Civic Engagement Seminar

Concept
This module is designed to give shape to the many ways people view politics and history-each from his or her individual perspective. Not only are the politics of this country influenced on a day-to-day basis, but Americans' opinions of politics also seem to change rapidly. You will explore the meaning of politics, as well as what political labels influence them most.

Pre-flective Activity
Part A: In your journal, make a list of your individual characteristics that can be considered political characteristics or biases (i.e., republican, feminist, environmentalist, etc).

Part B: Take the WORLD'S SMALLEST POLITICAL QUIZ at: http://www.self-gov.org/lp-quiz.shtml. Review your results and read through the descriptions of the various political philosophies listed. Write a response to the results of the WORLD'S SMALLEST POLITICAL QUIZ in your journal. Do you think the test accurately characterized your political philosophy? The organization hosting the web site is Libertarian. What impact do you think this has on the construction and results of the test?

NOTE: The WORLD'S SMALLEST POLITICAL QUIZ was created and is maintained by "Advocates for Self-government", a Libertarian group. The use of their web site should not be seen as an endorsement of this political philosophy. The Center for Community and Civic Engagement do not advocate this (or ANY) particular political philosophy.

Readings

• Political Parties: Why we have a two party system

• Democratic National Committee

• Republican National Committee

Optional Readings

• Green Parties of North America
• Libertarian Party
• Natural Law Party
• New Socialist Party
• Reform Party
• Socialist Party
• The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden

Reflective Activity
In your journal, write a short essay in which you discuss one of the assigned readings. Choose the reading that you found most powerful. Explain why you feel this way. What were your immediate thoughts when you read the essay? Did you already know who the author was? If you were to write a similar piece today, how do you think it would change?

After completing this module, please proceed to Module 4: Government.