@article{909670,
      recid = {909670},
      author = {La Raja, Raymond J.,},
      title = {New directions in American politics [electronic resource]  /},
      publisher = {Routledge,},
      address = {New York :},
      pages = {xxii, 345 p. :},
      year = {2013},
      abstract = {"New Directions in American Politics brings together top  scholars to write original essays across the standard  curriculum of American government and politics, capturing  emerging research in the discipline in a way that is  accessible for undergraduates. Each chapter combines  substantive knowledge with the kind of skill-building and  analytical inquiry that is being touted at top universities  across the country. Contributors to New Directions  highlight why the questions they seek to answer are  critical for understanding American politics, and situate  them in the broader context of controversies in research.  The book will introduce students to how political science  works, in addition to how our political system works. The  teaching of American politics follows a well-worn path.  Textbooks for introductory courses hew to a traditional set  of chapters that describe the Founding, American  institutions, the ways citizens participate in politics,  and sometimes public policy. The material rarely engages  students in the kind of questions that animate scholarship  on politics. One hurdle for instructors is finding material  that reflects quality scholarship--and thus teaches  students about why, not just what--and yet is accessible  for undergraduates. Articles in scholarly journals are  typically unsuited for undergraduate courses, particularly  introductory courses. What is needed is a book that conveys  exciting trends in scholarship across vital topics in  American politics and illustrates analytical thinking. New  Directions in American Politics is that book and will be an  ideal companion to standard textbooks that focus mostly on  nuts and bolts of politics"--},
      url = {http://library.usi.edu/record/909670},
}