Instructions

Class will not meet on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2. Instead there is a three-part assignment that involves predictions, observation and analysis. Each part of the assignment has its own deadline. Complete instructions are contained in the posts below. Students who have questions or need additional information should email Richard Lee at richard.lee@rutgers.edu.

Part I – Predictions

Prior to 5 p.m., Monday, November 1, click the Leave a Comment link above and enter:

Your name

Your predictions:

• After the results are in, how many seats will Democrats hold in the U.S. Senate? How many will Republicans hold?
• How many seats will Democrats hold in the U.S. House of Representatives? How many will Republicans hold?

Part II – Coverage

Watch one hour of election night television coverage and post your comments at the end of that hour. Click the Leave a Comment link above and enter:

Your name

The name of the television station you watched

Your observations and critiques of the individuals from media and government who were on the air during the hour your watched. Use these questions as a guideline:

• What was discussed during the hour?
• Who discussed it? Journalists? Analysts? Candidates? Campaign and party officials?
• Did you hear a consistent message from Democrats? Republicans? If so, what was it?
• Rate the questions asked by the journalists? Were they tough? Were they softballs? Did they help you understand the key points in the race? Was there tension between the journalists and the individuals they interviewed?
• If you were the producer of the hour you watched, what changes would you make in the coverage?

Responses should be two-to-four paragraphs.

Part III – Analysis

Prior to 8 p.m., Wednesday, November 3, click the Leave a Comment link above and enter:

Your name

Your analysis of the election results, using these questions as guidelines:

• How will the results impact the future for the President? For the Governor? For Democratic and Republican parties — nationally and in New Jersey? For citizens?

Responses should be two-to-four paragraphs.