Instructor’s Resource Manual to accompany
O’Connor Sabato Yanus Gibson Gibson Jr. Robison
American Government: Roots and Reform, 2011 Texas Edition
Prepared by Laura Wood Tarrant County College
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Table of Contents Chapter 1: The Political Landscape Chapter 2: The Constitution Chapter 3: Federalism Chapter 4: State and Local Government Chapter 5: Civil Liberties Chapter 6: Civil Rights Chapter 7: Congress Chapter 8: The Presidency Chapter 9: The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy Chapter 10: The Judiciary Chapter 11: Public Opinion and Political Socialization Chapter 12: Political Parties Chapter 13: Elections and Voting Chapter 14: The Campaign Process Chapter 15: The News Media Chapter 16: Interest Groups Chapter 17: Domestic Policy Chapter 18: Economic Policy Chapter 19: Foreign and Defense Policy Chapter 20: The Context for Texas Politics and Government Chapter 21: The Texas Constitution
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Chapter 22: Local Government and Politics in Texas Chapter 23: The Texas Legislature Chapter 24: The Governor and Bureaucracy in Texas Chapter 25: The Texas Judiciary Chapter 26: Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections, and Campaigns in Texas Chapter 27: Contemporary Public Policy Issues in Texas
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Integrated Guide to the Text’s Resources (Instructor’s Resource Manual)
Chapter 1 – The Political Landscape Table of Contents I. Chapter Overview A. Learning Objectives B. Chapter Summary II. Student Assignments – Pre-Lecture III. Lecture Resources A. Lecture Slides B. Additional Lecture Suggestions IV. Student Assignments – Post-Lecture A. Class Discussion Questions B. Class Activities C. Research Assignments V. Quantitative Assessment VI. Resources for Further Study A. Books B. Articles C. Media D. Web Resources
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I. Chapter Overview A.
Learning Objectives
1.1 Trace the origins of American government 1.2 Show how European political thought provided the theoretical foundations of American government 1.3 Describe American political culture, and identify the basic tenets of American democracy 1.4 Explain the functions of American government 1.5 Analyze the changing characteristics of the American public 1.6 Assess the role of political ideology in shaping American politics 1.7 Characterize changes in Americans’ attitudes toward and expectations of government Return to Chapter 1: Table of Contents B.
Chapter Summary
The Preamble to the Constitution is a statement of principles and goals that the Founders thought Americans should live by and live up to…whether we have done so, and how we might better achieve these goals, are some of the things that I hope you keep in mind as we progress through this course on American government. In the early days of the American republic, the only people allowed to participate in “democracy” were white, land-owning men over the age of 25 (the actual voting age depended upon the state in which they lived). Therefore, the term “We the People” has changed significantly in meaning since 1787. “People” now includes virtually the entire adult population regardless of race, gender, religion, or other socioeconomic indicators. The only acceptable limits are on felons and people currently suffering from severe mental illness. This is an example of how our government and society have evolved and continue to evolve to “form a more perfect union.” In order for us to understand where the country is going, we must first look at where we have been.
Roots of American Government: We the People The Earliest Inhabitants Prior to the arrival of European settlers and explorers, North America was inhabited by millions of native peoples who themselves had emigrated as early as 30,000 years ago from modern area of Russia. They were very diverse in culture, language and religion. The First Colonists Early European and English colonists came for a variety of reasons but primarily to seek their fortunes. English, French, Dutch and Spanish settled in what is today the U.S. The rich diversity of peoples began a history of cultural intermixing. Religious Tradition Takes Root: The religious Reformation in Europe began with individuals such as John Calvin and Martin Luther questioning the views and authority of the Catholic Church and led to a splintering of Christianity. The Protestant Reformation was based .
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