Review before the midterm
Quick Review of Last Week's Topics
Discussion of elections was mentioned but deemed non-essential since it won't be included in the midterm.
Students were asked to recap what they covered, confirming key concepts:
Three types of legitimacy discussed by a student (initially thought to be four types).
Parochial subject of participant discussed briefly.
Mention of political socialization and its relation to political culture.
Importance of voting and its legitimacy.
Midterm Preparation
Confirmation that upcoming topics related to elections will not be on the midterm.
Syllabus and study guide will specify chapters covered in the exam.
The availability of the study guide hinges on the Canvas system.
Students may take pictures of study materials shared during the lecture.
Questions regarding midterm content are welcomed even during review sessions.
Legitimacy
Legitimacy of governments or leaders can be obtained via different types:
Procedural Legitimacy: Often through elections, particularly in democratic regimes.
Ideological/Religious Legitimacy: Based on shared history, religion, or ethnic identity with society.
Charismatic Legitimacy: Stemming from the leader's personal qualities or characteristics.
Result-Based Legitimacy: Involves providing services or security to the population.
Habitual Legitimacy: Established through long-standing traditions, often seen in monarchies or theocracies.
Political Culture
Definition of Political Culture: Refers to the shared beliefs and attitudes within a society that influence political behavior.
Elements include:
Support for the state regime.
Tolerance of different political views.
High participation and civic engagement, especially in democratic contexts.
Example of U.S. Political Culture:
Notable for its expectation of civic duty and participation in elections, despite sometimes low voter turnout.
Political socialization explains how political culture is transmitted across generations, fostering certain norms and behaviors in potential voters.
Midterm Exam Format
Exam Structure:
20 multiple choice questions and four short answer questions (students choose two).
True/False questions format acknowledged.
Use of standard Scantron forms for the multiple choice questions.
Scoring Breakdown:
40 points allocated for multiple choice and true/false questions (2 points each).
30 points for each short answer question (2 questions = 60 points total).
Emphasis on the expectation for completed answers in short responses; elaboration is rewarded.
Study Preparation
Recommended materials for study:
Fill out and review the study guide effectively.
Focus should be on terms, definitions, and concepts discussed in the covered chapters (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8).
Understand key articles and their arguments:
Discussed readings included topics such as backsliding in democracy, populism, and capitalism vs. democracy.
Tips for Studying:
Know both definitions and broader implications of terms like legitimacy and political culture.
Analyzing guided prompts regarding articles aids in better answering exam questions.
The key to short answers is to directly engage with what authors say instead of personal opinions.
Action Items
Students encouraged to gather necessary materials (Scantron, blue books, pencils).
Use library resources or the hub for obtaining free Scantron sheets and blue books.
Engage in group study sessions to reinforce key concepts and to discuss important topics in depth.