS, his first text on Texas government. He also co-authored such texts as POLITICS IN TEXAS and THE CHALLENGE OF TEXAS POLITICS: TEXT WITH READINGS. He completed his undergraduate and graduate work at Sam Houston State University.

Ernest Crain did his graduate work at the University of Texas at Austin, spent 35 years teaching Texas government at San Antonio College and now lives in Montgomery County, Texas. He has co-authored UNDERSTANDING TEXAS POLITICS, POLITICS IN TEXAS: AN INTRODUCTION TO TEXAS POLITICS, THE CHALLENGE OF TEXAS POLITICS: TEXT WITH READINGS and AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: TEXAS EDITION. His special areas of interest include party competition, comparative state politics and Texas public policy.

Adolfo Santos is the chair of the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Houston-Downtown and Associate Professor of Political Science. Dr. Santos received a Ph.D. from the University of Houston in 1998. He is the author of DO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REWARD THEIR FUTURE EMPLOYERS?: EVALUATING THE REVOLVING DOOR SYNDROME. He also writes about Hispanic representation in the U.S. Congress and the Texas legislature.

Review:

"I think the debate style approach offers the starting point that many classes are missing for the students to engage with both the instructor and their fellow classmates."

"I am very excited about the list of special features! It seems like this textbook is grounded in a thought-out pedagogical approach, with a special emphasis on fostering student-teacher interaction and critical discussion. I very much like the idea of opening each chapter with a debate because this will get students' attention as they will seek to assert their own position. Motivating students to pay attention and care about the material is one of the hardest tasks in teaching government courses. Introducing controversial issues and different sides of the debate is a good way to draw students into discussion, have them read, formulate questions, etc. I also very much like the special feature on Critical Thinking. It encourages students to both review the material and major concepts, as well as to think about them critically. The latter leaves room for students to provide their input so they do not feel separated or alienated from the subject they study. In democratic spirit, this lets them know that their opinion matters. Texas political and social media is another fascinating feature of this textbook. In the age of technology and information students are more likely to take interest in the subject when they can utilize internet resources. In addition, it provides students with a sense of democratic citizenship because it shows them channels for expressing their views and hearing other people's ideas on relevant issues. Take Action feature serves a similar purpose and it is such a pleasure to see it included into the textbook. It provides students with starting resources to get involved without leaving their room or computer screen. Chapter quizzes provided in the end are surely a great way to give students an opportunity to self-test and it will be greatly appreciated by both students and instructors."

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