SWING VOTE- Viewing Guide
Directions: You are responsible for answering questions before, during, and after the film, Swing Vote. Some questions are about the film specifically. Some questions ask you to use your elections unit knowledge using the film as a guide. Some questions ask for your opinion with supporting details. You are to submit a typed or neatly handwritten report with numbered answers to all questions. This assignment will be due the next school day after the film. Don’t forget to include the requested heading at the top. Use the back to take notes.
Before watching, respond to the following question:
1) What do you think Swing Vote is about? Explain.
During Swing Vote, answer these questions about the film:
2) Why does Bud think he can’t vote?
3) What is Bud worried will happen when he becomes an eligible voter?
4) What domestic issue affects Bud at work?
5) What political party is the President representing? How do you know?
6) What political party is Mr. Greenleaf representing? How do you know?
7) When the film says each candidate has 267 votes, but needs to reach 270, what system are they referencing?
8) Why did New Mexico law, not federal (government) law, decide how Bud Jackson should recast his vote?
9) What is an independent voter? A straight-party ticket voter?
After watching, respond to the following questions. Indicate if/why the movie influenced your response:
10) What happened in the movie, Swing Vote, is next to impossible. However, does one vote really matter? Explain.
11) Should a candidate’s platform be based on his or her beliefs or the beliefs that will generate the most votes- as the candidates did to win Bud’s vote? Explain.
12) Do citizens have a responsibility to society to be educated and informed about issues? Explain.
13) List some positives and negatives about the election process.
14) Please add the following question provided by the teacher when Swing Vote ends:
______?
Note:
“Before” and “during watching” questions should be about 1 or 2 full sentences. “After watching” questions should be about a paragraph each. Don’t forget a proper heading at the top of your first page à
SWING VOTE- Daily Notes
Directions: You will watch Swing Vote in four (4) segments of approximately 30 minutes each. At the end of the segment- you will write a reflection based on at least one (1) areas of focus. Each area of focus should be addressed at least once. Take notes on scrap paper so this handout can be your submission piece OR use this as a draft and type your final submission.
Note: Attach this behind your #1-#14 viewing guide responses!
Areas of focus [] voting/election [] campaigning/political processes [] character analysis
DAY #1
Areas of focus [] voting/election [] campaigning/political processes [] character analysis
DAY #2
Areas of focus [] voting/election [] campaigning/political processes [] character analysis
DAY #3
Areas of focus [] voting/election [] campaigning/political processes [] character analysis
DAY #4