Q Follow and use the structure when answering these questions (this is a part of your grade) Reading Notes Assignment - (refer to instruction in syllabus) read assigned pages in the “Democracy in 21st Century America” (PDF) book and the articles for this unit. Take notes on all of the assigned readings. Then, in an extended memo format using the format provided below: 1. Summarize & Explain (in about 400 words+) in an overview of a couple of The Highlights of what the Major Points of Knowledge or what you understand now (ideas or concepts or facts and/or what you think it all means), which you gained from the book readings for this unit. Do this using one paragraph summary narratives (with additional bullet points - IF NEEDED - using whole sentences to illustrate the highlights). 2. Then, Summarize & Outline (in about 400 words+) the Major Skills or points of Critical Political Thinking (ways to think about political questions and how to see & understand social & political phenomenon that affect your life in your world) – do this using bullet points with whole sentences (NOT just one or two words) - to illustrate the key thinking skills you seek to highlight, 3. Finally, in about two or three paragraphs (about 600 words+); make a Conclusion with Commentary explicitly using ideas you take away from reading the articles to suggest how these (with in text citations) and ideas from the book, offer “us” (you) lessons we should all learn from what you have read and thought about, as to how the material in this unit section relates to the following explicit question(s): a) Political Parties: • What are some advantages and disadvantages of a two party system? • List two advantages and two disadvantages in your reflection. • Please refer to the Article and Handout on Objective Partisanship and Media Bias in your review. • Do you consider your political party as part of your identity? If so; How? • Also, consider whether you are you satisfied with a two party system or would you prefer a multi-party system? • Why or Why Not? b) Interest Groups & Social Movements: Reflect upon the concept of social capital as it relates to your life experiences. • Do you agree that social capital is on the decline? • If so, what might be causes this decline? • How might we revitalize social capital? • What are some problems in your community that might be solved with social capital? • Explain two ways that interest groups benefit our political system.