Interest Group Readings

Answer the questions that proceed each reading and send your responses to lwaddell@tuhsd.k12.az.us

Madison’s Dilemma

1. Is the thinking of the framers relevant to contemporary politics?
2. Does Madison have anything to say that resonates with the dynamics of American politics in the twenty-first century?
3. Should groups, for example, be required to look at more than one issue, or should they be required to explain how their positions and interests would benefit the nation?

Interest Groups and the American Political System

1. What is the relationship between a system of government and the behavior of groups?
2. Mark Rozell and Clyde Wilcox note several factors which contribute to the important role played by interest groups in American politics. What are those factors and what is their role?
3. Discuss the single-member district system according to Rozell and Wilcox.

Voter Readings

Here are two readings about voting.  Please send your responses to the questions to lwaddell@tuhsd.k12.az.us

Finding the Lost Voters

Use the following readings to answer the questions below.

The Electoral College
The Origins of the Electoral College

1. What was the original purpose of the Electoral College? Are those purposes still met?

2. Should the Electoral College remain the same, undergo reform or be abolished? Describe and justify your suggestions for the future of the Electoral College

Voting PSA

A PSA is a public service announcement.  They are not commercials but are used as informational spots.  Your task is to create a 30 second PSA on voting for the 18-25 year old demographic.  There are several steps for the PSA.  First, create a group of 4 to 5 people.  Second, complete a storyboard of your spot.  This will aid you in filming.  Third, your spot must include verifiable information on voting in America, such as, how many people vote, how many are registered to vote, how does one actually register to vote.  Fourth, you are film your spot and turn in your video in either .mov or .wma formats.  You may turn it in on a disc if you wish.  Fifth, all members of your group must be on camera to receive credit.

Polling Project

Before you get started with the project here are a few key terms that you need to know.

Benchmark Survey-A campaign poll that measures a candidate’s strength at the time of entrance into the race.

Trial Heat Survey-A campaign poll that measures the popularity of competing candidates in a particular race.

Tracking Polls-Campaign polls that measure candidates’ relative strength on a daily basis.

Push Poll-Campaign tactic that attacks an opponent while pretending to be a poll.

Exit Poll-Interviews of voters as they leave the polling place.

The Project

The first part of the project is for you to find an example of each of the polls and surveys listed above.  You may only use a source one time.  Example, you may not use the gallup website for more than one.  Some places to look are: Gallup, New York Times, CBS News, PBS Newshour, USA Today are just a few.  There are many newspapers and other news sources that run polls.  The exit poll may be from a previous presidential election.

The second part is for you to create a series of polling questions related to a school topic.  Such topics may be longer lunch, later start time, etc.  You will create a question for each type of poll and survey listed above.

When you have completed the project email your finished project to lwaddell@tuhsd.k12.az.us

Public Opinion Readings

Here are the readings for Public Opinion.  Answer the questions at the end of the readings and email your responses to lwaddell@tuhsd.k12.az.us   FYI, these questions require more than a simple sentence to answer.

Popular Vote
Can We Trust the Polls?

Civil Rights Readings

Here are the readings for Civil Rights.  Please email your responses to lwaddell@tuhsd.k12.az.us

Plessy v Ferguson

Explain the separate but equal doctrine.  Discuss the impact of this decision on society in the early 1900′s.

Bakke v California

Do you agree with Brennan’s suggestion that a racial classification designed to remedy past discrimination should not be treated as fully suspect?  Explain your answer.  Is there a place for affirmative action in education?

Here are two other cases that you need to be familiar with for the quiz and upcoming exam.

Dred Scott

Brown v Board

Civil Liberties-Readings

Here are the readings for Civil Liberties.  Please answer the following questions and email the responses to lwaddell@tuhsd.k12.az.us

Anti-Federalist 84

Brutus argues that states have something that the federal government does not, what is it?  What is seen is a the major failure of the federal Constitution?

Justice Holmes

Explain the clear and present danger test.  What did Holmes do in Abrams v United States that differed in Schenck v United States?

The Bill of Rights 

For the Bill of Rights, have a basic understanding of each amendment.