Exploring Political Science: Finding and Analyzing News Articles about Democracy and Politics

Selecting an Issue or Example

Your task for this online discussion is to find a news article, news item, discussion, blog, tweet, issue or some example of political science as it relates to democracy, power, politics.(250 words) Find an example that interests you and that you think relates to political science. This assignment is about discussion and applying our understandings of political science to real issues.

1) What you chose and Why this interests you (explain, describe, define for us) and

2) How it relates to political science (why is this important in society? how does it relate to inequality? what messages are being distributed...?) This discussion will be part of your next final assignment. You will need to do this part first!

For this assignment you can use the issue/example you posted in the political science discussion board Word count: Maximum 1000 words Your assignment must: Use APA format Include in text citations Include a reference list at the end Demonstrate academic honesty and integrity (not plagiarized) Please answer the questions below based on the item you have selected, and include a link to your issue/news item where appropriate.

1. Consider the item that you selected for this assignment and the discussion. Why did you pick it? What appealed to you about this? Sometimes we pick items because they reflect our own experiences or it ignites a sense of (in) justice etc. Reflect on your reasons for selecting this item (beyond simply being interested dig deeper – why is interesting to you?) How does this reflect your views? Your experiences?

2. What Canadian political party would best support your personal view about this topic? (You should review the slides posted in the module, but this website will be helpful for you to develop your answer).

3. Consider the implications and impact of your issue on society. If you were responsible for creating a law (or public policy) to address or solve your issue, what would it be? For example, after the Ottawa shooting, police are now protecting soldiers who guard the monument. This is an example of how society is changed by events and new policies that come out of those events. See

4. How does your issue relate to democracy? Be sure to address democracy as both a process and a value.

5. Often political (and social) science issues create public outcry in the form of protests or demonstrations (Police shootings, The Occupy Movement for example. Sometimes these protests turn violent. Are violent protests a symbol of democracy or a criminal act? Do you think protests (violent or peaceful) are effective? Explain.

6. Consider how the media impacts the coverage of political science issues (and news items in general) what influence does the media have over coverage? (i.e. what gets attention, what doesn’t? how does social media contribute?) Explain how media news coverage can reflect inequality.

7. Using your understanding of the concepts covered throughout the course, (inequality, social class, economics, sociological imagination, social control, democracy etc.) explain how you think the social sciences are relevant to your life. You can explain how social sciences impact life as a student, family member, friend, worker etc. Why is an understanding of social sciences valuable?