Download the American Government textbook (PDF version) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. to view the page numbers, which you need to cite in your response to the below prompt. You will not see page numbers if you just view the book online.

Choose either Prompt A or Prompt B. Before you respond, make it clear which prompt you are choosing.

Prompt A: Using Chapter 6 of American Government, explain four agents of political socialization. Which one applies to you? Explain how this agent applies to you. If you are a non-participant in our political process, you can answer this prompt by explaining which of the four agents you think is the most critical in explaining why others vote the way they do. Then, give non-political examples of how the socialization agent applies to you.

Prompt B: Using Chapter 6 of American Government, explain how the political culture of a state, the workplace, and political elites can influence/shape public opinion. Explain examples that demonstrate how each of the three factors can influence public opinion. Then choose one of the three factors and explain how you see this factor play itself out in your family, among your friends, in your workplace, community, etc.

Initial post is due Thursday; 2 follow-ups are due by Sunday. No posts will be accepted after Sunday.

Support your statements by bringing in and explaining the definitions and examples in the text. *In all discussions, make sure to cite which pages you are referencing. For example, "According to page 26…." or "The author states that the political process matters because… (pg. 26)."

For tips on how to earn as many points as possible on discussions and to see samples, check out Tips for Discussions & Sample Posts. To view a tutorial on how to find the rubric (which you should read before you submit), watch the following video:

Download the American Government textbook (PDF version) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. to view the page numbers, which you need to cite in your response to the below prompt. You will not see page numbers if you just view the book online.

Choose either Prompt A or Prompt B. Before you respond, make it clear which prompt you are choosing.

Prompt A: According to Chapter 7 of American Government, explain four reasons why many U.S. citizens do not turn out to vote. If you tend not to vote, explain which one of the reason(s) most aligns with your reason(s) for not voting. If you do tend to vote, explain why you think mandatory voting should or should not be implemented in the U.S.

Prompt B: According to Chapter 7 of American Government, explain the difference between prospective and retrospective voting. How is incumbency advantage a form of retrospective voting? Explain at least two advantages incumbents have over challengers. Given the advantages incumbents have over challengers, do you support term limits for members of Congress (that is, limiting the number of terms they can serve)? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

Initial post is due Thursday; 2 follow-ups are due by Sunday. No posts will be accepted after Sunday.

Support your statements by bringing in and explaining the definitions and examples in the text. *In all discussions, make sure to cite which pages you are referencing. For example, "According to page 26…." or "The author states that the political process matters because… (pg. 26)."

For tips on how to earn as many points as possible on discussions and to see samples, check out Tips for Discussions & Sample Posts. To view a tutorial on how to find the rubric (which you should read before you submit), watch the following video:

How to find rubrics (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
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