Critical Thinking Assignment #1 - Political Socialization

In this assignment, you will explore the concept of political socialization by describing your own
experience and comparing it to one of your classmates. Your assignment must include both of
the following:
1. Discuss your own process of political socialization (as defined in the textbook), both as a
youth and as an adult. Do you consider yourself a member of the political class, the bewildered
herd, or somewhere in between? How did you come to be where you are? Discuss at least 3-4
factors that have had the most influence on your opinions and attitudes about politics and
government.
2. Compare your own process of political socialization to the person you interviewed in
class. Using your notes from the interview, give specific examples to help illustrate the ways that
your process has been different from your interview partner. How have these factors influenced
each of you in different ways?
In your discussion and interview, consider each of the following agents of socialization:

family
geography (where you grew up/live now)
school (K-12, college)
group identity (race/ethnicity, class, gender,
sexuality, religion)
peers (coworkers, classmates, friends)
media (TV, radio, online, etc.)
life cycle/ generational effects (experience/events in your own life that affect you or your
whole generation)

NOTE: You should also use information from the text in your discussion (for example,
definitions and quotes can help support and explain your own process.) You may also do a
creative project, with the instructors consent. If you decide to do a creative project, please
include a written explanation with your project.
Critical Thinking Assignment #1 - Political Socialization
In this assignment, you will explore the concept of political socialization by describing your own
experience and comparing it to one of your classmates. Your assignment must include both of
the following:
1. Discuss your own process of political socialization (as defined in the textbook), both as a
youth and as an adult. Do you consider yourself a member of the political class, the bewildered
herd, or somewhere in between? How did you come to be where you are? Discuss at least 3-4
factors that have had the most influence on your opinions and attitudes about politics and
government.

2. Compare your own process of political socialization to the person you interviewed in
class. Using your notes from the interview, give specific examples to help illustrate the ways that
your process has been different from your interview partner. How have these factors influenced
each of you in different ways?
In your discussion and interview, consider each of the following agents of socialization:

family
geography (where you grew up/live now)
school (K-12, college)
group identity (race/ethnicity, class, gender,
sexuality, religion)
peers (coworkers, classmates, friends)
media (TV, radio, online, etc.)
life cycle/ generational effects (experience/events in your own life that affect you or your
whole generation)

NOTE: You should also use information from the text in your discussion (for example,
definitions and quotes can help support and explain your own process.) You may also do a
creative project, with the instructors consent. If you decide to do a creative project, please
include a written explanation with your project.