Unit 3 Political Parties, Interest Groups, & Mass Media  

Essential Questions

* What is the difference between a Democrat and a Republican?  
* What are third parties? And what role do they play? 
* Political parties and interest groups are not mentioned in the Constitution yet they play a critical role.  How? Why?
* Do they serve our democracy or are they an obstacle?  
* How do interest group influence government decisions and policy making?  
* How does the media shape elections?

Vocabulary

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

Lecture & Videos

For this unit, view and take notes from the Party Realignment and Media & Press Coverage sections.

Activities & Assignments

**Sub Plan for Sept 16**

Mass Media: The Fourth Estate

Media PPT

Mass Media Note Overview 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

PACs v 527s PDF

Campaign Election Reform PDF

*** Supplemental Resources for Interest Groups - Use with computer lab time 9/26

       Interest Groups: readings, interactives & videos here

*** Sept 27 Sub Plan
Students are to copy the items below. Next you are to identify/define the items below and provide an example. Write your answers in your notebook. Students may work collaboratively. 


Primary elections- differences between open, closed, blanket, run-off
Primary function of PACs, political parties 
How do parties and interest groups promote democracy?
Campaign finance laws- (see textbook)
Why are interest groups becoming more popular and parties less so?
Reasons for two party system
Interest group influences policy matters that are narrow issues, few groups, technical info
Plurality v. majority election
PACs influence of legislation and legislators- HOW
Concept of dealignment/realignment and elections
Coattail and midterm elections, frontloading
Role of amicus curiae for interest groups
Critical elections- when, reasons for shift