Inexpensive and brief, this book is an excellent foundation for professors who want to add supplementary texts, additional readings, or periodicals. Coverage of hot topics in American political culture includes values-based conflicts over gay rights, the ongoing immigration debate, and bias in the mass media. Strong attention to civil rights and liberties , presents the most recent Supreme Court cases on issues such as affirmative action and the war on terror. Up-to-date coverage on public policy , including recent changes in social welfare policy and prescription drug coverage. In-depth coverage of important and often overlooked topics , includes discussions of unconventional participation, religion and politics, and linguistic minorities. A hallmark of text, completely up-to-date scholarship incorporates the most recent political science research available. Chapter-opening vignettes introduce the subject matter with high-interest issues such as Hurricane Katrina (Chapter 3) and the role of race and gender in the 2008 campaign (Chapter 15). "Election Voices" essays explore the various sides of important, current public policy debates on such topics as the constitutionality of the death penalty, arguments for and against restrictions on lobbying, and the complex matter of U.

S. energy policy. "On the Web" list of links found at the end of each chapter directs students to pertinent web sites for further study. Chapter Summary, Key Terms, and annotated Suggested Readings are also found at the end of each chapter.