The purpose of this research paper is for the student to examine his/her own personal process of political socialization. In other words, the student will examine who and/or what throughout his/her lifetime has shaped their political beliefs, values, and/or opinions. The student should select at least FOUR agents of socialization from the list below and discuss how each one has shaped his/her political beliefs and values. Agents of Socialization (and a few discussion points one may consider but not required. Simply food for thought) Family o Politically active or not (i.e. voting) o Political party affiliation or not (i.e. Democrat, Republican) o Political Ideology (i.e. Liberal, Conservative, Moderate, etc.) o Do you discuss politics with your parents/family? o What impact do your parents/family have upon your political socialization? School o Political indoctrination (i.e. Pledge of Allegiance, accept social order, respect authority) o Building good citizens (i.e. field trips, school elections) o Critical thinking (i.e. debates, speeches, research papers, discussing position of controversial issues) o What do you remember about your education that may have influenced your political values? School events, specific teachers, class projects, etc. Religion o Religious institution one might attend regularly, fleeting, or not at all o Impact of religious leader and his/her preaching/sermons o Position of social issues (abortion, same-sex marriage, etc.) Community o Politically active or not (political yard signs, homeowners association) o Socioeconomic status of neighborhood (low income, middle income, upper income) o Diversity or not (Non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, African-American) o Community issues (i.e. crime, drugs, poverty, social welfare programs, racial profiling, etc.) Peers o Impact of friends, classmates, coworkers, club members o Politically active or not Media o Principle source of information (television, newspapers, radio, internet, magazines, etc.) (What channels, websites, radio programs), if any. o Agenda-setting What is newsworthy? (i.e. conflict, elections, political scandals) o Issue-framing How the story is presented(conservative or liberal perspective) Events (Personal , National, or International) dramatic events that have an impact upon ones political beliefs and values o 9/11 terrorist act o Presidential election o Recession o Iraqi and/or Afghan Wars o Mass Shooting o Personal event (if one wishes to discuss) Opinion leaders People who may influence ones political opinions because they are greatly admired and respected. An opinion leader may be a person that one personally interacts with or a person that one knows of and greatly admires. Examples: Father/mother Rush Limbaugh Martin Luther King Jr. President Obama/Bush/Trump Jesus/Mohammed Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert IMPORTANT NOTE: There is no right or wrong answers. Each person has his/her own unique process of socialization. In addition, the student does not have to choose an agent of socialization that he/she does not wish to discuss. This paper is examining YOUR political socialization (i.e. your political story) Paper Requirements: Minimum THREE pages in length (if using 1 1?2 space) or FOUR pages in length (if using double space) Standard font and margins PAPER DUE DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2019 (submit by no later than 11:59 pm) IMPORTANT NOTE: LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED! Suggested Paper Outline Title I. Introduction (i.e. The purpose of this paper is . . . ) II. 1st agent of socialization III. 2nd agent of socialization IV. 3rd agent of socialization V. 4th agent of socialization VI. Conclusion Its not required but the student can break down the paper into sections with subheadings for each one (as indicated in the outline shown above).
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