Class Texts

Course Information

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Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the principles, organization and politics of the National Government of the United States, including the study of State and local government. In considering government at the State level, specific emphasis is given to the government of the State of California. Throughout the course, current issues in American and State politics are stressed.

 

Texts (Required):

The two required texts are:

  1. Krutz, Glen and Sylvie Waskiewicz. (2021). American Government 3e. Rice University: Open Stax; Direct LINK: Links to an external site.Link to Textbook Links to an external site. to read online (or download pdf on next page). Links to an external site.

  2. Download Introduction to California Government and Politics by Steven Reti, A OER Resource from College of the Canyons, Version 1, 2019


    Cover of the California Politics textbook

Important Information Regarding Both Texts:

BOTH books required for this course.

Both texts are available for FREE.

You can decide to purchase a printed version from the COD website or online. 

Be sure to download a file of the American Government PDF to a computer or tablet for when you need to read the text but do not have Internet access. I'll also include the chapters within the modules. 

If Choosing to Print: As you can see by the "Course Reading Schedule" at the end of the Syllabus, we are not using Chapter 14 of American Government. Further, Chapter 15 is not extensively used - the only assignment you have for that chapter is an optional extra credit quiz that some of you may choose not to take. As such, my recommendation is not to print these chapters so you don't waste money. I would also avoid printing anything but Chapters 1-13, 16 and 17 (meaning, there is no need to print the supplemental material, text information/preface, which takes up the first few pages). Finally, you should consider the type of printer you have and whether or not it is cost/time effective for you to use a printer. It may be considerably cheaper to buy the custom bundle from the COD Bookstore Links to an external site.. The bundle has all of the chapters you need from both the American Government and CA Politics texts and none of the chapters you don't.

Purchasing Online: When going to the American Government  Links to an external site.book online, Open Stax links directly to this Amazon page Links to an external site. when you go to the option "Order a print copy" then to "Individual Orders." However, be mindful that even though Open Stax is listed as the source of the text (sold via Amazon), you may still have to refer to the online version since it appears the version on Amazon was printed upon the book's first publication in 2016. Since then, the online version has been updated with a few additions and corrections. Since none of the course's quizzes/assessments are timed, you will have the opportunity to look at the updated online version, if necessary (for example, if you can't find the information in the printed copy). 

If you purchase from a third-party on Amazon or any other site, you run the risk of quality issues, like missing pages. Many third-party sellers are likely selling a copy they printed themselves. Therefore, if you need a printed copy of the book, it is best to price out your options, use the campus resources, or purchase from Open Stax on Amazon. If you obtain any other way, you assume responsibility for quality issues. You are responsible for any and all costs incurred should you choose/need to obtain a printed copy or the COD custom bundle of this free online book.