1. Warm-up: Political Socialization - Copy the definition/agents below, then write about a paragraph responding to the questions posed.
Political socialization refers to how most Americans learn about politics. The following factors all contribute to this process.
Agents of political socialization:
Family/home influences
Media
School
Group affiliations
(Interest groups, religious groups, etc.)
How has each of these factors affected your political socialization? Which is most influential or important? Consider how these factors have affected your level of political knowledge, or the types of issues you are interested in.

2. Census A tool for understanding our population. Taken every 10 years.
Last one: 2010.
Is it a requirement?
Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution
Federal law

3. Partner Discussion What are some impacts of the census?
Should Americans be required to participate? Why or why not? If so, how should it be enforced?
Other than population numbers, what other data is or should be measured, and why?
What may change about the census in the future, and how can we make it more accurate?

4. Types of Census Data (just FYI)
Origins and Languages
Ancestry
Place of birth
Citizenship
Year of entry
Language spoken at home
Disability and caregivers
Housing: Physical characteristics
Year structure built
Units in structure
Rooms
Bedrooms
Kitchen facilities
Telephone service available
Year moved in to unit
Farm unit
Housing: financial characteristics
Basic Facts
Age
Gender
Relationship/Marital Status
Race
Income and Employment
Income
Labor force status
Industry
Occupation
Work status last year
Veteran status
Transportation
Place of work
Journey to work
Vehicles available
Education
Enrollment and attainment

5. 2010 Census Data (just FYI) In Florida: Median age = 40.7
Average household size = 2.48 people
Among the state's occupied housing units, percent were owned, compared with percent that were rented.

6. Regional Shifts
House of Representatives was set at 435 members.
As population changes, Congress has to be reapportioned.
Happens after every census
If a state has 5% of the population
of the country, it receives 5% of
House seats

7. Political Culture
A set of basic beliefs/values that most citizens hold about a government and its legitimacy.
What do you think of the political culture in America right now?
What symbols might represent our political culture?

8. Measuring Public Opinion
Recently, poll-taking has increased in scope and importance
Results are often widely reported in the media

9. Public Opinion
The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues.
In a democracy, the government needs to gauge public opinion to determine the course of action it should take.
What side of the fence are people on?
How strongly do they feel that way?
Current example: DACA; Confederate memorials

10. Class Poll On average, how many hours of sleep do you get per night?
9-10
7-8
5-6
4 or less

12. Partner Discussion
Should we pay attention to polls? Why does public opinion matter (or not)?
How can polls be inaccurate or biased?
What are some ways that polls and the measuring of public opinion can help strengthen democracy?
What are some ways that polls and the measuring of public opinion can weaken democracy?

13. Limitations of Polls Agenda may reflect interest of the poll-taker
Set of issues covered may be very different from what’s on the mind of respondents
People’s answers often reflect what they hear from the media or politicians
Surveys don’t necessarily go into depth

14. In your notes, explain the significance of the following:
Random sample
Sampling error
Exit polls

15. Ideology
A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose.
Helps give meaning to political events, personalities, and policies.

16. Ideology vs. Political Party
Usually, conservatives align themselves with the Republican Party while liberals align themselves with the Democratic Party.
The ideology is the set of beliefs, while the party is the organization that allows like-minded people to work together to win elections.

17. Ideological Positions Discuss with your partner which ideology you think is mostly likely to agree with the following issues:
Position
Ideology
1. Support minimal government involvement with the economy
2. Support women’s choice when it comes to abortion
3. Support more stringent gun control measures
4. Support removing religious symbols from public spaces
5. Support more spending on defense
6. Support progressive tax system with a higher percentage of taxes placed on the wealthy
7. Support opportunities for vouchers for school choice
8. Support tightening of laws regarding immigration

18. Where can you find polling data?
Pew Research Center
Gallup
FiveThirtyEight
Roper Center
Real Clear Politics

20. “While the growth in the number of Millennials who are eligible to vote underscores the potential electoral clout of today’s young adults, Millennials remain far from the largest generational bloc of actual voters. It is one thing to be eligible to vote and another entirely to cast a ballot.” -Richard Fry tank/2016/05/16/millennials-match-baby- boomers-as-largest-generation-in-u-s- electorate-but-will-they-vote/

22. “…young-adult turnout depends on factors besides demographics: the candidates, the success of voter mobilization efforts, as well as satisfaction with the economy and direction of the country.” -Richard Fry tank/2016/05/16/millennials-match-baby- boomers-as-largest-generation-in-u-s- electorate-but-will-they-vote/

23. “Only about 65% of the U.S. voting-age population (and 71% of the voting-age citizenry) was registered in 2012, according to the Census Bureau, compared with 91% in Canada and the UK, 96% in Sweden and nearly 99% in Japan.” -Drew Desilver tank/2016/08/02/u-s-voter-turnout-trails-most- developed-countries/

24. -“The Current State of Civic Engagement in America”
“Nearly two-thirds of all Americans have participated in some form of political activity in the past year. Just under one-fifth engaged in four or more political acts on a scale of eleven different activities.”
-“The Current State of Civic Engagement in America”
current-state-of-civic-engagement-in-america/

26. -“The Current State of Civic Engagement in America”
“As income and education levels increase, so does participation in a wide range of political activities…”
-“The Current State of Civic Engagement in America”
current-state-of-civic-engagement-in-america/

28. Political Participation
Most Americans don’t participate in most political activities
Where Americans participate most is in voting (still very low)
Participation varies among Americans based on socio-economic characteristics

29. Political Participation (cont.)
Education increases likelihood
Higher income
Higher social class
Minorities as a whole participate at below average levels
Highly educated minorities participate above average
Are these statistics a problem for democracy? Why/why not?

30. Conventional Participation
Voting
Campaign work
Running for office
Working as a staffer for a politician
Lobbying the government
Donating money to a political cause

31. Unconventional Participation
Protest
What is its main aim in America today?
Recent examples?
Civil Disobedience
Ex: Rosa Parks