UNIT II SYLLABUS

Political Beliefs and Behaviors

September 18 – October 14

Day 1: Debrief Unit I

• Debrief Unit I test

• Discuss preferences/techniques for note-taking and study

• Debrief essays

Homework: Wilson pp. 77-87

Chapter 4 questions due day 4

Day 2: Meaning and Characteristics of American Political Culture

• Elements of American political culture

• Comparison with other nations

• Role of religion

Homework: Questions from “One Nation, Slightly Divisible” and Wilson pp. 87-90

Day 3: Political Culture in Prince George's County

• Discussion of Brook's thesis

• Informal analysis of Prince George's County

Homework: Wilson pp. 90-96

Chapter 4 questions due day 4

Day 4: Political Culture: Sources, Efficacy and Tolerance

• Historical roots

• Legal-sociological factors

• Mistrust of government

• Political tolerance

Introduction to Personal Political Profile (Mr. Bernstein may be out tomorrow)

Homework: Wilson pp. 103-115

Chapter 5 notes due day 9

Day 5: Political Socialization

• What is public opinion

• How do opinions develop?

• Cleavages

NOTE: if Mr. B. not here, this will be student led discussion/exploration

I may need volunteers to meet with me to be prepared to run class

Homework: Begin Personal Political Profile (P3) Journal, checked on day 11

Day 6: Evaluating Interest in Politics Using Statistical Analysis pt 1

• Computer simulation, using Microcase Explorit, exercise 3

Day 7: Evaluating Interest in Politics Using Statistical Analysis pt 2

• Computer simulation, using Microcase Explorit, exercise 3

• Check of P3 journals

Homework: Wilson pp. 116-125

Chapter 5 notes due day 9

Day 8: Public Opinion Polling

• Conditions for public opinion polling

• Moral and political effects of polling

• Bias in political polling

Homework: Analysis of current public opinion polls due day 10

Day 9: Ideology - Mr. B. will be out – student led discussion/exploration

• Identifying ideologies

• Consistency

• Political Elites

Homework: Questions on excerpt from Politicians Don't Pander

Day 10: Public Opinion and Political Socialization Pt 1

• Computer simulation, using Microcase Explorit, exercise 6

Day 11: Public Opinion and Political Socialization Pt 2

• Computer simulation, using Microcase Explorit, exercise 6

• Check of PPP Journal

Homework: Wilson, pp. 131-140

Chapter 6 notes due day 17

Day 12: Popular Participation in Elections

• Rise of the American electorate

• Voter turnout

• How can voter turnout be increased?

• Voting in Maryland

Day 13: Political Participation Pt. 1

• Computer simulation using Microcase Explorit, exercise 8

Homework: Wilson pp. 140-147

Chapter 6 notes due day 17

Day 14: Political Participation Pt. 2

• Computer simulation using Microcase Explorit, exercise 8

Day 15: Political Participation and Voting

• Who participates?

• Why and how do they participate?

Day 16: Review for test

Day 17: Test