United Stated - Public Administration -- Local Government

This book was written for students who come to the study of American government unaccustomed to thinking critically and analytically about politics. It was written for Advanced Placement and college instructors who want their students to grasp American politics in greater depth and with more practical applications than stdandard survey textbooks provide. The students and teachers consider a few elements that underpin the critical thinking approach to the study of American politics incorporated in this text. The first, discipline-based critical thinking. Many colleges and universities require students to take a class in critical thinking as one of their degree requirements. Second, integration of critical thinking into the introductory American politics course. The critical thinking exercises in this text are grouped in chapters that match those in most standard survey texts. Third, regular assignment of critical thinking exercise. It allows students to practice analytical inquiry within political science on a regular basis, thereby deepening their knowledge and understanding of the discipline and course material. Fourth, actively engaging the subject. It is often constrained by its reliance on the instructor's description and analysis of the subject matter.