We decided to write this textbook because as instructors ourselves, we understand that everyone teaches about the American Government system differently. Although we all teach differently, there still exists essential and fundamental knowledge that we all touch upon at some point and we wanted to provide this text as a place for that essential knowledge. Our goal is to provide students with a text that will provide them with multiple opportunities to think critically about our political system and how regardless of who they are or where they are from, they can recognize the impact that the government has on their lives.

This text is not an anthology, nor is it meant to be the only means by which you engage in meaningful teaching and discussion. We fully expect that you may want to supplement information in areas that you choose to focus more upon within your individual course. Our goal has been to create a text that engages students to be critical and reflective while building their analytical skills. Each chapter presents its own perspective on the American political system with the end goal of providing instructors and students a foundation with which to discuss and think critically and compassionately about the world and others.

Dr. Precious Hall is an Assistant Professor of Government and Saint Lawrence University in Canton, New York where she began teaching in 2020.  Prior to her joining the faculty at Saint Lawrence, she served as a Professor of Political Science at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada.  Dr. Hall earned both her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.  Her fields of study include American Government, Political Behavior with a specific focus on race and politics within these fields.  Through her lens of research, she has investigated minority politicians in the post-Obama government and the rhetoric and style of campaigns used by African American politicians in the notion of a post racial society.  Presently, her research focuses on how African American politicians continue to relate to the majority electorate and how the majority electorate’s attitudes shift in regards to racial considerations.  Overall, she studies the intersections of race, power, and privilege in society. 

Dr. Hall hails from Baltimore, Maryland and is a member of the American Political Science Association (APSA), Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA), and the National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS).