It's election "season". Since so many science and health issues are being discussed by the candidates, we'll look at US politics and civic responsibility. Take the Civic Engagement Quiz developed by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and post your score. Discuss your results with the class.
Due October 8, 2012
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
18 comments:
My score for the Civic Engagement Quiz was 30%. Out of 10 questions regarding politics and the government I only got 3 answers right. My “ranking” is a Plebian, or “Average Joe”; my scores were not a surprise to me.
I am not very familiar with the whole “line up” of the government. I have some knowledge of each branches purpose but only enough to get by; I suppose I am just an “Average Joe”. I don’t feel that if I had any more knowledge of the government that it would be more beneficial than just knowing what I already know.
The quiz is designed to show how “wise and public-spirited” as a citizen you are. I don’t feel that having extensive knowledge on government makes me anymore or any less of either of these. I am a voter, I am a citizen, I am proud to be an American, and in respect to all of this I have no faith in nor am I proud of our government. Maybe if I did have more knowledge of each of the branches main purposes it would leave me to be even more disappointed-since it would only prove that no one does their job as it was designed.
I am perfectly fine with the ranking of Plebian. It makes me feel that I am more apt to be in touch with my neighbor and my community. Honestly, it may be beneficial if the government tried to be involved and in touch with both of these as well.
I answered 6/10 correct, giving me a tank of tribune. According to this website, "tribunes" were officials in ancient Rome that were elected by the plebeians and they held important constitutional powers. I'm going to interpret this as being some sort of a politician,like a congressman or something similar. I honestly don't think I'm this smart, I knew maybe 3 of the questions, and the rest I just used process of elimination, the rest I just guessed. Although in our current state of affairs, I don't think that "knowledge," or "intelligence" has anything to do with holding political office, in fact I think it is discouraged. I was sent an email the other day, and it seems applicable to this discussion...
An Indian walks into a cafe with a shotgun in one hand and pulling a male buffalo with the other. He says to the waiter, "want coffee." The waiter says "Sure chief. Coming right up." He gets the Indian a tall mug of coffee... The Indian drinks the coffee down in one gulp, turns and blasts the buffalo with the shotgun, causing parts of the animal to splatter everywhere and then just walks out. The next morning, the Indian returns. He has his shotgun in one hand, pulling another male buffalo with the other. He walks up to the waiter and says, "want coffee." The waiter says, "Whoa, Tonto! We're still cleaning up your mess from yesterday. What was that all about anyway??" The Indian smiles proudly and says, "Training for position in United States Congress. Come in, drink coffee, shoot the bull, disappear for the rest of day, leave mess for others to clean up."
So to be honest I don't like my results, I would rather not be compared to the scum at the bottom of the barrel. I really like the previous post by Athena; I really agree with her post. I would rather be an average Joe. One of the questions asked in the quiz where "Government of the people, by the people, for the people" came from (Gettysburg Address) and I feel that we have fallen so far away from this that it is one of the contributing factors to our current state of affairs. We have distorted what was once an extraordinarily good system that was set up by our founding fathers; a representative government. It used to be that doctors, teachers, farmers, dog-catchers, lawyers, janitors, John Everyman, etc would go to congress as representatives of their constituency for a couple of years, making sure that their community was heard, and then go back to their old jobs. Then somebody else would come, and somebody else, etc. However, now we have these life-long politicians that are concerned with getting re-elected every couple of years. This has given rise to a fourth branch of government- special interest groups. These groups have become incredibly powerful and influential, and I would say, the MOST powerful branch of government. We have come to the point where we no longer have elections, we hold auctions. Which candidate can raise the most money in a campaign? Their influence and their ability to be a good leader is now measured by how much money they can raise when election time comes around. In my economics class, we had to post a discussion on a new iPhone app called the "super PAC" app. It essentially takes sound clips from the television and identifies the political advertisement, and then tells you who paid for the ad, how much money the ad has raised, and also provides us with a "truth-checking" capability. We can now look at the claims made against an opponent or what ever other claims are made in the ad, and verify through an extensive database, whether the claims have any validity, or whether it is just smoke being blown. I downloaded this app, and many of the ads are being paid for by groups that want their voice to be heard. We have gotten to the point where anyone can put up an ad to promote their favorite candidate, and they are now only limited by the depth of their pocketbook, which puts the power of influence into the hands of the wealthy while also taking it out of the hands of the average Joe. This has ultimately shifted the power 180 degrees away from what our founding fathers originally established, and things are getting worse because of it. We need a complete reform, to get back to the basics. But this never happens, we do not evolve backward, only forward. We will continue in the direction of inevitable destruction much in the same way as ancient Rome, or any other great civilization that grew so large that it could not hold itself up anymore.
