Citizenship: Rights and Responsibilities
Essential Questions:
- What Are the Roles of the Citizen in American Democracy?
- What is political ideology and how does it influence the political platform of an individual?
- How is an individual’s political platform influence by society?
- How does an individual’s political platform influence their participation in the political process?
Students will:
- Evaluate the contemporary roles of political parties, associations, media groups and public opinions in local, state and national politics.
- Evaluate whether or when their obligations as citizens require that their personal desires, beliefs and interests be subordinated to the public good.
- Identify and explain characteristics needed for effective participation in public life.
- Monitor and influence the formation and implementation of policy through various forms of participation.
Textbook:
Presidential Nomination and Election pp. 157-164
Role of Political Parties pp. 405-409
The U.S. Two-Party System pp. 409-415
Party Organization pp. 416-420
Nominating Candidates pp. 429-434
Campaigns and Financing pp. 435-439
Elections and Voting pp. 440-446
Voting and Elections
- Running for office
- The selection and role of delegates for national conventions
- Changes in the function of national conventions
- Campaigns
- Campaign financing
- Electing through the electoral college
- Criticisms of the electoral college
- Voting trends
Political Parties
- The political spectrum from liberal to conservative
- The two party tradition including the Federalists and Jeffersonians as well as the evolution of the modern Democratic and Republican parties
- Comparison of the current Democratic and Republican parties
- Third party contributions to elections and issues
Vocabulary
Radical
Liberal
Conservative
Reactionary
Single Member Plurality
Proportional System
Electorate
One-Party System
Two-Party System
Multiparty System
Realignment
Independent
Third Party
Splinter Party
Sectional Parties
Economic Parties
Specific Issues Parties
Patronage
Campaigns
Campaign Financing
Primary Election
General Election
Precinct
Ward
Political Socialization
Political Spectrum
Electoral College
Nominate
Elector
Caucus
Conventions
Open Primary
Closed Primary
Frontloading
Australian ballot
Party Platform
Plank
Keynote Address
Floor Demonstrations
State-by-State Roll Call
Popular Votes
Super delegates
Pledged Delegates
Super Tuesday
Electors
Loose Constructionists – Broad interpretation
Strict Constructionists –Narrow Interpretation
Questions
- What are the functions of political parties? What do you think is the most important function of political parties? Explain your position. - Consider the role they play in elections and how they help organize government. (pp. 405-408)
- What were the first political parties in the U.S. two-party system? Why did they form? (pp. 409-415)
- What are some significant changes brought on by political parties? (pp. 409-415)
- What is the role of the third party? Why do people join them? (pp. 409-415)
- Identify and explain the common criticism of the two-party system? (pp. 421-424)
- What are the benefits of the two-party system? How do political parties benefit the common good? How do parties provide citizens with opportunities to participate in the political process? What are some historical examples of changes brought about by parties? (pp. 421-424)
- How have the nomination procedures for presidential and vice presidential candidates changed over time? (pp. 157-164)
- What are the pros and cons of the Electoral College? Why has the system sometimes been criticized? (pp. 157-164)
- What is the most common means of nominating candidates today? What are the other means of nominating candidates? (pp. 429-439)
Taking a Stand
- Do you feel political parties have too much influence in the political and electoral process? Do they have influence in one area more than another? What might happen if parties had less influence than they do? If they had more? Explain