Political Organizations and the Politics of Family

Introduction

There are numerous organizations in the United States that try to influence how citizens and politicians think about family values and family policy. Over the next few weeks, you will learn about one of seven organizations by working with one or two other students to read your organization's web page in depth.

Questions

On 12/9 or 12/11, you and your partner(s) will make a presentation on this organization. You should be able to answer the following questions:

• What are the top priorities of the organization?
• Does the organization take positions that are clearly connected to a values agenda (think of this in terms of sexual morality and social morality)? Provide some examples to back up your conclusion.
• How would three of the authors whom we have read respond to your organization? Would you expect any of them to wish to join?
• How does this organization conceive of children and youth? What programs/policies does the organization believe will benefit children/youth?
• Who is the audience for this organization? What evidence can you provide?
• Would you want to support the organization?
• Has the organization endorsed any presidential candidate? Do you believe that their analyses are consistent with any of the candidates?

Process and Resources

Step 1/Day 1: Thetwo-three people in each group should spend some time at a computer looking at the web sites for your organizations. As a group, decide which sections of the site each of you will focus on. You should also be sure that someone in your group is reading sections of the page that will help you to gain an overall sense of the organization. After you have done this initial division, spend however much time you have left reading through the site.

Organizations:

The Children's Defense Fund Christy, Paige, Adam

American Association of Retired People (Be sure to look at the section on Grandparent's Rights) -- Melissa, Stephen, Craig

The AFL-CIO -- Alyssa, Chris

National Organization for Women -- Det, Angela, Jacky

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force -- Mallory, Celia

Youth Communication -- Audrey, Jaime

Children's Rights Council -- Corey, Stephanie

Step 2: You should come to class on 12/2 with a 2-3 page paper in which you discuss your organization. You should provide brief answers to the questions above.

Step 3: On 12/9 and 12/11-- Presentation: You should be prepared to spend 10-12 minutes talking about and analyzing the work of your organization. Please use the organizations's web page as part of your discussion if you feel that it would be helpful.

Step 4: Integrative Paper: Choose four readings and use them to analyze the organization. At least one reading must be from Section III of the course.

Evaluation

Completing the group/pair section of this assignment is necessary for your integrative paper. The better you, as a group, are able to analyze the organization, the better papers you will be able to write. In addition, the informal writing and discussion is part of your participation grade.

For your integrative paper, you must do an analysis of the organization that answers a broad question: How does this organization draw on and/or challenge dominant ideas about family in the the United States? In the paper, I will be looking for: evidence that you have thoroughly read the organization's web site and understand their goals, objectives, and rationale; evidence that you have selected readings that really help you to shed light on the organization; a clear thesis that is supported with appropriate citations from the web site and the readings. Your paper is due on 12/11.