For class on 5/1: Immigration Reform

This week we are addressing immigration, among many other topics related to our increasingly diverse nation. While it is true that the United States is a nation of immigrants (if we continue to ignore the history of Native Americans), it is also true that our history of immigration policy has changed dramatically over time. For a look into numerous angles on immigration in general you can look here. Recently the so called "gang of eight," a bipartisan group of senators have proposed the most far reaching immigration reform that the United States has seen in nearly 30 years. While it is far reaching, the most noteworthy aspect of the proposed bill (for now) is its proposed path to citizenship for the 11 - 12 million undocumented immigrants living in America. This path to citizenship is confusing to many, and controversial to put it mildly. A good updated list of google news on the subject can be found here. After reading about the proposed legislation and arguments for it and against it please start a discussion based on the following prompts:

1. In general do you think that our current immigration policy is effective? Should we loosen our restrictions on new immigrations entering America, make it more difficult for new immigrants to enter, or keep the current policy?
2. What do you think about the current proposed legislation, including the path to citizenship for current undocumented immigrants? Support or oppose and why?

For Class on 4/24: The Media and Important Political Issues

For the blog this week we are going to take a look at the major issues that have dominated recent political headlines and inquire about what they mean for . The President and Congress have many issues that they are dealing with along with the never-ending look toward the next elections. The media also has their own agenda regarding what to cover and what not to cover. I am interested to find out what you think is important to address and, by extension, how you think the media is doing in terms of their coverage of these issues.

Start by taking a survey similar to those conducted by polling companies and news organizations regarding what issues are most important to you. you can find the survey here.

Next take a look at how your responses and the responses of your classmates compare to national polls here (If you'd like, you you can test your knowledge of recent news based on news quizzes from: The Pew Research Center or The Chicago Tribune.

Now peruse some of the leading local and national news agencies to browse what they are or are not covering. 
Local: The Chicago Tribune, ABC Chicago, WGN, NBC Chicago 

National: The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBCNews, ABCNews, CBS News, Politico

Finally please post a comment describing your reactions, reactions to your classmates comments. You can use any or all of the following prompts as a starting point if you wish.

1. How does the American media shape the political culture of American citizens today?
2. Are the issues that seem to be the most important to you (or to the rest of America) being covered by the media?
3. What conclusions can we draw from the way that the issues that dominate the polls and media coverage are similar or different?

For Class on 4/17: Education in America

Outside of our families there is arguably no greater source of our political socialization than schools. And the reality of schools in America is mixed and largely troubling. Many have focussed on the falling ranking of American K-12 education with respect to the rest of the world. We will discuss some of this in class. For now, however, I would like you to focus on higher education. There is no doubt that we have a huge number of high paying jobs in America that do not have sufficiently trained Take a look at this issue guide from Public Agenda on higher edcuation. Focus in particular on the overview, and the various charts that describe the facts and public opinion. You may also want to take a look at the Obama Administration recently released college scorecard here. You can start the discussion by answer any or all of the prompts below:

• What are the most important challenges pertaining to higher education in America today?
• Which of the three leading positions (showing on the middle of the page here) do you favor the most: 1) invest in making sure all students can go to college, 2) provide opportunity for the needy, or 3) keeping tuition costs down by making colleges more efficient (or 4) do not intervene and allow the market to regulate the costs and availability of college)? 
• What other choices or options regarding higher education could help train more people, improve American competitiveness, and our economy?

For Class on 4/10: My Political Culture Story

This week we are beginning to look at how political culture is socially and historically constructed. In order to gain the most value from this course we also must examine ourselves in terms of how we conceptualize major cultural concepts and how these ideas and values have been constructed in each of our individual lives. That is your challenging task this week. As you read the assigned readings for this week think about your personal ideas regarding big questions like: what does it mean to be "American" and what an American political identity might be (or think generally about your political views and priorities). Most important reflect on why you have these beliefs. Those ideas have been constructed throughout your life. Think critically about how you have personally constructed your political culture lens by answering some or all of the following questions:

1. How do you identify yourself politically (or what group(s) do you personally identify with)?
2. How has this affected your conception of the role of government or your relationship with the government?
3. Who or what has affected your personal views about politics specifically or social or moral issues in general (people, institutions, media, personal experiences, etc...)?
4. Why do you do feel the way you do about various political groups (both similar and different from you)?
5. How does the time and place in which you live impact your political ideology?

Gaining a more critical understanding of what you feel and how you have developed these views will help us as we look at the social and historical construction of American political culture in general.

Remember: Your responses should be approximately one long or two short paragraphs and no more (around 150 words). No research is necessary but think carefully about what you want to write and respond to the ideas presented on the blog, not the people. The goal is to use these prompts to start a dialogue that can evolve through the week. You should post your comment(s) by 8pm on Tuesday. Everyone should skim the discussion before class on Wednesday.