Unit II: Political Beliefs, Behaviors, & Elections

Unit I: Beliefs, Behaviors & Mass Media Free Response Options

1. To call ourselves ‘Americans’ means at the very least that we identify ourselves as a part of a common political culture of shared democratic values. But we also celebrate our identity as individuals who, through a life-long process of socialization, develop our own unique political ideology.

a.) Define ‘political socialization’ and list four common factors of socialization that contribute to a typical American’s emerging ideology. b.) Draw and label the grid commonly used to identify and measure political ideologies. c.) According to your grid in (b.), define the terms liberal and conservative, and identify ONE policy preference as an example for each.

2. Over the course of the last century, public opinion has become increasingly important in shaping the American political landscape. Modern scientific polling is more than merely a reflection on the public mood. It has evolved into a multi-billion dollar business and become an indispensible tool (or weapon) for policymakers, political parties, interest groups, and the public at large.

a.) Identify two characteristics of a valid, scientific, public opinion poll. b.) Explain why public opinion polling has the capacity to enhance AND undermine public participation in the political process. c.) Discuss an example of a public opinion poll that produced inaccurate results by intentional or accidental means.

3. "The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure." Thomas Jefferson wrote these words in 1823 to underscore the idea that a free press is the life-blood of democracy. Centuries later our society, culture, and mass media have evolved toward such great complexity that critics debate whether our modern press is enhancing or undermining our democratic way of life.

a.) Explain any TWO reasons why a “free press” is a vital cornerstone to a free and democratic society. b.) Explain any TWO characteristics of the modern mass media that enhance our democratic society according to your explanation in (a). c.) Explain any TWO characteristics of the modern mass media that undermine our democratic society according to your explanation in (a).

4. Great thinkers in the American political tradition have often cited the “free press” as the single most important safeguard of liberty. But over the course of the last two centuries the tools of the mass media have greatly evolved technologically, leaving many social critics to question whether our “free press” still serves American society as it once did. a.) Describe any THREE traditional roles/functions that mass media performs in any free society. b.) Discuss the degree to which developments in technology have enhanced or undermined the media’s capacity to serve our society in any TWO of these traditional functions described in (a). 5. Although the basic functions of the mass media are no different today than they were at the birth of the republic, significant developments occurred during the 20th Century that forever changed the relationship between mass media and American politics.

a.) Explain any TWO traditional roles/functions that mass media performs in modern America. b.) Identify any THREE historical developments in mass media below and explain their impact on American politics. . FDR’s fireside chats . Kennedy-Nixon televised debate of 1960 . The Watergate scandal . Ronald Reagan’s presidency . Barack Obama and the Internet (and related technologies)

6. Among the many things modern presidents learn from past presidents, one of the more important is the skill of utilizing the mass media to shape their public image. Presidents of the 21st century (surrounded by media consultants, pollsters, web designers, and strategists) have proven especially skilled at crafting the image of the presidency. But their relationship with the mass media is a delicate one, and the results of media events are not 100% predictable – particularly when the media plays the role of the watchdog.

a.) Explain how any ONE of the images above is a good example of a “media event.” b.) Describe one way in which an event of this kind might backfire in the hands of the mass media or public discussion. c.) Provide one example of technological tool (other than television) that 21st century presidents utilize to help them shape their public image. d.) Identify the trend of “soundbites” in the modern mass media and explain how this trend might help AND hinder a president’s efforts to craft his public image.

7. As a population the United States is experiencing a number of significant changes that promise to change the lives of ordinary citizens and alter the American political landscape.

a.) Identify any THREE population trends in the United States. b.) Define demography and explain the process by which demographers collect the data that reveals U.S. population trends. c.) Explain any ONE political consequence for each of the three trends identified in (a)