Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Science, Technology, and Society Review

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(More customer reviews)From a student perspective (ie. having to write weekly 2000 word essays pertaining to this book), I have to say my prof made a wonderful decision to choose this book. The topics were very up-to-date and thought provoking. It's nice to discuss the future of robots, cell phone radiation, and have current heated topics in class. I'm sick of hearing about the abortion, death penalty, right to bare arms topics. Students over used those discussions in high schoool. Basically, I give an A+ for the interesting topics.
The book is also setup in a very student friendly fashion. Topics are given a 1 page summary relating the pros and cons of 2 writers opinions before plunging into their papers. After the 2 opinions are presented, there is also a page for points to ponder afterward. These two features proved very handy when having to do class discussions over something you read a week before. Skimming for quick recall can be a good thing!
Although I wouldn't have bought this book if I didn't have to, I believe it is an excellent choice for profs to use in class.

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Taking Sides volumes present current controversial issues in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Each issue is thoughtfully framed with an issue summary, an issue introduction, and a postscript or challenge questions. Taking Sides readers feature an annotated listing of selected World Wide Web sites. An online Instructor's Resource Guide with testing material is available for each volume. Using Taking Sides in the Classroom is also an excellent instructor resource. Visit www.mhcls.com for more information.

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Global Studies: Africa Review

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(More customer reviews)I got quite a deal on this book by purchasing it from Amazon. It was in wonderful conition. This is not the first time i've purchased from Amazon, and it will not be the last!

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Global Studies is a unique series designed to provide comprehensive background information and selected world press articles on the regions and countries of the world. Each Global Studies volume includes an annotated listing of World Wide Web sites. Global Studies titles are supported with study tools and links to related websites at our student website www.dushkin.com/online/.

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Taking Sides: Clashing Views on African Issues Review

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(More customer reviews)Textbooks are inherently flawed. I do not like them. Nevertheless, they seem necessary. As textbooks go, this one is fairly good. It presents opposing viewpoints on various complex and contested issues that affect Africans and Africa. Topics range from excision (female circumcision) to economic development to the origins of corruption. It is good for giving American students, who are generally thoroughly ignorant about Africa (well what do you expect when their vision of Africa comes from Disney's "The Lion King"...), some insight into the complexity of this immense continent.
On the positive side, the "articles" or viewpoints are written by recognized experts who are able to highlight some of the major arguments for or against a position in a relatively concise manner. The book also has an introduction and historical overview that situates the "problems" it explores. I would also note that it includes with every debate a list of further resources.
On the negative side, it is "problem" focused so it tends to reinforce the already-existing stereotype prevalent in the US and the West in general that Africa is a "problem" and one that has to be resolved by outsiders. Also, although the contributors are, without question, experts in the field(s) of African studies, very few of them are Africans (I am not African and I teach African studies, but it is nice to have a bit of balance).
I would not base my entire class upon this book. I use it with one or two other texts and with a number of films (African films) in my classes. However, used in that context, it has been effective at generating discussion and debate and in getting students to understand that contemporary Africa is not what most American students think it is, that Africans do not conform to the stereotypes that the American media creates of them, and that the problems that face Africa and Africans are sufficiently complex that they cannot be quickly and easily resolved (if they could be, Africans would have resolved them).

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This Third Edition of TAKING SIDES: CLASHING VIEWS ON AFRICAN ISSUES presents current controversial issues in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Each issue is thoughtfully framed with an issue summary, an issue introduction, and a postscript. An instructor's manual with testing material is available for each volume. USING TAKING SIDES IN THE CLASSROOM, ISBN 0073343900 is also an excellent instructor resource with practical suggestions on incorporating this effective approach in the classroom. Each TAKING SIDES reader features an annotated listing of selected World Wide Web sites and is supported by our student website, www.mhcls.com/online.

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Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in World Politics (Taking Sides: World Politics) Review

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(More customer reviews)This series of books, "Taking Sides", are great for anyone who wants different perspectives on the controversial issues of today. I bought this book for a Political Science class. I found myself reading the book from cover to cover. The book gives several different topics. There is usually an introduction to the topic and two different essays written about the topic, one for and one against. It is organized in an easy to read format. I highly recommend this book and I would recommend trying some of the other books in the "Taking Sides" series.

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This twelfth edition of TAKING SIDES: WORLD POLITICS presents current controversial issues in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Each issue is thoughtfully framed with an issue summary, an issue introduction, and a postscript. An instructor's manual with testing material is available for each volume. USING TAKING SIDES IN THE CLASSROOM is also an excellent instructor resource with practical suggestions on incorporating this effective approach in the classroom.Each TAKING SIDES reader features an annotated listing of selected World Wide Web sites and is supported by our student website, www.dushkin.com/online.

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