Instructor Manual
Table of Contents
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter.......................................................................................................2
Cengage Supplements.................................................................................................................................2
List of Student Downloads.......................................................................................................................2
Chapter Objectives......................................................................................................................................3
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments................................................................................3
Key Terms...................................................................................................................................................5
What's New in This Chapter........................................................................................................................6
Chapter Outline...........................................................................................................................................6
Discussion Questions...................................................................................................................................8
Suggested Method for Activities and Assignments...................................................................................10
Additional Resources.................................................................................................................................10
Cengage Video Resources......................................................................................................................10
External Videos or Playlist.....................................................................................................................11
Internet Resources................................................................................................................................11
Sugges琀椀ons for Addi琀椀onal Reading and Primary Sources.....................................................................11
Appendix...................................................................................................................................................13
Generic Rubrics......................................................................................................................................13
Standard Wri琀椀ng Rubric........................................................................................................................13
Standard Discussion Rubric...................................................................................................................14
,Purpose and Perspec琀椀ve of the Chapter
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the study of American government, explore the ways in which
observers have studied and explained American politics, and examine the ways in which politics are
demonstrated in society.
Cengage Supplements
The following product-level supplements provide additional information that may help you in preparing
your course. They are available in the Instructor Resource Center.
Political Science Guide to Teaching Online
o A guide with technology and pedagogy tips for teaching your course online.
The Cengage Political Science Blog: https://blog.cengage.com/tag/political-science/
o A source of discovery and connection to a community of instructors sharing teaching tips,
class activities, timely discussion ideas, and more.
American Government YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcFM0VUmi-
f8BvRMaiWae4g
o A selection of videos for customizing your learning path
MindTap Educator Guide
o A detailed list of the assets in your MindTap course
Transition Guide
o Highlights content changes and updates in the new edition of the textbook and
courseware design
Standard Writing Rubric
o A customizable rubric for evaluating students’ written work, for use as both a grading
tool and a student-facing document for setting expectations.
Standard Discussion Rubric
o A customizable rubric for evaluating students’ discussion contributions, for use as both a
grading tool and a student-facing document for setting expectations.
MindTap Performance Reports Instructor Guide for American Government
o A guide for making the most of the new performance reports functionality within
MindTap.
List of Student Downloads
Students should download the following appendices from the Student Companion Center to complete the
activities and assignments related to this course:
The Declaration of Independence
The Constitution of the United States
The Federalist Papers No. 10
The Federalist Papers No. 51
The Federalist Papers No. 78
Chapter Objec琀椀ves
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
LO 1-1: Explain how politics drives democracy.
LO 1-2: Discuss five views of how political power is distributed in the United States.
, LO: 1-3: Explain why “who governs?” and “to what ends?” are fundamental questions in American
politics.
LO 1-4: Summarize the key concepts for classifying the politics of different policy issues.
Complete List of Chapter Ac琀椀vi琀椀es and Assessments
For additional guidance refer to the Guide to Teaching Online.
Chapter PPT slide Activity/Assessment Duration Texas Standards for GOVT
Objective 2305
1-1 6 MindTap: Why Does 10 min 2. Demonstrate knowledge
Government Matter to Me? of the federal system
1-1 MindTap Case Study: What is 10 min 2. Demonstrate knowledge
Government For? of the federal system
1-2 9 Activity: Small Group 8-10 min 8. Analyze issues and
Discussion: Define Politics policies in U.S. politics.
and Power
Students will describe their
own definitions of politics
and power and then compare
those initial perceptions to the
definitions given in the text
1-3 12-15 Activity: Large Group 15 min 8. Analyze issues and
Discussion: Make Your Own policies in U.S. politics.
Political Agenda
Students will describe the
political issue most important
to them. Compiling their
responses in a word cloud,
students will then discuss
their political agenda and the
factors that influenced their
choices.
1-3 6 MindTap Learn It without 8 min 2. Demonstrate knowledge
Video: The Purpose of of the federal system
Politics and Government
Students will explore the
basic functions of government
and the perspectives that
influenced the construct of
American government and
politics.
1-4 10 Activity: Small Group: How 10 min 8. Analyze issues and
Should the Federal policies in U.S. politics.
Government Act? Should the
federal government do more
to ensure protests are
, peaceful? Should the federal
government take on more
responsibility to prevent
public health crises, such as
the COVID-19 pandemic?
In small groups, students will
discuss how the federal
government should respond
when there are protests and
how the government should
respond to the COVID-19
pandemic.
1-4 20 MindTap Reconsider the 10 min 8. Analyze issues and
Issue: The Government policies in U.S. politics.
[return to top]
Key Terms
Issue: A conflict, real or apparent, between the interests, ideas, or beliefs of different citizens.
Politics: The activity by which an issue is agitated or settled
Power: The ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s
intentions.
Legitimacy: Political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution.
Democracy: The rule of the many.
Direct or Participatory democracy: A government in which all or most citizens participate directly.
Representative democracy: A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive
struggle for the popular vote.
Elite: Persons who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource, such as money, prestige, or
expertise.
Class view: View that the government is dominated by capitalists.
Power elite view: View that the government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom are outside
of government.
Bureaucratic view: View that the government is dominated by appointed officials.
Pluralist view: View that competition among all affected interests shapes public policy.
Creedal passion view: View that morally impassioned elites drive important political changes
Political agenda: Issues that people believe require governmental action.
Cost: A burden that people believe they must bear if a policy is adopted.
Benefit: A satisfaction that people believe they will enjoy if a policy is adopted.
