ELECTORAL POLITICS
**Objective:**
- Understand the electoral process and its significance in a democracy.
- Explore the role of political parties and the challenges in electoral politics.
**Day 1: Introduction to Electoral Politics (60 mins)**
1. **Opening Discussion (15 mins):**
- Discuss students' familiarity with the term "electoral politics" and their perceptions of elections.
- Highlight the importance of elections in democratic governance.
2. **Components of Electoral Politics (45 mins):**
- Introduce key components of electoral politics, including elections, political parties, and voters.
- Discuss the role of elections in shaping government and policies.
**Day 2: Electoral System and Representation (60 mins)**
1. **Lecture (20 mins):**
- Explain the electoral system, including the First Past the Post (FPTP) system used in India.
- Discuss the principles of representation and how elected representatives reflect the diversity of the population.
2. **Group Activity (40 mins):**
- Divide students into groups and assign each group a different electoral system used in various countries.
- Have groups research and present their findings, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of their assigned system.
**Day 3: Role of Political Parties (60 mins)**
1. **Lecture (20 mins):**
- Focus on the role of political parties in electoral politics.
- Discuss how political parties represent different ideologies and interests.
2. **Class Discussion (40 mins):**
- Engage students in a discussion on the importance of political parties in democracy.
- Discuss the challenges and benefits of a multi-party system.
**Day 4: Election Campaigns and Media (60 mins)**
1. **Lecture (20 mins):**
- Explore the concept of election campaigns and the role of media in shaping public opinion.
- Discuss the impact of social media on modern electoral politics.
2. **Case Studies and Discussion (40 mins):**
- Present case studies of notable election campaigns and their outcomes.
- Facilitate a discussion on the role of media in influencing voter choices.
**Day 5: Challenges in Electoral Politics and Reflection (60 mins)**
1. **Lecture (20 mins):**
- Discuss common challenges in electoral politics, such as money power, criminalization, and voter manipulation.
- Introduce measures to address these challenges.
2. **Class Discussion and Reflection (40 mins):**
- Engage students in a discussion on potential reforms to improve the electoral process.
- Encourage reflections on the responsibilities of voters in maintaining the integrity of elections.
**Assessment:**
- Evaluate students based on their participation in discussions, understanding demonstrated in activities, and any assignments or quizzes.
**Homework Assignment:**
Ask students to research and write a short essay on the role of youth in shaping electoral politics and contributing to democratic governance.
**Conclusion:**
Summarize the main concepts covered during the week, emphasizing the critical role of electoral politics in a democracy. Encourage students to stay informed about political processes and actively participate in the democratic system.