Sources of the West presents a well-balanced selection of constitutional documents, political theory, philosophy, imaginative literature, and social description to raise significant issues for classroom discussions or lectures. By reading the voices of the past, students can connect them to the present; learn to understand and respect other cultures; and think critically about history. An introductory essay, "How to Read a Document," explains the types and levels of questions students need to ask and answer to understand, interpret, and analyze each selection.