Delegation Resource Manual: Month by Month Implementation Guide
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YMCA PA Youth & Government Program
5.
Project the Political Socialization resource sheet for the students to examine. Have
students copy the definition and compare their list of factors to those on the overhead.
6.
Distribute the student handout entitled, “Identifying Influences of Your Political
Socialization.” Discuss each of the issues to make sure students know what they are.
Then have students fill out the handout. Have them discuss their responses in their groups
and complete the reflection questions.
7.
In order to assess student achievement have the students reflect on the following questions
by either creating a paragraph or an illustration that addresses the definitions of Political
Culture and Political Socialization.
What is Political Culture?
How does your everyday “culture” affect your political beliefs?
Provide an example to support your answer.
Extension Activities:
a.
After students complete the form titled Identifying Influences, ask students to evaluate which
agent has the least influence on their decisions and which has the greatest? Create a chart that
represents this information for the class and ask students to determine if the agent that has the
strongest influence on individuals is worthy of this role. This topic may be explored in a class
discussion or in a brief paper.
b.
Show a clip of political satire from Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, or
project a political cartoon on an overhead. Ask students to identify and analyze elements of
American political culture that is portrayed in the skit or cartoon.
Political Culture - widely shared beliefs, values and norms concerning relationships of citizens to
government and to one another
Important Elements of American Political Culture
1.
liberty - preoccupation with rights
2.
equality - equal vote, equal opportunity, equality under the law, but not equal wealth
3.
democracy - politicians accountable to the people
4.
civic duty - serve community
5.
individual responsibility – barring some disability, individuals responsible for own actions and well being
Political Socialization- process by which parents and others teach children about values, beliefs
and attitudes of political culture
Agents or Influencing Factors of Political Socialization
1.
Family
2.
Religious Institutions
3.
Community – rural v. urban, North v. South, etc.
4.
Race and Ethnicity
5.
Social Class
6.
Level of Education
7.
Media
8.
Teachers
9.
Peer Group
10.
National Identity
11.
Gender
