This text presents high school students with up-to-date findings of social scientists about political behavior in order to increase their political knowledge and sophistication. Case studies which describe the various political activities of typical citizens and political leaders are used throughout the work. Simulations, games, political attitude surveys, and data-processing activities are other strategies used in this one year course. Each of the lessons is designed to teach the skills of using evidence and logic to substantiate factual claims and rationally consider value claims. The book is divided into five units: 1) Introduction to the Study of Political Behavior; 2) Similarities and Differences in Political Behavior; 3) Elections and the Behavior of Voters; 4) Political Decision-Makers and 5) Unofficial Political Specialists. The material is structured so that Units 1, 2, and 3, or Units 4 and 5 can be used as one-semester courses. ED 064 206 is the Teacher's Guide. (FDI)