NPP eBooks

NPP eBooks is part of the publishing arm of Kansas State University Libraries. NPP invites queries or manuscripts proposals for our ebooks publishing program. In addition to scholarly works, we publish Special Publications and alternative textbooks.

Authors or editors should review the Permission to Publish and Distribute Agreement. And contact us at npp@ksu.edu to discuss your publishing needs.

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Soils Laboratory Manual, K-State Edition

Colby J. Moorberg and David A. Crouse

The Soils Laboratory Manual, K-State Edition is designed for students in undergraduate, introductory soil science courses, and highlights the many aspects of soil science, including: soil genesis and classification, soil physical properties, soil-water interaction, soil biology, soil chemistry, and soil fertility. The lab manual includes 15 different laboratories, each one starting with an introduction and pre-lab assignment, followed by in-lab activities, and complimented by post-lab assignment. In-lab activities involve field trips, experiments, observation stations, or problem sets. Post-lab assignments include online quizzes, problem sets, or laboratory summary reports.

The Soils ... Read More

Soils Laboratory Manual: K-State Edition, Version 2.0

Colby J. Moorberg and David A. Crouse

The Soils Laboratory Manual, K-State Edition is designed for students in undergraduate, introductory soil science courses. The manual highlights the multidisciplinary aspects of soil science with laboratories focused on soil formation, classification, and mapping; soil physics, soil biology; soil chemistry; and soil fertility and management. The lab manual includes 16 different laboratories, each one starting with an introduction and pre-lab assignment, followed by in-lab activities, and complimented by a post-lab assignment. In-lab activities involve field trips, experiments, observation stations, or problem sets. Post-lab assignments include online quizzes, problem sets, or ... Read More

Special Education in Secondary Schools

Mickey Losinski

This textbook provides information on the practice of teaching special education in the secondary schools. Research-based practices are explained for supporting student functioning in language arts, math, and other content areas. Specifically, the eight chapters address: (1) Introduction to secondary special education; (2) Curriculum-based measures to inform learning; (3) Strategies for working in a co-teaching environment; (4) Strategies for improving student behavior; (5) Strategies to support post-secondary transition; (6) Strategies for improving student outcomes in reading; (7) Strategies improving student outcomes in writing; and (8) Strategies for improving student outcomes ... Read More

Studying the Bible: The Tanakh and Early Christian Writings

Gregory Eiselein, Anna Goins, and Naomi J. Wood

Studying the Bible: The Tanakh and Early Christian Writings is a university-level, textbook introduction to the study of the Bible, its literary forms, and historical and cultural contexts. This textbook is a companion to the Bible courses taught in the English Department at Kansas State University, in particular ENGL 470 The Bible, though it is available for use in other courses and contexts. This textbook examines the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Tanakh) and the early Christian writings of the New Testament. It is an introduction to the analysis ... Read More

Teaching Low Brass

Steven Maxwell

The purpose of this textbook is to provide resourses about teaching low brass instruments to music educators and future music educators. The book was developed by the author as part of the open/alternative textbook initiative at Kansas State University. It Is the textbook used for the Kansas State University course Music 239-Low Brass Techniques and Materials.

The textbook focuses on two areas: basic information including pedagogical material for teaching low brass students and low brass etudes. The information is divided into several categories including brass history, the overtone series, general ... Read More

The Art of Being Human: A Textbook for Cultural Anthropology

Michael Wesch

Anthropology is the study of all humans in all times in all places. But it is so much more than that. “Anthropology requires strength, valor, and courage,” Nancy Scheper-Hughes noted. “Pierre Bourdieu called anthropology a combat sport, an extreme sport as well as a tough and rigorous discipline. … It teaches students not to be afraid of getting one’s hands dirty, to get down in the dirt, and to commit yourself, body and mind. Susan Sontag called anthropology a “heroic” profession.” What is the payoff for this heroic journey? You ... Read More

The Economics of Food and Agricultural Markets

Andrew Barkley

The Second Edition of Economics of Food and Agricultural Markets is written for applied intermediate microeconomics courses. The book showcases the power of economic principles to explain and predict issues and current events in the food, agricultural, agribusiness, international trade, labor markets, and natural resource sectors. The field of agricultural economics is relevant, important and interesting. The study of market structures, also called industrial organization, provides powerful, timely, and useful tools for any individual or group making personal choices, business decisions, or public policies in food and agricultural industries.

Readers ... Read More

The Finney County, Kansas Community Assessment Process: Fact Book

Debra J. Bolton PhD and Shannon L. Dick M.S.

