American Government


The 8th edition of this well-respected text features the 2014 midterm Congressional elections, the latest on Obama's presidency, important Supreme Court decisions, the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and other timely updates. An increased attention to media in politics runs through the book.








Key learning objectives at the beginning of every chapter focus students on central points to watch for.







"The Constitution Today" chapter opening vignettes illustrate the importance of conflicting views on constitutional principles.







Key terms defined in the margins on the page where they appear help students study important concepts.







Colorful figures, photos, and tables help students visualize important information.







"Let's Compare" boxes analyze how functions of government and political participation work in other countries-now framed by new critical thinking questions.







Reformatted "Pro & Con" boxes bring to life a central debate in each chapter and highlight competing perspectives.







End-of-chapter summaries, suggested readings, and web resources help students master the material and guide them to further critical investigation of important concepts and topics.







"Struggling towards Democracy" discussion questions now do more to provoke critical thinking through examining the "then and now" of democracy in America.











Texas Politics


The fifth edition of this popular text is now expanded and updated to better fit the needs of a stand-alone Texas Politics course. Jillson continues to approach the politics of the Lone Star State from historical, developmental, and analytical perspectives, while giving students the most even-handed, readable, and engaging description of Texas politics available today. Throughout the book students are encouraged to connect the origins and development of government and politics in Texas--from the Texas Constitution, to party competition, to the role and powers of the Governor--to its current day practice and the alternatives possible through change and reform. This text helps instructors prepare their students to master the origin and development of the Texas Constitution, the structure and powers of state and local government in Texas, how Texas fits into the U.S. federal system, as well as political participation, the electoral process, and public policy in Texas.


Texas Politics offers instructors and students an unmatched range of pedagogical aids and tools. Each chapter opens with an engaging vignette and a series of focus questions to orient readers to the learning objectives at hand and concludes with a chapter summary, a list of key terms, review questions, suggested readings, and web resources. Key terms are bolded in the text, listed at the end of the chapter, and included in a glossary at the end of the book. Each chapter includes "Let's Compare" boxes to help students see how Texas sits alongside other states, and "Pro & Con" boxes to bring conflicting political views into sharper focus. Tables, figures, and photos throughout highlight the major ideas, issues, individuals, and institutions discussed.