Lone Star Politics

Learn how Texas politics affects public policy.

Lone Star Politics emphasizes public policy and the decisions of political actors in its approach to studying contemporary Texas politics. Using the best scholarship, current examples, and historical context, the authors examine how government and politics respond and adapt to the changes in the Texas political landscape. 

Fully revised to meet the GOVT2305/2306 curriculum changes, Lone Star Politics, 2/e contains 14 chapters–a full semester’s worth of Texas Government content. The second edition features the same pedagogical features students currently enjoy in American Government textbooks, extending their learning experience from the 2305 course seamlessly into 2306. 

MyPoliSciLab is an integral part of the Goldstein program. Key learning applications include Texas Tribune Videos, Texas Explorer activities and state specific Simulations. MyPoliSciLab for Lone Star Politics makes reading the textbook a greater opportunity for analyzing current events, thinking critically about politics, and participating in politics.

A better teaching and learning experience

This program will provide a better teaching and learning experience–for you and your students. Here’s how:

• Personalize Learning– MyPoliSciLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program. It helps students prepare for class and instructors gauge individual and class performance.
• Explore Concepts and Current Events–Examines the past, present, and future of Texas politics.
• Improve Critical Thinking– Pedagogy throughout the text supports active learning of key themes.
• Engage Students– A new design simplifies the presentation of content to facilitate print and digital reading experiences.
• Emphasize Learning Outcomes–In MyPoliSciLab, study plans based on book-specific learning objectives give students follow-up reading, video, and multimedia activities for further practice.
• Support Instructors–A full set of supplements, including MyPoliSciLab, provides instructors with all the resources and support they need.  

Paul Benson is chair of the government department at Tarrant County College - NW, where he has taught for 25 years.  He teaches Texas and US government, as well as an occasional US History course.  He has taught online government courses for over a dozen years.  He has delivered several professional development seminars on “Teaching Texas Government,” and speaks regularly to local civic and community groups.  A former journalist and political consultant, he has an insider’s insight into the Texas political process. 

Tony Giardino currently teaches Texas Government, American National Government, Public Administration and Policy and Judicial Process. A 30-year police veteran, he also works as a police administrator, specializing in policy development, personnel selection, and training.  As Program Manager for the Texas Police Chief's Association Best Practices Recognition Program, he regularly teaches Criminal Procedure and Search and Seizure at area police academies.  Tony's community activities include technical policy writing and speaking and consulting for various community, civic, and non-profit organizations. 

David Clinkscale is a fifth generation Texan who has taught at Tarrant County College for thirty-six years, serving as a department coordinator and department chair.  He attended (then) Tarrant County Junior College and Southwest Texas State University, from which he graduated with a double major in government and history.  He completed his graduated work in political science and history at the University of Missouri.  Active in the Texas Community College Teachers Association, including a term as president, he has been involved in many aspects of college governance at TCC.