Groundwork guides

Exposes the roots of the gang problem in locations around the world, looks at the appeal of gangs, especially to the young and poor, and offers ideas for reforms.

Traces the development and use of tools from ancient civilizations through the technology-savvy twenty-first century, describing how tools have influenced human life.

Examines the design, rhetorical devices, and power inherent in different forms of news, from newspapers to the Internet, the radio, and television, covering the facts about who owns news venues, various ethical issues, and the role of investigative journalism amid war and an increase in newspaper circulations outside of the West.

Provides a critical exploration of assumptions about the law, and discusses law and order systems from throughout history to prompt readers to become more engaged in the accountability of law enforcement.

Argues that Western foreign policy has harmed Africa by taking more of its resources than it replaces through foreign aid. Suggests that, if the West is willing to overhaul its policies, new African leadership, citizen activism, and the recent involvement of China now position Africa to make positive changes.

Examines global warming, discussing what causes it, the future of the planet's climate, ways to prevent it, and other related topics.

Examines the development and characteristics of hip-hop, describing its inspiration from Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Jamaica, as well as its racial, multicultural, and multilingual influences.

An introduction to democracy that discusses the origins from the ancient Greeks and Romans through the twenty-first century, and explains how and why democracy thrives, the struggles of women and minorities to gain democratic rights, globalization and other threats, and more.

The author addresses a number of political, cultural, and religious issues associated with the Muslim faith.