Communications Discussion Questions

Do most of us really know what each of the main party’s platform says or where each main party stands on the issues?  What about minor/3rd/independent parties?  Where do you side politically and how did you get those viewpoints?  It is time to find out.

The Questions :There are 3 steps below

1st step, answer the following: 

Define political socialization and explain how it impacts one’s political belief and values.

Include a discussion of what influenced you politically (examples may be family, parents, peers, teacher/school, event, where you grew up, etc.).

Do you have friends or family that hold the opposite beliefs from you?  If not, why not? 

Do you have debates with this person(s), or do you only talk to people who agree with you?  If so, why?

2nd step, answer the following: 

Now take the I Side With Quiz (Links to an external site.).  Even if you are pretty sure of who you side with, it is fun (and required) to take because it will give you percentages of how much you agree with each party on certain issues and tell you which candidate is your best match.  No one is 100% anything.

Analyze and explain in your paper your top 2 results. Did the top 2 results surprise you and why or why not? 

• Analyze and explain your bottom result. Did this result surprise you and why or why not?
• Connect these results with the concept of political socialization from step one. For example, based on your answer to step one, did your results make sense or do you feel you learned something more about where you stand by analyzing the party issues in more depth?
• Why is important to research the parties, candidates, issues, etc?
• Step 3, answer the following: 

Pew research indicated that two thirds of U.S. adults say they have seen the news sources they look at, report facts that are biased and lack fact checking.  They also show that both Democrats and Republicans each expect fake news to target their own parties.  That seems like a problem for us all.  For the last section of your paper review the articles and answer the questions below:

Pew Article: 2/3 of U.S. Adults Say They’ve Seen Their Own News Sources Report Facts Meant to Favor One Side (Links to an external site.)

Pew Article: Democrats and Republicans Each Expect Made Up News To Target Their Own Party More Than the Other (Links to an external site.)

Discuss how you believe news and social media have impacted how you view political parties and your vote.

What type of reporting or information would you like to see to help you as a voter choose a candidate, or party, or evaluate the issues?

Should there be standards or accountability for news and social media outlets in reporting on politics and government?  Who should set these standards, companies, state government, federal government and why?

NOTE:  You will need to include all 3 steps and answers to all of the questions above

The rules:  Remember, this needs to be at least one and a half pages of solid,.   papers  should be at least 2 pages.  Have some fun with it.  No cussing or slang, use proper grammar and proof-read before sending, use the spell-checker, do not end a sentence with a question mark (you are supposed to answer questions, not ask them), etc. 

Do not put a heading at the top of your paper, as it does not count towards your page minimum.    If you have a title you want to put up there then please do, but then start writing.

must be double-spaced, with normal margins and a 12-point font. 

Part 2:

First, you need to take the literacy test: Louisiana Literacy Test of 1964. (Links to an external site.) Accessible word document of 1964 test available  Download Accessible word document of 1964 test available.  Seriously, please take it. Be honest. This is an ACTUAL literacy test that was used in Louisiana in 1964. When you take it, set a timer on your phone for 10 minutes. You had only 10 minutes to take it and to pass it, you had to get ALL of the questions correct.

• Let’s see what you think!
• The Questions:
• After taking the literacy test and watching the video, please answer the following questions.
• 1. How did you feel when taking the test?

2. Do you think that test proved you were literate or was it just another way to stop certain people from voting?

3. Which question bothered you the most and why?

4. Did this exercise change how you feel about voting? Why or why not?

5.  Voter turnout is typically low.  How can we increase voter participation?  Give at least 2 examples.

6.  There has been a lot of concern and discussion surrounding secure elections.  How do you feel about voter ID’s, mail in voting, and online voting?