Political Beliefs and Behaviors/Linkage Institutions
Date / Goal / Reading / StandardJan. 25th / Political Beliefs and Behaviors Intro / None / AP Standards
Jan. 26th / Political Socialization / 390-402 / AP Standards
Jan. 29th / Political and Public Opinion / 390-402 / SSCG7
Jan. 30th / Elections / 462-486; 493-503 / AP Standards
Jan. 31st / Electoral College / 487-492 / AP Standards
Feb. 1st / PBB Quiz / AP Standards
Feb. 2nd / FRQ/Quiz Review / AP Standards
Feb. 5th / Political Parties/3rd Parties / AP Standards
Feb. 6th / Interest Group
Web Quest
Feb. 7th / Interest Group/Lobbying / 581-611 / AP Standards
Feb. 8th / Campaign Finance / 508-542 / SSCG11
Feb. 9th / Mass Media/Feeding Frenzy / 513-521; 571-578 / SSCG11
Feb. 12th / PBB/Linkage Test
Georgia Performance Standards
SSCG7 The student will describe how thoughtful and effective participation in civic life is characterized by obeying the law, paying taxes, serving on a jury, participating in the political process, performing public service, registering for military duty, being informed about current issues, and respecting differing opinions.
SSCG11 The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, labor, professional organizations) and special interest groups on the legislative process.
a. Explain the function of lobbyists.
b. Describe the laws and rules that govern lobbyists.
c. Explain the function of special interest groups.
AP Standards
Individual citizens hold a variety of beliefs about their government, its leaders, and the U.S. political system in general; taken together, these beliefs form the foundation of U.S. political culture. It is important for students to understand how these beliefs are formed, how they evolve, and the processes by which they are transmitted. Students should know why U.S. citizens hold certain beliefs about politics, and how families, schools, and the media act to perpetuate or change these beliefs. Understanding the ways in which political culture affects and informs political participation is also critical. For example, students should know that individuals often engage in multiple forms of political participation, including voting, protest, and mass movements. Students should understand both why individuals engage in various forms of political participation and how that participation affects the political system.
Finally, it is essential that students understand what leads citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs and behaviors, and the political consequences of these differences. To understand these differences, students should focus on the different views that people hold of the political process, the demographic features of the American population, and the belief and behavior systems held by specific ethnic, minority, and other groups.
Vocabulary Political Beliefs and Behaviors
Political Socialization / Political Ideology / Conservative / LiberalSocial Conservative / Push Polls / Tracking Polls / Exit Polls
Political Party / Direct Primary / National Convention / National Chairman
Soft Money / Hard Money / Super-Delegates / Winner Take All System
Political Machine / Patronage / Plurality System / Caucus
Linkage institutions / Realignment / Spoils System / Party Dealignment
Party Platform / Perot/Nadar / Critical Elections / Incumbent
PAC / Primary / Front-loaded campaign / General election
Midterm election / Open primary / Closed primary / Federal Election Commission
Buckley v. Valeo / Bipartisian Campaign Reform Act / 527 Groups / Split Ticket
Straight Ticket / Front loading / Super Tuesday / McConnell v. FEC
Franking Privilege / “Pork Barrell”
AP Standards
Students should understand the mechanisms that allow citizens to organize and communicate their interests and concerns. Among these are political parties, elections, political action committees (PACs), interest groups, and the mass media. Students should examine the historical evolution of the U.S. party system, the functions and structures of political parties, and the effects they have on the political process. Examination of issues of party reform and of campaign strategies and financing in the electronic age provides students with important perspectives. A study of elections, election laws, and election systems on the national and state levels will help students understand the nature of both party and individual voting behavior. Treatment of the development and the role of PACs in elections and the ideological and demographic differences between the two major parties, as well as third parties, form an important segment of this material.
Students must also consider the political roles played by a variety of lobbying and interest groups. Important features of this section of the course include an explanation for why some interests are represented by organized groups while others are not, and the consequences of these differences. Students study what interest groups do, how they do it, and how this affects both the political process and public policy. Why are certain segments of the population, such as farmers and the elderly, able to exert pressure on political institutions and actors in order to obtain favorable policies?
The media has become a major force in U.S. politics. Students are expected to understand the role of the media in the political system. In addition, the impact of the media on public opinion, voter perceptions, campaign strategies, electoral outcomes, agenda development, and the images of officials and candidates should be explored and understood by students. Understanding the often symbiotic, and frequently conflictual, relationship between candidates, elected officials, and the media is also important.
Georgia Standards
SSCG8 The student will demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections.
a. Describe the organization, role, and constituencies of political parties.
b. Describe the nomination and election process.
c. Examine campaign funding and spending.
d. Analyze the influence of media coverage, campaign advertising, and public opinion polls.
e. Identify how amendments extend the right to vote.
SSCG11 The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, labor, professional organizations) and special interest groups on the legislative process.
a. Explain the function of lobbyists.
Essential Questions For Political Parties
1. How do political parties work to achieve their stated goals?
2. Explain the role of a critical election and the history of realigning elections in America.
3. Why do voters cause realignment?
4. What are the three political arenas within which a party may be found?
5. What is a political party machine? How has the party of machines been weakened? What are some positive aspects of party machines
6. What are the effects Political parties have on the political process
7. In what ways are American political parties weak?
8. How do 3rd parties impact our political culture?
9. Analyze why third parties are so rarely successful.
Essential Questions for Elections
1. What is the purpose of elections?
2. Define closed, open, and blanket primaries.
3. What are the differences in running in a primary and the general campaign?
4. How has the primary system impacted elections?
5. Why did the framers believe in the Electoral College?
6. How does the Electoral College affect Presidential Campaigns?
7. Define the incumbency advantage and the coattails effect
Vocabulary for Linkage Institutions Unit
Political Party / Realignment / DealignmentDivided government / Plurality / Linkage institution
Winner-take-all system / Straight ticket voting / Split Ticket voting
Third Parties / Closed primary / Open primary
Caucus / Hard money / Soft money
527 Groups / FECA / Disclosure Requirements
Interest Group / Lobbying / Amicus curiae
free rider / Agenda setting / Gatekeeper
Watchdog / Scorekeeper / Horserace Journalism
Front Loading / Super Tuesday / Super Delegates
Franking Privilege / Pork Barrel