HOMEWORK

UNIT 3 – Political Beliefs/Political Behaviors, Elections, and Interest Groups

Chapters 6, 10, 11

 

~ From the syllabus ~

Homework: Expect nightly reading assignments from the regular textbook Government in America and supplementary readings. Take these very seriously – they are the foundation of daily discussions and lectures. You will be quizzed on readings and vocabulary from the readings.

 

This homework schedule is subject to change…Stay tuned and watch carefully!

Regardless, you are responsible for Chapters 6, 10, and 11 for the exam.

 

 

Oct. 10             UNIT 2 EXAM TODAY: Multiple-choice only

                        HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 6 (stop at Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information) ~

                        Green book: pp. 172-184 / Red book: 176-188

 

 

Oct. 13             Today: Chapter 6 Part 1 Quiz. Introduce political identity - demographics, identity politics, socialization processes. Read “When ‘Identity Politics’ is Rational” by Stanley Fish.

HOMEWORK: Finish Chapter 6

 

Oct. 15             Today: Chapter 6 Part 2 Quiz.

Continue political identity and Fish article.

Complete practice FRQ on ways of participating the political process other than voting. See how these methods of participating are affected by class and wealth by reading excerpt of APSA Task Force Report on inequality.

o        Read the report and highlight important information/details.

o        On the back: 1) Summarize the findings of the APSA; 2) What recommendations/ideas do you have to moderate (reduce) the influence of class and money on the political process? Explain why you think your ideas are sound.

HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 10 (stop at How Americans Vote) ~

Green book: pp. 294-308 / Red book: 296-310

 

Oct. 16             Special Schedule – Healthy Kids Survey

Today: Chapter 10 Part 1 quiz.

Finish APSA reading and discuss your recommendations/ideas.

If time allows, start political spectrum and ideology. Start with understanding liberalism and conservativism.

HOMEWORK: Finish Chapter 10

 

Oct. 17             Today: Chapter 10 Part 2 quiz.

Continue political spectrum and ideology by finishing liberalism and conservativism handout; completing political spectrum handout and graphing your own location on the spectrum. (Handout available in class only)

Voter behavior as a function of demography and climate.

HOMEWORK:

 

 

Oct. 20             Early Release

                        Today: Discuss APSA findings and your recommendations.

HOMEWORK: Read “Obama’s $150 Million Changing Rules of the Game” and answer questions.

                        Click here for information on campaign finance limits.

                        Also, finish political spectrum handouts.

 

Oct. 22             Today: Discuss political spectrum handouts, Obama article. Tie together problems of voter behavior, election process, campaign finance ~ what are the connections?

                        If time allows, start interest groups.

                        HOMEWORK: Read “Block the Vote” article by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Spend time answering the following questions and the terms listed below:

            1) What are demographic factors related to nonvoting?

                                    2) What are institutional obstacles related to nonvoting (elections processes, aspects of elections)?

Terms: Voter fraud; voter registration fraud; Help America Vote Act (HAVA) – when passed? why? provisions?; US Commission on Civil Rights; provisional ballots; spoiled ballots; caging; literacy tests; poll taxes; Voting Rights Act

If you don’t know ALL the different types of ballots, you should look them up: absentee (different from vote-by-mail), butterfly, punch, optical scan, provisional

If you don’t know registration requirements, you should know them.

** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (BUT NOT REQUIRED) READING: “Was the 2004 Election Stolen?” by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

 

Oct. 23             Today: Discuss “Block the Vote” and Obama article. Start interest groups work if time allows.

HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 11 (stop at How Groups Try to Shape Policy) ~

Green book: pp. 320-332 / Red book: 322-334

 

Oct. 24             Today: Interest groups work.

                        HOMEWORK: Finish Chapter 11

 

CLICK HERE FOR UNIT 3 STUDY GUIDE

 

 

Oct. 27             Today: Finish interest groups work.

HOMEWORK:

1) Take Chapter 11 multiple-choice quiz online and email to kjohnsto@bham.wednet.edu. Review for exam.

2) Bring questions for Wednesday’s review!!!

 

Oct. 29             Today: Finish interest groups ~

Review “How Groups Try to Shape Policy”

o        What are lobbying, electioneering, litigation, “going public”?

o        What are grassroots efforts?

o        What kinds of groups would choose lobbying as their primary technique? Why? – same for electioneering, litigation

o        Explain why lobbying can be seen as both a good and bad element in the American political system. What do they have to offer? At what point do they interfere with the process?

Review for Exam

Bring to class on Thursday: APSA work/recommendations; Liberals vs. Conservatives handout; Obama article.

 

Oct. 30             EXAM TODAY – Free Response only. No homework.

                        Turn in: APSA work/recommendations; Liberals vs. Conservatives handout; Obama article.

 

Oct. 31             Today: Senior Meeting & Invisible Children Presentation. Multiple Choice exam postponed until Monday.

HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 12 (stop at How Congress is Organized to Make Policy) ~

Green book: pp. 353-364 / Red book: 352-364

 

 

Nov. 3              EXAM TODAY - Unit 3 Multiple Choice Exam.

HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 12 (stop at The Congressional Process) ~

Green book: pp. 364-375 / Red book: 364-378

ELECTION DAY EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY!!!