Table of Contents
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter.......................................................................................................2
Cengage Supplements.................................................................................................................................2
List of Student Downloads.......................................................................................................................2
Chapter Objectives......................................................................................................................................3
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments................................................................................3
Key Terms...................................................................................................................................................5
What's New in This Chapter........................................................................................................................6
Chapter Outline...........................................................................................................................................6
Discussion Questions...................................................................................................................................8
Suggested Method for Activities and Assignments...................................................................................10
Additional Resources.................................................................................................................................10
Cengage Video Resources......................................................................................................................10
External Videos or Playlist.....................................................................................................................11
Internet Resources................................................................................................................................11
Sugges琀椀ons for Addi琀椀onal Reading and Primary Sources.....................................................................11
Appendix...................................................................................................................................................13
Generic Rubrics......................................................................................................................................13
Standard Wri琀椀ng Rubric........................................................................................................................13
Standard Discussion Rubric...................................................................................................................14
,Purpose and Perspec琀椀ve of the Chapter
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the study of American government, explore the ways in which
observers have studied and explained American politics, and examine the ways in which politics are
demonstrated in society.
Cengage Supplements
The following product-level supplements provide additional information that may help you in preparing
your course. They are available in the Instructor Resource Center.
Political Science Guide to Teaching Online
o A guide with technology and pedagogy tips for teaching your course online.
The Cengage Political Science Blog: https://blog.cengage.com/tag/political-science/
o A source of discovery and connection to a community of instructors sharing teaching tips,
class activities, timely discussion ideas, and more.
American Government YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcFM0VUmi-
f8BvRMaiWae4g
o A selection of videos for customizing your learning path
MindTap Educator Guide
o A detailed list of the assets in your MindTap course
Transition Guide
o Highlights content changes and updates in the new edition of the textbook and
courseware design
Standard Writing Rubric
o A customizable rubric for evaluating students’ written work, for use as both a grading
tool and a student-facing document for setting expectations.
Standard Discussion Rubric
o A customizable rubric for evaluating students’ discussion contributions, for use as both a
grading tool and a student-facing document for setting expectations.
MindTap Performance Reports Instructor Guide for American Government
o A guide for making the most of the new performance reports functionality within
MindTap.
List of Student Downloads
Students should download the following appendices from the Student Companion Center to complete the
activities and assignments related to this course:
The Declaration of Independence
The Constitution of the United States
The Federalist Papers No. 10
The Federalist Papers No. 51
The Federalist Papers No. 78
Chapter Objec琀椀ves
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
LO 1-1: Explain how politics drives democracy.
LO 1-2: Discuss five views of how political power is distributed in the United States.
, LO: 1-3: Explain why “who governs?” and “to what ends?” are fundamental questions in American
politics.
LO 1-4: Summarize the key concepts for classifying the politics of different policy issues.
Complete List of Chapter Ac琀椀vi琀椀es and Assessments
For additional guidance refer to the Guide to Teaching Online.
Chapter PPT slide Activity/Assessment Duration Texas Standards for GOVT
Objective 2305
1-1 6 MindTap: Why Does 10 min 2. Demonstrate knowledge
Government Matter to Me? of the federal system
1-1 MindTap Case Study: What is 10 min 2. Demonstrate knowledge
Government For? of the federal system
1-2 9 Activity: Small Group 8-10 min 8. Analyze issues and
Discussion: Define Politics policies in U.S. politics.
and Power
Students will describe their
own definitions of politics
and power and then compare
those initial perceptions to the
definitions given in the text
1-3 12-15 Activity: Large Group 15 min 8. Analyze issues and
Discussion: Make Your Own policies in U.S. politics.
Political Agenda
Students will describe the
political issue most important
to them. Compiling their
responses in a word cloud,
students will then discuss
their political agenda and the
factors that influenced their
choices.
1-3 6 MindTap Learn It without 8 min 2. Demonstrate knowledge
Video: The Purpose of of the federal system
Politics and Government
Students will explore the
basic functions of government
and the perspectives that
influenced the construct of
American government and
politics.
1-4 10 Activity: Small Group: How 10 min 8. Analyze issues and
Should the Federal policies in U.S. politics.
Government Act? Should the
federal government do more
to ensure protests are
, peaceful? Should the federal
government take on more
responsibility to prevent
public health crises, such as
the COVID-19 pandemic?
In small groups, students will
discuss how the federal
government should respond
when there are protests and
how the government should
respond to the COVID-19
pandemic.
1-4 20 MindTap Reconsider the 10 min 8. Analyze issues and
Issue: The Government policies in U.S. politics.
[return to top]
Key Terms
Issue: A conflict, real or apparent, between the interests, ideas, or beliefs of different citizens.
Politics: The activity by which an issue is agitated or settled
Power: The ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s
intentions.
Legitimacy: Political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution.
Democracy: The rule of the many.
Direct or Participatory democracy: A government in which all or most citizens participate directly.
Representative democracy: A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive
struggle for the popular vote.
Elite: Persons who possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource, such as money, prestige, or
expertise.
Class view: View that the government is dominated by capitalists.
Power elite view: View that the government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom are outside
of government.
Bureaucratic view: View that the government is dominated by appointed officials.
Pluralist view: View that competition among all affected interests shapes public policy.
Creedal passion view: View that morally impassioned elites drive important political changes
Political agenda: Issues that people believe require governmental action.
Cost: A burden that people believe they must bear if a policy is adopted.
Benefit: A satisfaction that people believe they will enjoy if a policy is adopted.
