Title: Advanced Placement United States History
Author: FPS
Last saved by: Mark Tomecko
Company: Fairview Park Schools

Advanced Placement United States Government
Unit 4: Interest Groups and Political Parties
Chapters 15, 11.1-11.3, and 11.5-11.6 in the O’Connor text

The AP student’s primary responsibility is to read each day’s assigned section of the textbook and to have a solid grasp of the main ideas, concepts, and terminology in that section.  Each class period may begin with a quiz that evaluates the student’s understanding of the material.  The teacher’s role is to clarify the significance of the readings, concepts, and terms and to facilitate a discussion of the material that enhances student understanding.  If the student does not fully understand a term or concept, he/she must ask in class.

In preparation for class on… | Topic | Pages | Main Ideas, Concepts, and Terminology | Other

Fri, Dec 2

Roots of American Interest Groups

15.1-15.2

interest groups
Explain the differences between public-interest, economic-interest,
   and governmental interest groups.
How has membership in interest groups changed since the rise of TV &
   the Internet? (see pp. 422-424)
lobbyist
trade associations
Summarize the evolving status of labor unions over the last 100 years,
   esp. noting their ability to influence politics.

Mon, Dec 5

Interest Group Activities

15.3

What are some good and bad effects of interest groups? (see p. 433)
lobbying / lobbyist
Describe several ways interest groups lobby Congress.
Describe several ways interest groups lobby the executive branch.
Describe several ways interest groups lobby the courts (direct
   sponsorship, amicus briefs).
grassroots lobbying
Describe the four major election activities of interest groups.

Tue, Dec 6 | | | |

Wed, Dec 7

Interest Group Success

15.4

Describe how each of the following contribute to interest-group
   success: leaders, funding/patrons, members.
Who is more likely to join an interest group?  Why?
free-rider problem

Thu, Dec 8

Regulating Interest Groups

15.5

What are some concerns people have about lobbyists and lobbying?
Lobbying Disclosure Act (1995)
Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (2007)

Fri, Dec 9 | | | NHS Retreat Day |

Mon, Dec 12

Roots of the Two-Party System

11.1

political party
political machines
How and why have parties weakened in the modern era?
How has politics become more candidate-centered?
party realignments
critical elections

Tue, Dec 13

Party Organization

11.2

national party chairperson
national committee (DNC/RNC)
national convention, delegates, superdelegates
think tanks

Wed, Dec 14

Party Activities

11.3

Describe several activities of political parties.
national party platform
Describe the parties’ roles in organizing government.
Explain several ways the parties further unity, linkage, and
   accountability.

Thu, Dec 15 | | | | MID-UNIT 4 QUIZ
Fri, Dec 16 – Tue, Dec 20 | | | MIDTERM EXAMS |
Wed, Dec 21 – Mon, Jan 2 | | | Christmas Break |

Tue, Jan 3

Minor Parties

11.5

Why/how do minor parties form?
Describe several barriers to minor-party success.
single-member-district plurality system (winner-take-all) vs. proportional
   representation

Wed, Jan 4 | | | |

Thu, Jan 5

Party Polarization

11.6

partisan polarization (partisanship)
Why does it appear that American parties (if not Americans
   themselves) are politically polarized?
What are the consequences of political polarization?

Fri, Jan 6 | | | | UNIT 4 TEST