Teaching American Politics explores the process of teaching about controversial issues such as health care policy, education policy, immigration and family policy in the classroom.

Offering a timely viewpoint on the role of civic engagement in American democracy, Professor Skocpol’s describes her current research focusing on the changing patterns of participation in voluntary associations and the changing types of associations and civic institutions available in America today.

Professor Waters points out "inconvenient facts" to students. Inconvenient facts, says Waters, are facts that are inconvenient for the student's political party's opinion, often contradicting the student's assumptions about a potent political issue.

Professor Verba describes techniques for teaching controversial American political issues that promote enlightenment, rather than indoctrination. During the process of teaching a course on citizen participation, public opinion, abortion, and affirmative action, Professor Verba looks at how public opinion is converted to public policy.