POL 115 Wk 5 Discussion – The Electoral College

Week 5 Objectives

In this final week of class, we are learning about political parties, voting, and elections in the United States. Some of the more controversial aspect of the American system of elections are the Electoral College and the dominance of the two major political parties.

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CLASSROOM DISCUSSION

For participation credit, you are required to contribute a total of three substantive discussion messages during the online week (Tuesday – Monday). These consist of two elements:

Your formal response to one of the discussion topics (due Thursday); and,

Your two subsequent replies to your classmates or faculty member (due Monday).

The formal response due Thursday should strive to meet the following criteria:

Meet a minimum of 175 words

Addresses questions under one of the discussion topics;

Stays on topic and addresses the weekly course objectives;

Integrates theory, research, and/or personal observations;

Includes specific examples and/or substantiating evidence;

Includes in-text citations and references in APA format; and,

Demonstrates proper spelling and grammar.

Do not use Wikipedia, Quora, Yahoo Questions or other crowdsourced websites as references.

Your reply posts due Monday should be substantive in nature and be a minimum of 150 words, reflecting the qualities of REAL engagement.

Relevant comments are on topic and reflect course concepts and objectives.

Experiential in nature, reflecting real life observations, reflections and examples.

Ask questions of fellow classmates or instructors.

Link to course readings and apply these lessons to work, personal and/or educational life.

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DUE BY THURSDAY: Respond to one of the following topic options in a minimum of 175 words:

Topic One: Electoral College: Review the readings/videos in the Learning Activities folder and then consider:

What is the Electoral College?

What was the Founding Fathers’ original purpose for the Electoral College?

How does the Electoral College shape campaign activities?

Does it still serve as a protection for small states, or is it used as a way to control the political process with less than a majority of the votes?

How has the purpose or role of the electoral college changed from its origination to today? Provide at least 1 specific example to support your position.

Defend your position with facts.

Topic Two: Political Party System: Review the readings/videos in the Learning Activities folder and then describe the political party system.

Do you believe there should only be two main parties?

What are benefits and the disadvantages of the political party system?

Should the United States consider changing the 2-party (i.e., Democratic and Republican) political system? Use information you have learned in this course to support your answer.

Use information you have learned in this course to support your position.

Topic Three: Citizen Engagement: Review the readings/videos in the Learning Activities folder and play the interactive game, and then consider how a democracy is a government by the people.

Is citizen engagement necessary for a democracy to function? Why or why not?

Are all Americans equally able to become engaged in government?

What factors make it more possible for some people to become engaged than others? What could be done to change this?

If you chose to run for federal public office, which office would you want to run for? Why?

What are the responsibilities of that public office? What are the checks and balances on that branch of government?

How does that public office contribute to the function of the U.S. government?

DUE BY MONDAY

Reply to your instructor and your classmates with at least two more substantive messages.

Address different discussion topics/questions in your reply posts than the topic of your initial post.

Be constructive and professional in your responses.