The purpose of this assignment is for you to illustrate your understanding of how different “perspectives” – in this particular case political beliefs and attitudes – are based on peoples’ different experiences which are, in turn, affected by their social positions (age, race, sex, age, social class, educational background, geographical area).
This exercise will indicate where you fall in a political ideology typology developed by the Pew Research Center and have you think about the differences between the groups identified, the social factors that have affected others and your political stance, and the potential consequences that might follow when it comes to thinking about social problems.
Complete the Pew Research Center’s Political Typology Quiz. (Links to an external site.) After completing the quiz you will be placed in one of 9 different groups, given a brief description of the general beliefs and attitudes of those in your category and show how you compare to the general public.
You are to answer the following four questions, each with multiple parts. The first question, which is purely descriptive, is worth 10% of your grade. The second question, which involves more analysis, is worth 30% of your grade. The third question, by far the most important, is worth the remaining 40% of your grade. The fourth and last question is worth the remaining 20% of your grade. I suggest that you also refer to the "Tips for Writing Assignments" in the START HERE module.
1. Describe the typology group you have been placed in. Who did they support in the last presidential election? What are some of their social background characteristics? What positions do they typically take on key issues? Are your test results consistent with your self-identification? If not, how do you account for the differences? (10% of grade)
2. Next, you will explore the differences between the views of members of the various typology groups by clicking on "Dig Deeper and see How the Political Typology Groups Compare. (Links to an external site.)" First, click on "Demographics" which is located near the bottom of the column on the left-hand side of the page. Examine the data to explore how the various typological groups compare when it comes to gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, income, and party. What three statistical patterns seemed to fit well with your understanding of the political differences between these different categories of people? What three patterned differences surprised you – and tell me why? Next, choose two other categories that are listed – Race, Religion and Social Issues, Foreign Policy, Government, Views of U.S. & Economy, or Politics & Elections – and, using the pull-down menus attached to your choice, as before, tell me what three patterns seemed to fit well with your understanding of political differences and what three patterned differences surprised you – and tell me why? (30% of grade)
3. Third – and this is the most important part of your response – explain HOW each of the following "social factors" – parents, peers, social class, sex, age, race, education, geographical area – have affected your ideological perspective? Be certain to address each of these factors. (40% of grade)
[Please note that this third question doesn’t ask you "if" these factors have affected your political perspective – it is assumed that they do. The question is "how" has each made an impact on your political attitude/ideology.]
4. Fourth and last, now that you have seen and considered the “patterned” differences in the political ideology of citizens in the United States – that these different “perspectives” are based on peoples’ different experiences which are, in turn, affected by their social positions rather than their personality characteristics or lack of innate intelligence, how might this understanding lead to a more civil and fruitful political discussion of the political issues that divide us today? (20%)
Since the purpose of this assignment is for you to illustrate your understanding of how different “perspectives” are based on peoples’ different experiences which are, in turn, affected by their social positions I suggest that you include an introductory paragraph mentioning the key points that you learned about perspectives in Units 1A and 1B: that perspectives are, by their very nature incomplete, and thus partial, that they both facilitate and constrain one’s attention, etc. Then, nail down the main point of how one’s social backgrounds – and thus their experiences – affect what they see when looking at the world. And, as I mentioned before, I suggest that you also refer to the "Tips for Writing Assignments" that can be found in the START HERE module.
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