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Assignment | Political Typology Beyond Red vs. Blue (Plank): Getting Started

GOVT 2305 | Prof. Matt Plank (Fall 2024)

The Assignment (Research Portion)

Your Goals

  • 10 pages total, minimum = 2 pages for your reflection + 8+ pages of researched analysis + Works Cited
  • MLA citations
  • Copy of your own political typology report (first page only)
    • Discuss: pick 6 issues and explain how they connect to you -- this is your reflection.
  • Assign the 2024 presidential candidates (VP Harris & former President Trump) to a Pew political typology.
    • Justify that label by exploring 4 issues for each candidate. Use at least 2 sources for each issue. (Minimum 8 sources total!)

Read More About the Types

 

Pro-Tip! Research Tip!

These typology labels aren't universal. Focus your research on your selected politicians as liberal/progressive or conservative, and then make the connection to the above typology yourself. 

  1. What are the key facets (characteristics) of each type?
  2. What broader issues relate to those facets? (Environment? Crime?)
  3. How does your politician tend to vote on those key issues? 
    1. This is where you're going to have research a little more broadly on their leanings.
  4. Now, connect that stance on those issues back to one of the eight types. Your paper will revolve around justifying the connection you've made.

Related Guides

PowerNotes

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