GOVERNMENT

Assignment 2: The 2018 Texas Election Cycle

Program-Level Objectives met with this assignment:

Social Responsibility
Personal Responsibility
Communication
Critical Thinking Skills

Course-Level Objectives met with this assignment:

1. Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
2. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
4. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
5. Analyze the state and local election process.
6. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.

SLO #2: The 2018 Election Cycle in Texas. 70% of students will research the current candidates running for the various state offices. Once knowledgeable, they will analyze and evaluation the candidate’s platforms. [SLO #2 fulfills the following Program Level Outcomes: Communication, Critical Thinking, Social and Personal Responsibility, as well as the following Course Level Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.]

Activity for Assessment:

For this assignment, we are going to focus in on the 2018 state elections, coming up very soon. You will need to do several things to complete this paper well: 1.) Take the political quiz to determine which political party you most align with, 2.) Research your home district to see who represents you, through the provided link, 3.) go to the other links provided for information regarding who is running for office and what their party affiliations are and party platforms, 4.) become knowledgeable about the candidates who have the potential of representing you (Governor, Lt. Governor, various state-wide offices, as well as more local candidates), 5.) provide information that would help you, as a voter or bystander, determine who would get your vote. You will do all of this through the following provided links as well as by answering the following questions:

https://www.isidewith.com/political-quiz

https://fyi.capitol.texas.gov/Home.aspx

http://www.politics1.com/tx.htm

https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2018/texas-general-election-candidates/

1.) Before you took the quiz, which party did you think you most identified with? Did the quiz results align with that perception? If no, why do you think that is?

2.) Who represents you? (I do not need, nor want your home address in the paper) Prior to researching this, were you aware of any of the politicians who represented you in any of the offices? Which ones and why?

3.) What are some of the biggest policy issues that are facing these candidates if they get elected or reelected?

4.) After researching the candidates for the various offices who represent you, what stands out to you are particularly good policies/platforms? Are there any policies/platforms that could make you inclined to vote for or against a candidate? Explain.

5.) Have you been following any of the campaign commercials and/or social media for these candidates? If so, what are your thoughts? Will you now start following your representatives on social media to keep up with them?

6.) What are the requirements to vote in Texas? When is the election? Are you eligible to vote and/or have you registered to vote if you are eligible? Why or why not?

7.) Overall, what did you learn from this assignment? If you are eligible to vote, will you vote in this upcoming election? Why or why not? (I am not asking who you will likely vote for. This can be a highly personal thing.)