I scored a 6/10, which is a Tribune rank. "In ancient Rome, these were officials who were elected by the Plebeians and held important constitutional powers." This doesn't really surprise me, as I don't particularly care for politics. I actually did better than i thought I would. However, I don't think that I am anymore wise than those who got a lower or any less wise than those who got a higher score. It just depends on how much you are into the subject matter, as with any quiz or test. You will always do better in a class or area of work that you enjoy than what you don't enjoy. But I'm not interested in politics, because though they concern me, I can't really make a difference, me myself because the government is no longer "for the people, by the people." It's for the higher up powers who want us to believe it's for the people.
My score for the quiz was 3/10, which puts me in the “Plebeian” category or an “Average Joe”. Based on the results, which pretty much sums it up, US politics and civics is not my favorite subject. Although I have been keeping in touch with elections more than ever this year, I guess because I am a bit older, I get lost in the midst of all the laws and regulations. Basically I just listen to what interests me and what I want to hear from the politics, but other than that it’s back to regular life.
I scored a 7/10 on the quiz. I was surprised that I got that many right. I don't pay much attention to politics but I mostly just remembered things from my history class. My ranking was Tribune, which was an official elected by the Plebeians and held important constitutional powers in Rome. This quiz seems to focus on the structure of government, which is important, but doesn't show how knowledgeable someone is about politics. I may know about government structure, but definitely not about politics. I wish I paid more attention to the presidential debates and such because I know they are important, but I really dislike politics.
When I did the American Civic Knowledge Survey, I managed to score a 8/10. I would say this is a surprise because I’m not really into the whole politics aspect. I believe the reason why I scored a decent score was because I took History last semester in the spring. Therefore, all that information was quiet fresh in my brain. Since my ranking was so high I managed to rank as a Philosopher/King. This is very interesting because on the website it states that the Philosopher/King was Plato’s ideal ruler in ancient Greece. Also, the questions that I got wrong are actually the ones that I was really confident in getting right. For instance, I got the one wrong where that has the right to declare war. I could honestly argue that It was the President. However, since I got it wrong I did some research and saw otherwise. The other one that I got wrong was the one that stated where the phrase “Government of the people, by the people and for the people.” I really thought this statement was in the Constitution. I believe that I’m not really into politics because there are so many controversial issues that in reality will be solved. People will always have different opinions. About a week ago I saw the Presidential Debate. In my opinion, Mitt Romney killed President Obama in everything that was discussed. However, it’s obviously easier for Romney to say all those things because he hasn’t been President. He says that President Obama hasn’t done the things he said he promised when he was elected. In my opinion, Change can’t be done from one day to another. I’m sure if President Obama could do the things he said he would, he would do it. I’m sure he has tried. If Romney does win the election, he will finally get to see that it’s not easy. Actions are stronger than words.
Stephanie Galaviz
P.S. I got confused witht the dates I thought this was due on friday. :(
My score was a 3/10. I am considered to be a Phlebian. I am not really surprised by this... I never liked History class growing up as a kid. As an adult, I am not as interested in politics and the election campaign as I should be. I don't like how politicians trash each other and try to make their opponent seem like a terrible person. I do my research on the politicians right before the election and then I vote based on my research. As an adult I probably should follow these kinds of things more carefully. I just don't like how dirty politics can get. I guess I don't think that being able to quote the constitution would make me any more informed of how to vote. I didn't find this quiz to be very useful. I am now surprised by the results... at the same time I am not upset by these results!
On another note, this is the second time I am posting this. I am not sure why it didn't post the first time. Hopefully it works this time!
Chelsea Holgate
My score on the Civic Engagement quiz was 7 out of 10. According to the quiz I am ranked a tribune. Which were officials who were elected by the Plebeians and held important constitutional powers, in ancient rome. I am kind of surprised with my score. I do have a basic knowledge of our governments line up and such, but did not think this much. I do sometimes get intrest in politics such as the debates occuring now. I love watching them go back and fourth and find out what both have to say and what they can change. This quiz madde me realize that maybe I should be brushing up on my knowledge and understand not just guess. This quiz was a good eye opener to make me realize somethings that I need to refresh on and just make me reaalize there is somethings that as an american and living here I should maybe just kind of should know. I bet that a lot of people would not get the same score as me and fully understand everything about our government and whats going on.
