The Basics of American Government 3E

About the Authors

Maria J. Albo: Textbook and Web Content Contributor

Ms. Albo earned a B.S. in sociology at Georgia State University and an M.P.A. degree at North Georgia College & State University, now known as the University of North Georgia (UNG). She is a senior lecturer of political science at UNG and currently teaches “American Government,” “Introduction to Political Science,” and “Introduction to Social Science Research Methods.” She has earned several awards including the UNG Teaching Excellence Award in 2015, and was the UNG nominee for the Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award for Online Teaching in 2017. She has published several articles in peer-reviewed publications which address public-policy issues. Before entering her second career, Ms. Albo was for seven years a special projects coordinator in a boutique commercial real-estate development firm, specializing in planning, zoning, and land use.

Ross C. Alexander: Contributor

Dr. Alexander, earned a Ph.D. in Political Science with majors in public administration and American politics, and a minor in political theory, from Northern Illinois University, in addition to an MPA from Arizona State University. He currently serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of North Alabama, where he also holds the position of Professor of Political Science. He previously held a number of academic and administrative positions at Indiana University East, including Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate & Continuing Education, and Professor of Political Science. Prior to IU East, Dr. Alexander was a faculty member and administrator at the University of North Georgia for many years. A university faculty member since 1999, Dr. Alexander has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, chapters, and books in the areas of state and local government, American politics, public budgeting and finance, gambling policy, information literacy, general education, and online teaching and learning.

Carl D. Cavalli: Editor, contributor

Dr. Cavalli, professor of political science, earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with specializations in American politics, comparative politics, and political theory. He has published several peer-reviewed articles on the presidency along with a book on presidential-congressional relations, authored several chapters for the Georgia eCore® online American government course, and written several episodes for the Georgia Globe American government video course. Dr. Cavalli currently teaches courses on the Presidency, Congress, Legislative Process, Political Parties and Elections, congressional and presidential elections, and American Government, which he has been teaching for over 30 years. Dr. Cavalli is an expert in the field of American politics.

Barry D. Friedman: Contributor

Dr. Friedman, professor of political science, is a graduate of the University of Connecticut where he earned M.B.A. and M.P.A. degrees and a Ph.D. degree in political science with concentrations in public administration, American politics, and public policy. He has authored numerous books and articles in the fields of federal regulation, nonprofit administration, and public policy. Dr. Friedman teaches courses on the topics of public and nonprofit management, public policy analysis, political socialization, ethics, and research in political science, American political theory, and American government. He has been teaching courses in American government for 30 years.

Craig Greathouse: Contributor

Dr. Greathouse, professor of political science, earned a Ph.D. in political science with specialties in international relations and comparative politics from Claremont Graduate University in addition to an M.A. and B.A. in Political Science from the University of Akron. Dr. Greathouse has published peer-reviewed journal articles addressing European foreign policy, American strategic culture, and cyber war. His teaching experience includes the following courses: Introduction to the European Union, International Political Economy, International Relations Theory, Global Issues, International Security, European security, National Security Policy, and American Government.

Jonathan Miner: Contributor

Dr. Miner, associate professor of political science, possesses a Ph.D. in international studies with specializations in foreign policy, international law and organizations, and comparative politics from the University of South Carolina in addition to an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Iowa and J.D. from Drake University. His publications focus on foreign policy and Middle Eastern politics. Courses Dr. Miner teaches include International Law, Foreign Policy Process, Global Issues, Middle East Politics, and Research Methods.

Brian M. Murphy: Contributor

Dr. Murphy received M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in political science from Miami University. Prior to his current position as Dean of the College of Liberal & Applied Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University, he was Co-Director of the European Union Center for the University System of Georgia, which was housed at Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as professor of political science at North Georgia College & State University. His administrative positions at North Georgia included head of the Department of Political Science & Criminal Justice, Director of the Honors Program, Coordinator of International Programs, and Associate in the Office of Academic Affairs. From 1997-2007, Dr. Murphy directed the University System of Georgia’s program on European Union Studies. In 1998, he was appointed General Secretary of the Transatlantic Information Exchange Service, a program launched by the European Commission and United States Information Agency. In 2006, Dr. Murphy was appointed to a strategic planning committee for the University System of Georgia to prepare higher education in the state to leverage competition in the global economy. Dr. Murphy continues to serve as a Senior Fellow at the Southern Center for International Studies.

K. Michael Reese: Contributor

Dr. Reese, retired professor of criminal justice, possesses a J.D. from the University of Alabama, an LL.M. from Emory University, and a Ph.D. from Georgia State University. Dr. Reese practiced law in both the public and private sectors for a number of years before forging a career in higher education. At North Georgia, he taught courses in Criminal Law, Constitutional Rights, and Evidence. Dr. Reese has published several journal articles, dealing primarily with civil liberties, criminal law and procedures, and Native American law.

Charles H. "Trey" Wilson, III: Contributor

Dr. Wilson, associate professor of political science, earned a Ph.D. in social science education from the University of Georgia, in addition to an M.A. in history from the University of Georgia; an M.S. in the History of Technology from the Georgia Institute of Technology; an M.P.A. from North Georgia College & State University; and a J.D. from the University of Toledo. Dr. Wilson teaches courses in public law (including Judicial Processes, Civil Liberties, and Constitutional Law) and American Government (including Honors American Government). He has also taught many sections of both world and American history in his 13 years as a college educator. Dr. Wilson has published one book, The History of Brenau University, 1878 – 2012 (Teneo Press, 2014), which won the 2015 “Award for Excellence in Documenting Georgia’s History” from the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council. He has also published several journal articles and book chapters dealing with his primary research interests, which are early American legal history and the history of higher education.