POLS 1101 – Politics/Generation Z

Politics, Generation, and Political Parties

The U.S. has more than 72 million millennials, who are adults born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s. In 2020, millennials surpassed baby boomers as the largest generation of adults. And while they have been less likely to participate in politics in the past, these younger adults are increasingly asserting their influence.

• The generation following Millennials is often called “Generation Z” and generally refers to people born in the mid-nineties to early 2010s. The older members of Generation Z make up the youngest people of voting age, including many of the country’s first-time voters in 2020.
• Some experts identify greater personal debt following the economic crisis and environmental concerns as special worries for many Millennial voters.

Discuss questions:

1. Do you think some issues are especially important to different generations? What issues are uniquely or especially important to so-called Generation Z?
2. Why do you think political parties are concerned with differences between generations? Does the current political party (system) appeal to Generation Z (or your generation)?

To earn total participation points, students are required to answer all discussion questions. Answers must be original responses to the discussion questions and posted by Friday (April 12) at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Additionally, at least TWO POSTs must be in response to another student’s comment and is due by Sunday (April 14) at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

The answers to discussion questions require a minimum of 750 words (All answers within 750 words). There is no maximum number of substantive student responses that may be posted. Substantive postings are more than “Good job!” or “I agree with you!” Substantive responses to classmates should include meaningful dialogue and should include one or more of the following:

• Ask a probing question and provide a supportive context for your question.
• Offer and support a different point of view, including the supporting argument (information, logic, and reasoning) for this different point of view.
• Validate your colleague’s posting with your own experience.
• Ask a question to a peer asking for clarification or expansion of the ideas they presented along with the basis for your question;
• Make a suggestion and provide a supporting argument for the suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting by following the same point of view with additional information, logic or reasoning.

* Point Assignments: Based on length, compliance with assignment directions, and quality of critical thinking demonstrated.

Below 50 Points: Too short or superficial, no compliance, no critical thinking.

50~60 Points: Too short, little compliance, little critical thinking.

60~70 Points: Required length, somewhat compliant, weak critical thinking.

70~80 Points: Required length, meets minimum standards

80~90 Points: Meets or exceeds the required length, mostly compliant, basic critical thinking.

90~10 Points: Meets or exceeds the required length, full compliance, high-quality critical thinking