Swing Vote

After watching a movie with your children or students, we encourage parents and teachers to look for education opportunities to teach with movies. Here are a few discussion topics that can help with lesson plans or teaching in the home.

Although this film explores the American elections, how is it applicable to voters in other parts of the free world? What are a citizen’s civic responsibilities? What is a social contract?

What changes Bud’s belief about the value of one vote? Why do many people feel marginalized in their own country? Is it possible for politicians to meet the needs of all their constituents?

What impact does the flippant policy change have on the presidential candidates in this film? Who are the antagonists in the story?

Kate has her home office wall plastered with pictures of famous female newscasters. Can visual reminders of a person’s goal influence the ability to achieve it? What pictures would you post on your wall? What does Kate learn about the dark side of newsgathering?