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Inquiries Filed Under:

Political Parties

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About the inquiry

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of political issues and political parties. By exploring the compelling question about how well political parties represent individuals, students consider their own political ideology as a lens for learning about the extent to which political parties address international and domestic issues. In investigating political issues and political party platforms, students begin to develop an idea of how well the parties represent them and, more importantly, begin to develop their own political ideologies.

Compelling Question

Do Any Political Parties Represent Me?

Staging Question

Students take a political quiz through the University of Virginia Center for Politics that places them on a political continuum.

1
Supporting Question

Which international issues are most important to me?

Formative Tasks

Rank international issues from most to least important to you, and write a paragraph explaining that ranking.

Sources

Sources A–D: Description of current international issues: foreign policy, war and peace, immigration, and free trade

2
Supporting Question

Which domestic issues are most important to me?

Formative Tasks

Rank domestic issues from most to least important to you, and write a paragraph explaining that ranking.

Sources

ources A–E: Descriptions of current domestic issues: jobs, environment, health care, gun control, and civil rights

3
Supporting Question

Which national party platform best supports my stance on political issues?

Formative Tasks

Chart how different political parties respond to your stances on political issues, and make a claim or series of claims that answers the supporting question.

Sources

Sources A–D: Excerpts from the official Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Green party platforms

4
Supporting Question

How do politicians address issues that are important to me?

Formative Tasks

Research a politician and make a claim that addresses the supporting question.

Sources

Source A: Sources found by students and/or teachers

Summative Performance Task

Argument: Do any political parties represent me? Construct an argument (e.g., detailed outline, poster, essay) that addresses the compelling question “Do any political parties represent me?” using specific claims and relevant evidence from contemporary sources while acknowledging competing views.

Extension: Create a political party platform based on the issues students believe are the most important.

Taking Informed Action

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