1. Public Opinion and Political Action- Chapter 6
Standard: Political Beliefs and Behaviors
EQ- Who are Americans? (What are the demographics of America? What impact do these demographics have on American politics?)
Agenda- 1. Intro Activity- US Racial Demographics; 2. Notes, 3. Discuss
Homework: Read, Notes, Vocabulary

2. EQ- What are the demographics of America?
On a piece of paper, write down your best estimate of the percentage of the US Population that is: Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American. (2 mins)
In table groups, compare and discuss your estimates. Come up with a “table estimate” for each. (5 mins)
Create a quick pie graph of your estimates. (5 mins)
Be prepared to share this with the class.
EQ- What are the demographics of America?

3. On your paper, answer the following:
How do the actual US demographics compare to your estimates?
What is your reaction to these figures?
What are some possible things that could account for the differences between your perception and the reality?

4. Demography- the science of human populations; one way of looking at the American public
Census- a population count
done every 10 years
Required by the US Constitution
First conducted in 1790; most recently in 2010
Costs several billions of dollars to carry out
This data is used to shape public policies, allocation of billions of dollars to citizens
The US Census

5. http://www. youtube. com/watch
Census Commercials

6. 1. How people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?
2. Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in Question 1?
3. In this house, apartment, or mobile home: owned with mortgage, owned without mortgage, rented, occupied without rent?
4. What is your telephone number?
5. Please provide the following information on the people who live here. The person who owns or rents will be person 1. What is person 1’s name?
6. What is Person 1’s sex?
7. What is Person 1’s age and date of birth?
8. Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?
9. What is Person 1’s race?
10. Does Person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else?
The Ten Questions

8. All Americans except for Native Americans are immigrants or descendants of immigrants
800,000 new immigrants legally admitted each year
Three Waves:
Prior to late 19th century: NW Europeans
Late 19th-early 20th: Southern and Eastern Europe <Ellis Island>
Recent decades- Hispanics and Asians
2000 census- 11% of US Population were recent immigrants
Immigration

9. Melting Pot Melting Pot- mixture of cultures, ideas, and peoples
Majority Minority- America will cease to have a white, Anglo-Saxon majority
By 2050, Whites=48% of population
Melting Pot

10. Complete the People Count Assignment Posted on the course website.
Your Census