This course examines the learning process, what political scientists refer to as political socialization.  That is, how people acquire their beliefs, attitudes and values. Most of these are learned through experiences in direct face-to-face human interaction, through the media, and from reactions to major events that take place throughout one's lifetime.  These factors are known as agents of socialization.  The primary agents are those that directly attempt to teach specific political orientations and behaviors.  They include:  family, peers, schools, and media.  Less important agents are called secondary agents of socialization.  They tend to be less personal and involved in the process in an indirect manner.  These include:  events, religion, social class, age, and sex. 

Political socialization is a life long process that is capable of producing changes at any time in the life cycle. Socialization begins early in life and can be influenced by a variety of individuals and events. For most people there are defining moments that produce changes.  These can occur as people make life style changes, such as, going to college, changing jobs, or acquiring new friends. Political socialization is a very complex process shaped my many elements that are part of an individual's environment. 

This course will focus on the many agents of socialization, starting with the role of the family in early childhood.  It will attempt to explain how each agent contributes to the socialization process and how change in values and behavior can occur.  The primary focus of this course will be on adult socialization, beginning with the college experience and examining the influence of life style changes.  Also, of particular importance will be the role of the media in the process.  Here the primary focus will be on the role of television.  An examination will be make of both information television, such as news programming as well as  the effects of  entertainment programming on the socialization process.

The course will also examine the social and psychological theories that seek to explain how the learning process takes place.  Among these are:  the two step flow, cognitive consistency and dissonance theory, the selective perception hypothesis, and stimulus-response theory.

Specific Course Goals:

1. To understand how agents of socialization impact individual opinion and behavior.

2. To be able to explain how learning theories can help in an understanding of political socialization.

3. To provide an opportunity to help students understand their own political belief systems and be in a better position to make changes if that is a desired goal.

Course Objectives:

1. Students will learn the basic concepts and ideas in the field of political socialization.

2. Students will be able to evaluate how people acquire beliefs, attitudes and values and why they vote and participate in politics the way they do.

3. Students will be able to better understand their own political belief system.

Methodology:

The primary method of instruction will be informal lecture and discussion. During the 50 minute lecture students are expected to interrupt with questions and comments.  The typical class should be more like a seminar rather than a lecture class.

Materials of Instruction:

There is no text for this course.  All the readings for the course can be found on the Lecture Topics page, under reading assignments.

Exams:

There are three exams in this class.  Each one follows completion of a major section of the syllabus. All tests are essay tests. The exam schedule lists the test dates.

Grades:

A student's grade is based on a combination of  the three tests and discussion in class.  A separate grade will be given for each.  Students will receive a grade for each test and a single grade for discussion.  

Office Hours:

Office Location: Room 206 McNamara Hall
Hours: Monday 11-12  1-2 
Wednesday 11-12  1-2
Friday 11-12, 1-2
Other times by appointment
You can also email me either at Lewis or at home.  At Lewis: gazianjo@lewisu.edu
At home: gazianoj@comcast.net
For fastest results email me at school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and at home on Tuesday and Thursday.