Political Activity
Political Activity Scale
Overview
The Political Activity Scale involves asking students to report the number of times they have engaged in various political activities.
Global Citizenship Objectives Addressed (K=knowledge; S=skill; A=attitude)
S7. Take action to effect change, both individually and with a team.
A7. Feel a sense of responsibility and efficacy to take action based on ethical analysis and empathy.
Global Challenges addressed
This activity focuses on political activities that can make a difference on any issue. The activity does not distinguish political activity that addresses global challenges or some other issue
Description of Teaching and Learning Activity
Students are asked to complete the Political Activity Scale (see handout below) prior to coming to class. If they have not done so already, each student is asked to score the scale, receiving total points that can range between 0 and 100. Each student anonymously submits a small piece of paper to the instructor with two numbers one it--one is her or his total score on the Political Activity Scale; the second (usually circled) is the score he or she would LIKE to have if the scale is completed again in four years. [Note: higher tech alternatives are available for this process.]
All of 1) the current calculated scores and 2) the scores that students would like to have in four years are then recorded in separate columns so everyone can see them. The average of current scores and scores students would like to have in four years are also calculated. Students are then asked what they observe from the data collected. A variety of observations are often made, including that 1) a wide range of current political activity is present, and 2) students want to engage in significantly more political activity in the next four years. Students are encouraged to examine where they fall in the current and desired future scores and to think about why they score as they do in relation to their classmates.
Related Handouts