This multi-lingual/multi-cultural study was called, Community Assets Processt, by the groups that “commissioned” it: Finnup Foundation, Finney County K-State Research & Extension, Western Kansas Community Foundation, Finney County United Way, Finney County Health Department, United Methodist Community Health Center (UMMAM), Center for Children and Families, Garden City Recreation Commission, and the Garden City Cultural Relations Board, because we intend for this to be an ongoing discussion.

An objective, for those promoting the study, was to connect foundation, state, and federal funding with activities or services that addressed the true needs ... Read More

Triptych

Joshua Broadway, Bob Condia, Frederik Heuser, Lindsey Leardi, Kelsey Middelkamp, Joshua Ralls, and Lucille Sadlon

Our desire is for this publication to be at the intersection of architecture and neuroscience; where the convergence of architecture (the art of building) and neuroscience (the biology of the brain) is aesthetic experience.

The biology of the brain returns architecture to a biological foundation of mood and atmosphere. As architecture students, the more we learn about architecture in terms of a sensory experience, the better we can design. Just as we learn architecture by doing it, flickering between theory and practice, by dancing between thinking and feeling, so can ... Read More

Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Cyber Domain

Randall K. Nichols, Hans C. Mumm, Wayne D. Lonstein, Julie J.C.H. Ryan, Candice Carter, and John-Paul Hood

Unmanned Aircraft Systems are an integral part of the US national critical infrastructure. The authors have endeavored to bring a breadth and quality of information to the reader that is unparalleled in the unclassified sphere. This textbook will fully immerse and engage the reader / student in the cyber-security considerations of this rapidly emerging technology that we know as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The first edition topics covered National Airspace (NAS) policy issues, information security (INFOSEC), UAS vulnerabilities in key systems (Sense and Avoid / SCADA), navigation and collision avoidance ... Read More

Unmanned Vehicle Systems & Operations on Air, Sea, Land

Randall K. Nichols, Hans. C. Mumm, Wayne D. Lonstein, Julie J.C.H Ryan, Candice M. Carter, John-Paul Hood, Jeremy S. Shay, Randall W. Mai, and Mark J. Jackson

Unmanned Vehicle Systems & Operations On Air, Sea, Land is our fourth textbook in a series covering the world of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS). (Nichols R. K., 2018) (Nichols R. K., et al., 2019) (Nichols R. , et al., 2020)The authors have expanded their purview beyond UAS / CUAS systems. Our title shows our concern for growth and unique cyber security unmanned vehicle technology and operations for unmanned vehicles in all theaters: Air, Sea and Land – especially maritime cybersecurity and China proliferation issues. ... Read More

Vocal Techniques for the Instrumentalist

Amy Rosine

Vocal Techniques, the course title used at many institutions, is essentially a voice class for instrumentalists, and is a required course for instrumental music education majors seeking all-level certification. Students take at least one Vocal Techniques course to learn proper singing technique along with basic pedagogy and can include teaching techniques as they apply to adolescent singers. The focus of the course is the development of the individual singing voice. This includes breathing, tone production, articulation, musicality and textual expression and understanding. Students also develop confidence in front of groups, ... Read More

Vocal Techniques for the Instrumentalist 2nd Edition

Amy Rosine

Vocal Techniques, the course title used at many institutions, is essentially a voice class for instrumentalists, and is often a required course for instrumental music education majors seeking all-level certification. Students take at least one Vocal Techniques course to learn proper singing technique along with basic pedagogy. Some courses include teaching techniques as they apply to adolescent singers. The focus of the course is the development of the individual singing voice. This includes breathing, tone production, articulation, musicality and textual expression and understanding. Students also develop confidence in front of ... Read More

Workplace Writing: A Handbook for Common Workplace Genres and Professional Writing

Anna Goins, Cheryl Rauh, Danielle Tarner, and Daniel Von Holten

This handbook is designed for a generalized business writing course that seeks to meet the needs of a variety of student majors and career interests. In it you will find: descriptions and discussions of common genres, both routine and formal, print and electronic, and in-class activities and sample assignments. You will also find commentary on how to adapt the writing process to the rhetorical constraints of a workplace as well as how to think about, conduct, and use research outside an academic setting. Throughout you will note a persistent emphasis ... Read More

Your Journey to First-Year Success: A K-State First Companion Textbook

Brent Weaver, Mandi McKinley, Reagan Swank, Cydney Alexis, Tara Coleman, Jaime DeTour, Jessica Preston Kerr, Cheryl Rauh, R J. Youngblood, and Mariya Vaughan

This textbook companion is a resource to help students successfully navigate through their first year at Kansas State University. It serves as part of the K-State First mission to create an outstanding university experience for every first-year student by helping with the transition to college-level learning and college life. The textbook helps improve chances for student success by focusing on fostering campus community, offering resources for diverse activities, highlighting academic expectations, and empowering students with personal responsibility and social agency. Instructors are encouraged to use the textbook in their K-State ... Read More