A Novel Approach to Politics: Introducing Political Science through Books, Movies, and Popular Culture
The slightly irreverent, humorous approach of the authors went over well with my students; I appreciated the sophisticated yet accessible treatment of the philosophical roots and theoretic structure of the study of politics. It worked very well with my approach to introducing political science; using the book with films and current events facilitated dynamic and far-ranging discussion. --- SeÃ¡n P. Duffy, Quinnipiac UniversityIn all of my class lectures, I frequently mention films, books, and TV shows that illustrate a point of political interest. When Van Belle and Mash first released their delightful text, I found a book to use whose kindred spirit matched my approach. It is fun, funny, informative, and most importantly, it serves up politics to a generation of students who have been socialized by the entertainment media. --- Jim Radford, Radford UniversityAs an instructor who struggles to animate students about the importance politics in their daily lives, this text accomplishes the almost impossible--it makes students smile and even laugh about politics. The framing of political theory in such a way that challenges students to think and to internalize ideas is a major accomplishment. As a supplementary reader it enriches and brings ideas to life while providing much needed substance to class discussions. - --Richard S. Gutierrez, University of Texas, El PasoIn all of my class lectures, I frequently mention films, books, and TV shows that illustrate a point of political interest. When Van Belle and Mash first released their delightful text, I found a book to use whose kindred spirit matched my approach. It is fun, funny, informative, and most importantly, it serves up politics to a generation of students who have been socialized by the entertainment media. --- Jim Radford, Radford UniversityAs an instructor who struggles to animate students about the importance politics in their daily lives, this text accomplishes the almost impossible--it makes students smile and even laugh about politics. The framing of political theory in such a way that challenges students to think and to internalize ideas is a major accomplishment. As a supplementary reader it enriches and brings ideas to life while providing much needed substance to class discussions. --- Richard S. Gutierrez, University of Texas, El Paso