American Government 3e - Lecture Notes

Introduction

• American Government 3e: A comprehensive guide to American governmental structures, processes, and principles.
• Senior Contributing Authors: Glen Krutz, Oklahoma State University; OpenStax initiative.
• License: Textbook content is under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
• Educational Initiative: Aimed at improving accessibility to educational resources.

OpenStax Information

• Rice University: OpenStax is a nonprofit educational initiative based at Rice University.
• Mission: To transform learning and provide accessible educational resources.
• Philanthropic Support: Includes support from various foundations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, and others.

Structure of the Textbook

• Preface & Units: The book is organized into five main units:
  1. Students and the System
  2. Individual Agency and Action
  3. Toward Collective Action: Mediating Institutions
  4. Delivering Collective Action: Formal Institutions
  5. The Outputs of Government

Key Chapters and Themes

Unit 1: Students and the System

• Chapter 1: American Government and Civic Engagement
  • Definition of government and its role in democracy.
  • Discussion on civic engagement and democratic processes.
• Chapter 2: The Constitution and Its Origins
  • Historical background, Articles of Confederation, Constitution development, and ratification.

Unit 2: Individual Agency and Action

• Chapter 4: Civil Liberties
  • Exploration of civil liberties and their protection under the Constitution.
• Chapter 5: Civil Rights
  • Examination of civil rights, historical struggles, and legislative progress.

Unit 3: Toward Collective Action: Mediating Institutions

• Chapter 8: The Media
  • Role and evolution of media in American politics.
• Chapter 9: Political Parties
  • Discussion on the formation, evolution, and influence of political parties.

Unit 4: Delivering Collective Action: Formal Institutions

• Chapter 11: Congress
  • Institutional design, electoral processes, and legislative functions.
• Chapter 12: The Presidency
  • Role, powers, and evolution of the presidency.

Unit 5: The Outputs of Government

• Chapter 15: The Bureaucracy
  • Examination of bureaucratic structures and public administration.
• Chapter 16: Domestic Policy
  • Analysis of public policy, budgeting, and tax policy.

Additional Resources

• Instructor and Student Resources: Includes guides, slides, and community hubs for collaborative learning.
• Technology Partners: Integration of low-cost tools with OpenStax books for enhanced learning experiences.

Key Features of the Textbook

• Learning Objectives: Clear objectives outlined at the beginning of each module.
• Summaries and Key Terms: Concise summaries and definitions provided for quick review.
• Critical Thinking Questions: Encourage deeper reflection and understanding of chapter concepts.

Study Tips

• Focus on the key themes and learning objectives at the start of each chapter.
• Utilize summaries and key term sections for quick revisions.
• Engage with critical thinking questions to apply learnings to real-world scenarios.
• Explore additional resources and community hubs for broader educational engagement.