Power, Politics, and Engagement in US Government

Common Course ID: POLS 1000
CSU Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait

Abstract: This open textbook is being utilized in a political science course for undergraduate or graduate students by Atsuko Sato at California State University, Los Angeles. The open textbook provides a critical discussion of American politics centered around the issues of class, race, and power. The main motivation to adopt an open textbook was to apply a critical framework for teaching the course. Most student access the open textbook in digital PDF made available in Canvas course.

Course Title and Number: Power, Politics, and Engagement in US Government - POLS 1000
Brief Description of course highlights:  American political system with an emphasis on role and function of government in social context of a democratic political system. Satisfies U.S. Constitution and California state and local government requirements. Not open to students who have completed an introductory college course in U.S. government.

Student population: Since this is an introductory (1000 level) required course for every student, students come from various majors. Most students (except international students) have prior basic knowledge of American government from high school.  

Learning or student outcomes:  List student learning outcomes for the course.
1. Students should have a basic knowledge of the methods, approaches, or theories used in accumulating and interpreting information applicable to the discipline of political science. 2.Students should have a basic knowledge of the dynamics of politics and power at work in the modern world. 3. Students should be able to demonstrate the basic research skills necessary to write a paper in the discipline of political science.

Key challenges faced and how resolved: Challenge: For essay assignments based on the textbook, I observed that some students used AI programs. Solution: I created video response essay questions based on each chapter. By requiring students to watch a related short evidence-based video of the current political issues, students must incorporate not only the contents of a text chapter but also a discussion of the video into their essay. This is more effective to assess students’ understanding of the textbook and to enhance their ability to apply the concepts of American government to the real world.      

Textbook or OER/Low cost Title: Class, Race, and Power in American Politics: A Comparative Perspective

Brief Description: An unconventional, intersectional examination of American politics.

Please provide a link to the resource  https://pressbooks.calstate.edu/tclim/

Authors:  Timothy C. Lim

Student access:  Canvas

Supplemental resources: The videos are inserted into the quiz question.

Provide the cost savings from that of a traditional textbook.  $30-$200

License: Copyrighted

OER/Low Cost Adoption Process

Provide an explanation or what motivated you to use this textbook or OER/Low Cost option. Since textbooks for American Government are very expensive (over $100), to save the costs for students, I chose this free textbook.

How did you find and select the open textbook for this course? My colleague, Professor Timothy C. Lim introduced me to his new online textbook.

Sharing Best Practices: Take your time to thoroughly read the contents of the textbook and add some contents or omit chapters and make your own course reading list.

Describe any key challenges you experienced, how they were resolved  and lessons learned. . So far, I have not experienced any challenges. 

Instructor Name - Atsuko Sato, Ph. D. 
I am a political science professor at California State University, Los Angeles. I teach Gender, Politics, and Government, Foundations of Global Politics, International Relations, Dynamics of Change in the Developing World, Data Analysis for Public and Nonprofit Managers, and Power, Politics, and Engagement in US Government.

Please provide a link to your university page.
https://www.calstatela.edu/

Please describe the courses you teach I teach Gender, Politics, and Government, Foundations of Global Politics, International Relations, Dynamics of Change in the Developing World, Data Analysis for Public and Nonprofit Managers, and Power, Politics, and Engagement in US Government.

Describe your teaching philosophy and any research interests related to your discipline or teaching.  I emphasize critical thinking, applications of theoretical concepts to the real world (current events), and positive, open learning environment.