A Novel Approach To Politics: Introducing Political Science Through Books, Movies, and Popular Culture

by Douglas A. Van Belle

What if we told you that a textbook could be funny and irreverent utilizing popular books, movies, music, and television shows to introduce political science concepts? This novel approach to explaining our need for government and the intrigue of politics is a reality. Van Belle and Mash do not compromise on the Political Science content, nor do they stint on real-world political examples throughout the book. The basics and the depth are all here. The added innovation? to give you context through the popular culture you re already plugged into. Simply put, this is not a typical or boring textbook. From references to 1984 and Lord of the Flies to mentions of The Matrix and A Clockwork Orange you ll be surprised by how the core concepts of political science institutions, ideology, economics, elections, culture, national politics, and international relations are interwoven with a highly entertaining discussion of popular culture.

Genres: Politics, Textbooks

330 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

Reviews

[Dewey Decimal Depressive · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why didn't I like this book? Here's a tidy list of reasons.

The author:
1. Wastes reams of paper and hours of students' time weaving in digressive justifications for his masturbatory writing style.
2. Distracts from and, in some cases, obfuscates otherwise straightforward definitions with tasteless chestnuts and esoteric screen references
3. Is so self-indulgent that he feels the need to clutter every page with extraneous footnotes where he can make abortive attempt after abortive attempt at eliciting laughter with his artless jokes.

If you are a professor considering the use of this textbook, you would do well to avoid it.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I like the course this textbook came with, I did not like the textbook. The information presented in the text was redundant at times, it jumped at points too. The author would be making a point then try to use levity to help make it and it just did not work. I would have preferred a straight forward textbook for this class.

[Abby · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this for a college class. I hated every second of reading it. The author tries to be funny and relevant by discussing politics through movies and television series. The book is 3x as long as it should be because of unnecessary crap about films and television. It is not stimulating and is the most boring book I have ever read. In addition, the author is a Democrat, given his unnecessary amount of hating on Republicans throughout the book. So it is frustrating that an intro to poli sci book has to be so partisan. Lastly, things like "democracy had suddenly turned into a drunken teenager trying to get into someone's pants on spring break" are extremely unwarranted and should have no place in the book (page 207). Spare yourself the waste of time and don't read. Also, if you are a professor, don't make your students read this awful piece of writing.

[Sarah]

Never read, donated

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

hands down best textbook I ever read.

[Amanda Stewlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this textbook, even if you're not taking the class or remotely interested in political science. The author was a RIOT. He used movies, television shows and popular culture to help describe and illustrate his various points and topics in the political science realm. I absorbed so much knowledge from this textbook because I actually enjoyed reading it.

[Hakija · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a fun book. This book is very enjoyable to read.