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See Most Recent Edition

Gateways to Democracy: An Introduction to American Government, Enhanced, 5th Edition

John G. Geer, Richard Herrera, Wendy J. Schiller, Jeffrey A. Segal

  • Copyright 2024
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2023-01-01T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $79.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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Gateways to Democracy: An Introduction to American Government, Enhanced 5th Edition by John G. Geer/Richard Herrera/Wendy J. Schiller/Jeffrey A. Segal
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Overview

Perfect for Political Science majors and non-majors alike, Geer/Herrera/Schiller/Segal's GATEWAYS TO DEMOCRACY: AN INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, ENHANCED 5th edition introduces students to the U.S. political system through the "gateways" framework. The authors use contemporary examples of groups and movements (#MeToo, Black Lives Matter, women, the Latino population, and the LGBTQ population) that have overcome obstacles, or gates, to influence government and public policy, while also inspiring students to participate in government by highlighting the open gateways that are ready and waiting for their involvement.

A strong theoretical focus illuminates the political theories that underpin the policies and processes of all levels of American government. An increased focus on improving students' data analysis skills appears in the chapter openers. Each chapter opener asks students to analyze and discuss data relevant to the chapter topic. The authors balance theory and data analysis with an updated narrative featuring expansive discussions on election politics and their aftermath, including former President Trump's continuing influence on the Republican Party, the election and first half of Joe Biden's Presidency, and the 2022 midterm election. This edition's focus on diversity shows how the changing demographics of American society influences the political system. The authors tackle important issues like the reconfigured Supreme Court with Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson, gun control , and the abortion debate. With these examples in mind, students will learn how to open the "gates" in their lives and become informed voters who are active in their local, state, and national governments. Also available: MindTap and Cengage Infuse.

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Meet the Authors

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John G. Geer

John G. Geer is the Ginny and Conner Searcy Dean of the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University, a professor of political science and co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll. He teaches Introduction to American Politics, as well as specialty courses on elections and campaigns, and has been honored with numerous teaching awards at both Arizona State University and Vanderbilt University. In addition, he has been a visiting scholar at Harvard University and Princeton University. Dr. Geer has published widely, including IN DEFENSE OF NEGATIVITY, which won the Goldsmith Prize from the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University. A frequent commentator in the press, he has made appearances on all the major networks (Fox News, CBS Evening News, CNN) and has been quoted in THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE WASHINGTON POST and the LOS ANGELES TIMES. He also has done interviews for major international outlets, such as BBC and Al Jazeera. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Richard Herrera

Richard Herrera is Professor Emeritus of Political Science in the School of Politics and Global Studies at Arizona State University, where he taught for 30 years, including courses in American politics, American political parties and American politics and film. He also directed the ASU Capital Scholars Washington, D.C., Summer Internship program and received the Faculty Teaching Achievement Award at ASU in 2020. Dr. Herrera has contributed articles to the AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE REVIEW, JOURNAL OF POLITICS, LEGISLATIVE STUDIES QUARTERLY and STATE POLITICS AND POLICY QUARTERLY. Currently, his research interests are focused on U.S. governors, their ideology, policy agendas and representative functions. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Wendy J. Schiller

Wendy Schiller is the Royce Family Professor of Teaching Excellence in Political Science and professor of public and international affairs at Brown University, where she teaches courses on a wide range of American politics topics, including Introduction to the American Political Process, The American Presidency, Congress and Public Policy, Parties and Interest Groups, and The Philosophy of the American Founding. She also is a political analyst for local and national media outlets. Dr. Schiller's published works include ELECTING THE SENATE: INDIRECT DEMOCRACY BEFORE THE SEVENTEENTH AMENDMENT with Charles Stewart III, THE CONTEMPORARY CONGRESS with Burdett Loomis and PARTNERS AND RIVALS: REPRESENTATION IN U.S. SENATE DELEGATIONS. In her prior roles, she was legislative assistant for Sen. Daniel P. Moynihan, a federal lobbyist for Gov. Mario M. Cuomo, a guest scholar and Ph.D. fellow at the Brookings Institution and a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. She can be found on Twitter at profwschiller.

