Unit 3: Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media

Wilson, Chapter 9: Political Parties
Wilson, Chapter 10: Elections and Campaigns
Wilson, Chapter 11: Interest Groups
Wilson, Chapter 12: The Media
Throughout this unit you will learn about the mechanisms that allow citizens to organize and communicate their interests and concerns.  Among these are political parties, elections, political action committees (PACs), interest groups, and the mass media.  We will explore 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.
This unit comprises between 10% and 20% of the exam.
Week of December 6




MONDAY
Day F
In Class: 
• Introduction to political parties








• History of party realignments
• "This Week"
HW: pp. 207-217
TUESDAY
Day A




In Class:
• Political Parties con't: Party structure today
HW: Republican and Democratic Party platforms
WEDNESDAY
Day B
NO CLASS
THURSDAY
Day C
NO CLASS
FRIDAY
Day D
In Class: 
















• The two-party system; minor parties

WEEK OF DECEMBER 13















MONDAY
Day E
In Class:
• Finish "The West Wing"
• "This Week"
• Nominating a President
TUESDAY
Day F




In Class:
• State and Local Parties
• Minor Parties
HW: Wikispace Discussion about the Tea Party

WEDNESDAY
Day B
In Class: 
• Campaign finance webquest
HW: Finish webquest; Wilson, 231-244
THURSDAY
Day C
In Class:
• Campaign Financing; go over webquest















HW: Wilson, 244-253 (we have already discussed the section on money, but this will refresh your memory.)
FRIDAY
Day D
NO CLASS
















WEEK OF DECEMBER 20















MONDAY
Day D
In Class:
• Redistricting
• "The Gerrymandering Game"
HW: Wilson, pp. 253-263 
TUESDAY
Day E




In Class:
• Role of Television
• Voter Behavior
• Effect of elections on policy

WEDNESDAY
Day F
In Class: 
• Exam on Political Parties and Campaigns and Elections
THURSDAY
Day A
In Class:
• TBA
FRIDAY
CHRISTMAS/WINTER BREAK! 
Have a safe, relaxing and fun break--you deserve it!

WEEK OF JANUARY 3














MONDAY
Day B
In Class:
• "This Week" or "Meet the Press"
• Intro. to Special Interest Groups
HW: Wilson, pp. 265-276
TUESDAY
Day C




NO CLASS

WEDNESDAY
Day D
In Class: 
• Kinds of SIGs
• 2 case studies
HW: "The Hyperpluralism Trap" (DUE FRIDAY)
THURSDAY
Day E
In Class:
• Debate: Political Parties
FRIDAY
Day F
In Class:
• Funding of SIGs
• "Webquest" activity
HW: Wilson, 276-286; finish webquest














WEEK OF JANUARY 10
MONDAY
Day A
In Class:
• Discuss webquests
• Activities of interest groups
HW: "Iron Triangles"
TUESDAY
Day B




In Class:
• Special guest: Ronna Wallace to talk about lobbying

WEDNESDAY
Day C
NO CLASS
THURSDAY
Day D
NO CLASS: snow day!
FRIDAY
Day E
In Class:
• Go over "iron triangles"
HW: Wilson, 286-end of chapter. Read the articles below and be ready to discuss the idea of the "Revolving Door"
WEEK OF JANUARY 17
MONDAY
NO SCHOOL
TUESDAY
Day F
• Special Interest Groups Test
WEDNESDAY
Day A




In Class:
• Intro. to Media
• Frontline: News Wars (Part II)
HW: Wilson, Chapter 12, pp. 292-303.
Governing in the Age of Fox News
THURSDAY
Day B




In Class:
• Frontline: News Wars (Part III)
HW: Finish Wilson, Chapter 12; Take home Media test
FRIDAY
Day C
NO CLASS
WEEK OF JANUARY 24
MONDAY
Day D
• Practice Midyear
TUESDAY
Day E
• Review
WEDNESDAY
Day A
MIDYEARS:

Period 1 Exam: 8:15 - 9:45am


Period 2 Exam: 10:00 - 11:30a

THURSDAY
Day B
MIDYEARS: 

Period 3 Exam: 9:45 - 11:15am


Period 4 Exam: 11:30am - 1:00pm

FRIDAY
Day C
MIDYEARS: 

Period 5 Exam: 8:15 - 9:45am


Period 6 Exam: 10:00- 11:30am




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