Midterm Review Blog (available though 2/6)

This week please use the blog to review for the exam. This will be the only blog until the exam. Feel free to post general or specific questions or thoughts and then respond to each others posts. You do not need to write anything more than brief blog entries but I strongly encourage you to check into the blog regularly to look for questions and to help share ideas to review for the exam. The more entries that each of you adds the better for everyone. Make sure to review other entries so that you have correct concepts before the exam.

Also If you are interested in downloading a version of the review sheet you can find it on the course website here: 

A couple of hints:

1. Use the review sheet (but don't psych yourself out) it is supposed to help you.
2. Make sure that you have core concepts for each of the sections down, think about how each are connected in the broader American political system, as you begin to connect those large concepts work to include other ideas/details/identifications connected to those core ideas.
3. Try to connect each area to one another (i.e. Political Parties to Interest Groups).
4. Make sure to review readings and class notes.

For Class on 1/30: Political Parties and Interest Groups

Political parties and interest groups each try to shape the nature of political power in America. We want to take a look at both this blog in order to compare their goals and strategies.

Political Parties have changed dramatically since the development of the Federalist party directly following the ratification of the Constitution. While third parties have existed for most of American history our political system has been primarily dominated by two parties at a time creating the "two party system." Today's Democrats and Republicans (GOP) are very different from members of their respective parties from generations past, and their goals and make up changes based on their political and electoral goals and the changing times. Take a look at each national party website to get a sense of how they are presenting themselves today.

Republican Party Webpage
Democratic Party Webpage
(note that you do not need to add your e mail to enter either party webpage, you can skip it and go to the main page)

Interest groups, on the other hand, come in all shapes and sizes. They may organize around particular groups of people, businesses or institutions, or groups organized around supporting certain issues. These groups attempt to influence the government by utilizing most of the forms of political participation that we discussed earlier in the quarter. Just to get a sense of some examples of interest groups which are very active in American Politics today that a look at these sites (check out the "about us" sections if you aren't familiar with these organizations):

AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons)
AIPAC
NRA (National Rifle Association)
Moveon.org
The Christian Coalition
The Sierra Club

As you evaluate the various methods of political involvement and different strategies to influence American politics you may want to address the following questions:

• Which party/interest group seems to be offering a more effective online strategy for gaining and organizing supporters? Why? What could they do better?
• What do you think is the most effective strategy to achieve political goals: political parties, interest groups? Why? 

Just a reminder that this should become an online dialogue, not simply a series of responses to the question.

For Class on 1/23: Participation, the 2008 election and a preview of 2012

This week we are starting to look at political behavior, which includes many of the ways that citizens actively or passively interact with their government. The most obvious form of political participation is voting, although, as you will read, it is far from the only form of participation

First let's look at how the overall voter turnout in 2008 compares to other presidential elections since 1948. I suggest reading along the side to understand the difference between the Voting Age Population (VAP), and the Voting Eligible Population (VEP). You can get more detailed state by state information at the bottom of that page or by clicking here, Can you guess which state had the highest voter turnout?

Next lets look at how various groups across the nation voted. The most accurate measures of this come from exit polls taken from people who just left the voting booth. Some different looks at this are available here, or here.

Finally let's take a look at the voting turnout and breakdown in 2012 to see what changed since 2008 and what has stayed the same.

After looking at this information what do you think it suggests about what people were looking for in November 2012? Do you think that the government is responding to the goals, wishes, or needs of the people today?

For Class on 1/16: Important Political Issues

For the blog this week we are going to take a step back from the class reading and look at the major issues that have dominated recent political headlines. The President and Congress have many issues that they are dealing with along with gearing up for new Congressional terms which just started and Obama's second term , which officially starts on Jan. 20. I am interested to find out what you think is important to address and, by extension, how you think the government is dealing with these issues.

Start by taking a survey similar to those conducted by polling companies and news organizations regarding what issues are most important to you. you can find the survey here.

Next take a look at how your responses and the responses of your classmates compare to national polls here

Then please post a comment describing your reactions, and reactions to your classmates comments. You can use any or all of the following prompts as a starting point if you wish.

1. Choose one of the items you listed as extremely important and explain why.
2. Choose one of the items you thought was less important and explain why.
3. Draw connections between these issues, the roll of the national government and the issues of trust, knowledge, and efficacy discussed last week.

For Class on 1/9: American Political Culture

This course will focus primarily on the American political system and how it affects us as citizens (and hopefully how we can affect it as well). Part of our reading this week discussed the incredibly low level of political knowledge held by most Americans. That is something we will try to change this quarter. Regardless of how much you know about our government or how much you trust it, it impacts you every day in many ways. As illustrated in Box 1.1 (pg. 7)  the government plays a large role in your life. For this first blog I would like you to discuss any or all of these issues. Two questions that you might want to answer:

1. Although the government impacts us each and every day, most Americans don't know much about it or don't care. Why do you think that is the case?
2. How do you feel knowing that the government plays such a huge role in your life? Safe? Secure? Nervous? Vulnerable?

Remember: Your answers should be approximately one long or two short paragraphs and no more (around 150 words). No research is necessary but think carefully about what you want to write and respond to the ideas presented on the blog, not the people. Happy blogging!

Welcome!

Welcome to your poliblog experience! Each week you will be required to read the post for that week (which may include a news article, question, comment, controversial issue, etc.) and respond with your comments. Each of your comments should be no more than 1/2 page (approx. 1 long paragraph or two short paragraphs) and must be posted by 8:00 Tuesday night. You do not need to do any outside research in order to respond, just reflect on the topic of that week, the other comments posted on the blog and make an argument presenting your views. The goal is to create an online dialogue that we can then bring into class. You must post at least one comment on 6 different weeks (NOTE: you do not need to write a comment every week). But you MUST read the post and all comments either Tuesday night or Wednesday before class each week. Enjoy the world of the poliblog.