Unit 3 Media, Political Parties & Interest Groups
Learning Objectives
- Identify and explain the role of the media in the political system.
- Examine the impact of the media on public opinion, voter perceptions, campaign strategies, electoral outcomes, agenda development, and the images of officials and candidates.
- Identify and describe the symbiotic and frequently conflicting relationship among candidates, elected officials, and the media.
- Identify and describe the goals and incentives of the media as an industry and how those goals influence the nature of news coverage.
- Examine and analyze the consequences of the increasing concentration of major media outlets in fewer hands, as well as the growing role of the Internet.
- Identify and describe the political roles played by a variety of lobbying and interest groups .
- Explain why some interests are represented by organized groups while others are not, and the consequences of this difference in representation . Identify and describe interest groups, what do they do, how they do it, and how this affects both the political process and public policy.
- Discuss why certain segments of the population able to exert pressure on political institutions and actors in order to obtain favorable policies?
- Identify and describe the mechanisms that allow citizens to organize and communicate their interests and concerns.
- Examine the significance of 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.
- Examine the of issues of party reform and of campaign strategies and financing in the electronic age provides students with important perspectives.
- Trace and discuss 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.
Vocabulary
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Linkage institutions
Two-party system Single-member districts Winner-take-all Proportional representation plurality New Deal Coalition Divided government Gridlock |
Straight ticket voting Rational choice theory
Maintaining elections Deviating elections Critical elections Realigning elections Dealigning elections Party machines Patronage Caucuses |
Party platform
Closed primary Open primary Super Tuesday Super delegates Delegates Frontloading Horserace journalism National committee Party coalition Pol Action Committees Soft money |
Independent expenditures
Issue advocacy ads Super PACs 527s Public funding FEC Electoral College Interest groups Single-issue groups Public interest groups |
Economic interest groups
Amicus curiae Class-action lawsuit Litigation Free riders Lobbying Grassroots lobbying Mass media Media events Gatekeepers Watchdogs |
Lectures & Videos
For this unit, view and take notes from the Party Realignment and Media & Press Coverage sections.
For this unit, view and take notes from the Party Realignment and Media & Press Coverage sections.
Activities & Assignments
Media PPT
Development of Political Parties PDF
Development of Political Parties PPT
Difference between Democrats & Republicans PDF
Function of Political Parties PDF
Function of Political Parties PPT
Interest Groups Notes PDF
Interest Groups Chart PDF
Interest Groups PPT
PACs v 527s PDF
Campaign Election Reform PDF
Development of Political Parties PDF
Development of Political Parties PPT
Difference between Democrats & Republicans PDF
Function of Political Parties PDF
Function of Political Parties PPT
Interest Groups Notes PDF
Interest Groups Chart PDF
Interest Groups PPT
PACs v 527s PDF
Campaign Election Reform PDF
