1. Keeping in mind the material covered in this lesson, describe how you understand ideology in YOUR OWN WORDS. 

Ideology is a set of principles that encompass the overall experiences, standpoints, and opinions of an individual. It is something that is built across life and can take build and change over time. Teachers might have a set of experiences growing up, and after years of teaching they will have second hand experiences with all those students and it can influence the way they feel about certain aspects of life. After attaining a college degree, individuals will have gained a massive amount of knowledge to influence their standpoints. Ideology is more than political since we literally use it everyday as humans. We as humans are able to create plans and schemes that are based on personal ideologies. These are how we are able to establish ourselves in our arrears and make money. 

2. How do you understand the difference between conservative and liberal ideology in US politics? What seem to be the big differences, the dividing line? Give an example to back up your arguments.

The basic understanding of the two ideologies is that there are two groups of individuals who have drastically different views. The more liberal people have an ideology based on the experiences they feel have wronged them. They believe that there should be support given to individuals who are in need. Often liberals are called left which has more policies towards policies like socialism.  The more convservative people, while they are more social demure, have an emphasis on personal values and empowering the individual to solve their problems. Often conservatives are called right – wing because they often believe in nationalism, which is towards the other side of the spectrum. Conservatives have unnecessary ideas that are inconsiderate to other parties. 

3. How do you understand Althusser’s definition of ideology? Paraphrase it in your own words. Given an example. Hint: you may have to watch the second video again, and find the few places where Althusser’s position is presented.

From my understanding, Althusser defines Ideology as a non self conscious status quo that needs not to be changed . The idea here is that ideology means people accept beliefs that they have believed without consciously knowing they believe them. Ideology can be reinforced through expectational and approved behaviors to deem you as “proof” and further on being an obedient citizen in a capitalist economy.

For example, school equals discipline, therefore the ideology prevents changes to the authority of the staffing in school. Students are taught through a strictly formulated daily routine, along with being restricted by force. They’re interactions are governed by behavior reinforcement, in which students must always be respectful, obedient, non rebellious, comply and learn from their mistakes through authority. Violence is along the lines of fear, but the promotion of fear will keep students regulated, which if they fail to do corporate, they’ll be sent to detention, or suspended and other forms of consequences. The ideology appears from students playing their role , accepting these lessons, which will be implicated in their futuristic habits as an adult.