Tasks: Is Gerrymandering Undermining Democracy in the United States?
Here is a quiz related to the text about gerrymandering. Take the quiz to check what you remember.
Work in groups of three.
One person is an expert on gerrymandering, one person is a Norwegian journalist who does not speak English, one person is the interpreter. (If you are more than three people in the group, you may add an expert.)
The journalist asks questions about gerrymandering in Norwegian.
The interpreter translates the questions into English.
The expert answers the questions.
The interpreter translates the answers into Norwegian.
Keep going until the expert has shared all his knowledge about gerrymandering, and the journalist has enough information to write an interesting article.
Study the graphics, and write a short text where you explain what it tells us about diversity in Congress. Be specific.
Work in groups. Choose one task. Research the topic and prepare to have a conversation about it.
Find out how widespread the problem of gerrymandering is. Are there specific examples of parties gaining political advantage through gerrymandering? Discuss whether gerrymandering is a serious threat to the democracy in the United States.
In addition to gerrymandering, 'voter suppression' is a challenge to democracy in the United States. Find out what is meant by voter suppression. Find examples of voter suppression and discuss whether voter suppression is a serious issue in the United States today.
Is gerrymandering a uniquely American phenomenon? Find out if it is happening in other parts of the world today.
In Northern Ireland the Catholic minority has struggled to get political representation. Find out more about how they were prevented from getting representation and how this has changed today.
Choose one of the tasks and write a text of maximum 800 words.
Write a speech where you try to convince your audience about the importance of the principle 'one person, one vote'.
Imagine that you are an American politician who has been accused of attempting to engage in gerrymandering and voter suppression to stay in power. Write a letter of rebuttal where you justify your actions.
Imagine that you are a voter who has noticed that gerrymandering has taken place in your electoral district. Write a letter to the editor where you try to convince newspaper readers that this is an injustice.
Related content
Article about gerrymandering in the United States of America.