Unit 6: Political Parties/Elections/Campaign Finance
· Looking back at the first political parties and why they were formed
· Party competition is healthy for everyone
· Electoral college, 3rd party influence, and the campaign trail
· The effects of interest groups on the political process
· Who really has power?
· Politics of the news media
· What conflicts over constitutional principles have arisen due to the involvement of political parties, interest groups and the media?
Students should understand the mechanisms that allow citizens to organize and communicate their interests and concerns. Among these are political parties, elections, 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, forms an important segment of this material. Students must also consider the political roles played by a variety of lobbying and interest groups. We will study what interest groups do, how they do it, and how this affects both the political process and public policy.
· Party competition is healthy for everyone
· Electoral college, 3rd party influence, and the campaign trail
· The effects of interest groups on the political process
· Who really has power?
· Politics of the news media
· What conflicts over constitutional principles have arisen due to the involvement of political parties, interest groups and the media?
Students should understand the mechanisms that allow citizens to organize and communicate their interests and concerns. Among these are political parties, elections, 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, forms an important segment of this material. Students must also consider the political roles played by a variety of lobbying and interest groups. We will study what interest groups do, how they do it, and how this affects both the political process and public policy.
Unit Resources
Weekly Assignments
Week One: 1/7-1/11
Why Do We Need Political Parties Article
Why Do We Need Political Parties Questions
Comparing Political Parties
Critical Elections and Realignment
Critical Elections and Realignment Article
Week Two: 1/14-1/18
Third Party Election Project
Road to the Nomination Diagram
Nomination Article
Week Three: 1/23-1/25
Citizens United Background Reading
Campaign Finance Timeline Sheet
Week Four: 1/28-2/1
Dark Money Documentary
Electoral College Data Analysis
Week Five: 2/4-2/18
Electoral College Simulation
Why Do We Need Political Parties Article
Why Do We Need Political Parties Questions
Comparing Political Parties
Critical Elections and Realignment
Critical Elections and Realignment Article
Week Two: 1/14-1/18
Third Party Election Project
Road to the Nomination Diagram
Nomination Article
Week Three: 1/23-1/25
Citizens United Background Reading
Campaign Finance Timeline Sheet
Week Four: 1/28-2/1
Dark Money Documentary
Electoral College Data Analysis
Week Five: 2/4-2/18
Electoral College Simulation