My score in the Civic Engagement quiz was a 4 out of 10. According to the quiz I'm a Pleebian. Basically just an average joe when it comes to history. In high school I did well in my classes but apparently all of what i learned was short termed. Not really that suprised because those classes never really captivated and i just took the bare minumum needed to graduate. But I do believe that there is a lot that i should know especially if I'm going to vote for a president. And to be honest I haven't really been keeping up with the presidential debates. Politics tend to bore me but they are essentials to our future and government.
Evan McFarland
October 11, 2012 11:00 AM
After taking the Civic Engagement quiz, I scored a 6 out of 10 (60%) which ranked me as a Tribune.
I am a surprised that I scored higher than 50%. Frankly, I do not have a complex knowledge and understanding of how out political system works, but I do know more than the basics. For example, now that we are in the middle of election season, knowing more than the basics (besides my personal beliefs) guides me towards which candidate deserves my vote.
Although many people do not care or think that it is necessary to know this, I believe it would be helpful. It would give us more of a insight as to how things are "supposed" to be handled and have reasonable opinions. I think this is another main reason as to why many people do not participate in voting elections, because they really do not know what to research for with each party.
My score was the “average Joe” I got the 3/10. I pretty much have not followed the government like the United States Electoral College was. I haven’t gone over these topics since I was in 8th grade. I watch the news and some of the debates on TV or the computer. I discuss the issues with my family and friends. Most of the topics I want to hear are the ones that will affect the working every day man who makes less than 60 thousand a year.
My score was 50%, I guess i need to know more about the History of united states. I came to America when I was 19 years old and the history classes i took was just world history which is just a general understanding of the world history. I should take my time to learn more about the government and how the government works here in United States
My score was 60/100. I was very impressed with my outcome. I will be honest I have not studied much in depth to the history of the United States as much as I should. I understand some facts about the government, but I understand the importance of how those decisions made prior in history effect us today. Especially, with the new elections arising today.
HA! I am considered an “Average Joe”! A Plebeian! Go Figure! I am happy I am not offended about being called an “Average Joe” however this goes to explain to you how much knowledge I have about
Our Constitution and Our Government in general! I had no ideal or clue of the amount of things this quiz was talking about and felt quite ignorant and enlighten all at the same time. In my opinion for years I didn’t see how neither government nor politics pertain to me. However it is kind of weird that in school we had to learn about the constitution and that was about it; but never anything in more in depth than the constitution or the government as a big picture.
It is funny in the season of politics when people go to have huge conversations on politics I become like a church mouse (Quite) because I really just don’t get involved in the whole politics arena; but it’s not that I don’t want too; its just I am that informed about politics. However the two quizzes had shown me that I need to not be blind or ignorant of the unknown things about neither our government nor politics that are as crucial to us as a nation. I declare I would work toward not being so much of Church Mouse and gain a voice by equipping myself with knowledge of how our government runs.
I took the test and well my score was low and would rather not let it be known. I was disappointed in my scores. I should know more, but I don’t and I think that is sad. Some of those questions I don’t think I herd even through high school. Which I think it should be taught. We expect our president, senators, and other high profile people to know this. Well our school kids, our high school student are our future presidents, senators, and higher profile people. These things make our country let them be taught and known.
"You answered 8 out of 10 correctly — 80.00 %"
For the civic engagement, I have scored 8 out of 10.
I am quite surprised that I've scored this much considering how I don't give politics much of my attention. This is the case because politics are are dirty games. I say this because people will say whatever it takes to get elected, they will make all sorts of promises to get elected and as soon as they're elected, they'll intentionally forget or altogether ignore the promises they've taken. I don't have statistics to support this, but more than half of the politicians that run for higher seats typically do so primarily for their own personal gain. This is more prevalent in poor and underdeveloped countries; usually in Africa and some third world countries in Asia. However, it is still present and widely applied here in the united states. They're bought by big coorperations and do not go to office in order to help struggling people or society as a whole. However, there are some decent politicians out there who's sole purpose for running for higher offices is to help people. I would love to be a politician someday because I come from a family of politicians and If I were to become one, I would do it not to gain me any praise, money or power; but to help and make a difference as so many promise, but only very little deliver.
Surprisingly I know a lot more about this then I thought….. or these were just easy questions
I scored a 7 out of 10 (70%)
My ranking was……Tribune – In ancient Rome, these were officials who were elected by the Plebeians and held important constitutional powers.
Post a Comment