Jeffrey A. Segal

Jeffrey A. Segal is SUNY Distinguished Professor and chair of the political science department at Stony Brook University. He has served as Senior Visiting Research Scholar at Princeton University and held a Guggenheim Fellowship. Dr. Segal is best known, with Harold Spaeth, as the leading proponent of the attitudinal model of Supreme Court decision-making. Dr. Segal twice won the Wadsworth Award for a book (with Spaeth) or article 10 years or older with lasting influence on law and courts. He also won the C. Herman Pritchett Award (again with Spaeth) for best book on law and courts. His work on the influence of strategic factors on Supreme Court decision-making won the Franklin Burdette Award from APSA. With Lee Epstein, Kevin Quinn and Andrew Martin, he won Green Bag's award for exemplary legal writing. In addition, he won a national award sponsored by the American Bar Association for innovative teaching and instructional methods and materials in law and courts. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

What's New

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  • Includes the most up-to-date data and literature available, giving students the latest insights into the U.S. political system. Updates include expansive discussions on election politics and their aftermath, including former President Trump's continuing influence on the Republican Party, the election and first half of Joe Biden's Presidency, and the 2022 midterm elections.
  • Each chapter opening spread now focuses on a unique insight into a piece of political science data, from maps to public opinion polls to employment statistics, helping students sharpen their data analysis skills.

Features

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  • The authors' emphasis on gates and gateways gives students a thorough understanding of the opportunities and challenges of American democracy. With these examples in mind, students will learn how to open the "gates" in their lives and become informed voters who are active in their local, state, and national governments.
  • A focus on Inclusivity and Diversity highlights important contributions of individuals and groups to public policy.
  • Expansive policy coverage includes a section in every chapter as well as a full stand-alone chapter, enabling instructors to focus on policy as much or as little as they want. Each chapter highlights a domestic, economic or foreign policy issue related to key chapter concepts. Hands-on "Construct Your Own Policy" exercises ask students how they can apply what they've learned to impact policymaking.
  • Each chapter spotlights a Supreme Court case that illustrates the constitutional and legal context in which American democracy has evolved. Critical-thinking questions at the end of the feature tie the case back to the chapter's content and the book's themes of gateways, responsiveness and equality. In addition, the authors tackle important issues like the reconfigured Supreme Court.
  • Questions in the margins and interpretive questions at the end of each chapter ask students to summarize and apply what they have learned about American democracy and evaluate our democratic system in terms of responsiveness and equality. These features sharpen students' analytical skills and encourage them to begin evaluating the success of the U.S. system.
  • Drawing from current headlines, this edition delivers in-depth coverage of issues such as COVID-19, Black Lives Matter and the use of force by police, employment discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community, the abortion debate, gun control, and the impact of partisanship on Congress.
  • MindTap for GATEWAYS TO DEMOCRACY, Enhanced 5th Edition, is an immersive, outcomes-driven online learning experience. In addition to a dynamic eBook that brings the printed text to life, a variety of assignable, auto-graded activities enable students to flex their critical thinking muscles while soaking in key concepts. Learners are encouraged to read with close attention, write persuasively with logic, interpret data, consider and articulate their own positions on key course topics and more. Integration with your learning management system allows you to easily export grades and access analytics.

Table of Contents

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Introduction.
1. Gateways to American Democracy.
Part I: BUILDING A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.
2. The Constitution.
3. Federalism.
4. Civil Liberties.
5. Civil Rights.
Part II: CITIZEN GATEWAYS TO DEMOCRACY.
6. Public Opinion.
7. The News and Social Media.
8. Interest Groups.
9. Political Parties.
10. Elections and Campaigns.
11. Voting and Participation.
Part III: THE INSTITUTIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT.
12. Congress.
13. The Presidency.
14. The Bureaucracy.
15. The Judiciary.
CONCLUSION.
16. Economic, Domestic, and Foreign Policy.
Appendix.
A. The Declaration of Independence.
B. The Constitution of the United States.
C. Federalist Papers 10 and 51.
D. Electoral Maps, 2000-2020.

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This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

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  • ISBN-10: 0357794958
  • ISBN-13: 9780357794951
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  • ISBN-10: 0357795016
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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

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ISBN: 9780357794951
Today's leading digital platform, MindTap for Geer/Herrera/Schiller/Segal Gateways to Democracy: An Introduction to American Government Enhanced, 5th Edition, gives you complete control of your course -- equipping you to craft unique learning experiences that challenge students, build confidence and elevate performance. A streamlined learning path and redesigned assessments minimize reader distraction, while dual-pane assignments for students pair readings side-by-side with assessments. MindTap presents complex concepts using a blend of engaging narrative and media assets clearly linked to assessments. So, students can start applying concepts to real-world situations from the beginning of your course with content that progresses from understanding core concepts to critical thinking and, ultimately, application. A distinctive, personalized study plan, based on individual performance, helps students stay focused and enables them to easily pinpoint areas for further study and practice. Exclusive Instructor Tools allow you to customize course content to your needs and tailor assessments to match the specific language and style of your course. New Instructor Reports provide actionable insights into student performance and present opportunities for just-in-time intervention. Use MindTap for Geer/Herrera/Schiller/Segal Gateways to Democracy: An Introduction to American Government Enhanced, 5th Edition, as-is or customize it to meet your specific needs. You can even integrate it easily into your LMS.