You Decide!: Controversial Cases in American Politics / Edition 2

by Edward Drachman, Robert Langran

Overview

The second edition of You Decide! Controversial Cases in American Politics provides a unique and innovative way to learn more about American government by examining contending points of view on controversial issues. Drawing on many years of combined teaching experience, Edward Drachman and Robert Langran present fourteen original cases and encourage students to make choices from policy options that might help resolve the case controversies. To facilitate the reading of the cases, the authors developed a format that provides the necessary background information on each issue, a list of options to address the controversy under consideration, and the probable future direction of each case controversy. Each case also includes discussion questions that focus on highlights of the case, classroom activities designed to complement more traditional learning, and a list of suggested readings and websites. On a range of topical, hot-button cases—from organized school prayer and affirmative action, to the electoral college and the tension between Congress and the president over war-time powers—students have the opportunity to become directly involved in discussing, debating, and evaluating controversial issues. With this help of this classroom-proven text, you decide!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742538054
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/10/2007
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	7.06(w) x 10.08(h) x 0.61(d)

About the Author

Edward Drachman is professor of political science and international relations at the State University of New York at Geneseo. He has received awards as a teacher and student advisor and has authored several books and articles on political affairs. He resides in Geneseo, New York. Robert Langran is professor of political science at Villanova University and has been the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching and Faculty Service awards. He has authored three previous books and numerous articles. He resides in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Constitution: Is Original Intent the Proper Model for Constitutional Interpretation?
Chapter 2 Federalism: Shoud Undocumented Students Quaify for In-State Tuition Benefits from Pubic Colleges and Universities?
Chapter 3 Civil Liberties: Should Government-Sponsored Prayer Be Allowed in the Public Schools?
Chapter 4 Civil Rights: Race-Based Affirmative Action in College Admissions: Keep it, Mend it, or End it?
Chapter 5 Political Socialization and Culture: Are Bilingual Programs the Best Way to Teach Students with Limited English Proficiency?
Chapter 6 The Media: Should the U.S. media have shown the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed originally published in a Danish newspaper?
Chapter 7 Political Interest Groups: Are School Vouchers a Key to Meaningful Educational Reform?
Chapter 8 Political Parties and Campaigns: Is Campaign Reform Needed?
Chapter 9 Voting: What is the fairest method of redistricting?
Chapter 10 Elections: Is the Electoral College the Best Way to Elect U.S. Presidents?
Chapter 11 Congress: Should the Senate Continue the Practice of the Filibuster?
Chapter 12 The Presidency: How Limited Should Presidential Power in Wartime?
Chapter 13 The Judiciary: Should the case Kelo v. City of New London be revisited?
Chapter 14 Foreign Policy: What is the Best Exit Plan for the U.S. in Iraq?

Editorial Reviews

You Decide! is an interactive text in the good old-fashioned sense, presenting the facts and the arguments of both sides of current issues and offering challenging questions to the reader. Reading it as it is presented in manageable chunks, issue by issue, eliminates any excuse to avoid the public debate. Highly recommended.

Nancy Brown Speckmann

Ideal for classroom use. Employs a highly effective pedagogical framework that includes concise overviews, case studies, and policy alternatives of relevant political issues in American politics. This volume will both inform and critically engage the student.

Joseph R. Fornieri

You Decide brings institutional and public policy issues to life with interesting narratives that frame issues of the day and incisive questions that are sure to provoke classroom debate. This expanded and revised second edition promises to engage students of politics in addressing some of the most challenging topics in U.S. politics today.

Michael J. Goff

You Decide! is an interactive text in the good old-fashioned sense, presenting the facts and the arguments of both sides of current issues and offering challenging questions to the reader. Reading it as it is presented in manageable chunks, issue by issue, eliminates any excuse to avoid the public debate. Highly recommended.--Nancy Brown Speckmann, San Diego State University and Grossmont College

Ideal for classroom use. Employs a highly effective pedagogical framework that includes concise overviews, case studies, and policy alternatives of relevant political issues in American politics. This volume will both inform and critically engage the student.--Joseph R. Fornieri, Rochester Institute of Technology

You Decide brings institutional and public policy issues to life with interesting narratives that frame issues of the day and incisive questions that are sure to provoke classroom debate. This expanded and revised second edition promises to engage students of politics in addressing some of the most challenging topics in U.S. politics today.--Michael J. Goff, Loyola College in Maryland

From the Publisher