Overview: Week 3

Overview:

This week, we go over Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections

Objectives:

After reading the text and attending lecture, student will be able to:
  1. Define public opinion and political socialization
  2. Explain the process and role of political socialization in the U.S. political system
  3. Compare the ways in which citizens learn political information
  4. Explain how beliefs and ideology affect the formation of public opinion
  5. Explain how information about public opinion is gathered
  6. Identify common ways to measure and quantify public opinion
  7. Explain why Americans hold a variety of views about politics, policy issues, and political institutions
  8. Identify factors that change public opinion
  9. Explain the circumstances that lead to public opinion affecting policy
  10. Compare the effects of public opinion on government branches and figures
  11. Identify ways the U.S. government has promoted voter rights and registration
  12. Summarize similarities and differences in states’ voter registration methods
  13. Analyze ways states increase voter registration and decrease fraud
  14. Identify factors that motivate registered voters to vote
  15. Discuss circumstances that prevent citizens from voting
  16. Analyze reasons for low voter turnout in the United States
  17. Describe the stages in the election process
  18. Compare the primary and caucus systems
  19. Summarize how primary election returns lead to the nomination of the party candidates
  20. Compare campaign methods for elections
  21. Analyze the factors that typically affect a voter’s decision
  22. Identify the different forms of and reasons for direct democracy
  23. Explain why some policies are made by elected representatives and others by voters

 

Summary of Week 1:
  1. Review Powerpoints
  2. Read chapters 6 and 7 of the GOVT 2305 Textbook
  3. Complete Discussion board post #3 by Sunday midnight
  4. Complete Quiz #3 by Sunday midnight
  5. Listen to Audio clip of Highlights (If needed)

 

Audio Clips

These audio clips are meant to help you understand what is important for this week. These clips do not replace the powerpoint or textbook. You are still expected to review the powerpoints and read the textbook. But I know it helped me knowing what my professor considered to be more important while I was a student. So please listen to the audio clips if you need it but if not then review the powerpoints and reading the chapters will be fine! Good luck with the quiz and homework for the week!