Scandal!

Dr. Alison Dagnes is Professor of Political Science at Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania, US. She studies and frequently speaks on the topic of the modern political media and political behavior. Prior to receiving her doctorate in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Dr. Dagnes was a producer for C-SPAN in Washington, DC.Mark Sachleben is an Associate Professor of political science at Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania, US. He teaches classes in international relations, comparative politics, global governance and human rights. Dr. Sachleben received his PhD from Miami University (Ohio) in 2003.

• ContributorsIntroduction by Alison DagnesSection I: Congress Preface by Lara Brown, Jeff Gulati, Doug Harris and Scott BasingerChapter 1: Sack the Quarterback by Doug Harris Chapter 2: Spending More Time with My Family: Scandals and Premature Departures from the House by Lara Brown & Jeff Gulati Chapter 3: The Electoral Effects of Congressional Scandals by Scott Basinger Section II: Historical Accounts, Modern Implications Introduction by Mark SachlebenChapter 4: Tom Clark Under Fire by Craig Smith Chapter 5: Sherman Adams’ Fall, and the Scandal Behind the Scandal by Michael Birkner Chapter 6: The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same by George Hale Chapter 7: Sex, Scandal and Catholic Politics during Italy's Dolce Vita by Roy DomenicoSection II Conclusions: Paralleling History: Scandal and the Lessons of the 2012 Election by Neal Allen Section III: Shaping the Perceptions of Scandal Introduction by Stephanie JirardChapter 8: Scandal and the Politics of Race by Neal AllenChapter 9: He Can’t Say with Certitude” by Joan Conners Chapter 10: Shattered Dignity: The Apologia of John Edwards by Misty Knight ConclusionsIndex

Scandal! is an engaging, serious, and effective collection of essays that is appropriate for any level of political science class. This is not a book about scandals, but a group of scholars using scandals as a lens to examine mainstream American politics. The central theme that some might dismiss as peculiar or salacious is its greatest strength, for the use of popular subjects to show the complexities of American politics is clearly designed for a student population that increasingly rejects traditional academic monographs. Scandal! has many divisions (including theme, methodology, and time) so it can be used in the classroom in many different ways. Its lively subject matter is designed for instructors who want to engage their students in discussion, and it also provides a broad introduction to the field of political science.