American Civilization An Introduction

This revised and updated edition of the hugely successful American Civilization provides students of American studies with the perfect background and introductory information on contemporary American life. This sixth edition examines the central dimensions of American society from geography and the environment, government and politics, to religion, education, sports, media and the arts. This book:

• covers all core American studies topics at introductory level.
• contains essential historical background for American studies students in the twenty-first century
• analyzes issues of gender, class, race, and minorities in America’s cosmopolitan population.
• contains color photos, case studies, questions and terms for discussion, bibliographical references and lists of websites central to each chapter.
• accompanied by a fully integrated companion website featuring extensive references for further reading, links to key primary sources, filmographies and advice for students on how to approach essay questions.

Featuring new color illustrations and case studies, this edition includes expanded sections on the environment, immigration, foreign policy, media and the arts, sport and leisure cultures as well as a new section on the LGBT community and detailed coverage of the 2012 election and shifting economic situation.

List of Plates. List of Figures. List of Tables. Preface and Acknowledgements. Chronology of Significant Dates in American History 1. The American Context 2. The Country 3. The People: Settlement and Immigration 4. The People: Women and Minorities 5. Religious Cultures 6. Political Institutions: the federal government 7. Political institutions: state and local government 8. Foreign Policy 9. The legal system 10. The economy 11. Social services 12. Education 13. The media 14. Arts, sports and leisure cultures. Further Reading. Websites. Appendix: Declaration of Independence in Congress, 4th July 1776. The Constitution of the United States of America and Amendments. Index

David Mauk is Associate Professor of North American Area Studies at the University of Oslo and is the author of The Colony that Rose from the Sea: Norwegian Maritime Migration and Community in Brooklyn and many articles on American politics, immigration and ethnicity.

John Oakland is the author of British Civilization (now in its 7th edition), Irish Civilization (with Arthur Aughey), Contemporary Britain and British Civilization: A Student’s Dictionary. He is a former Associate Professor in English at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.