The Logic of American Politics
Instructor Resources
Video and Multimedia
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Chapter 1. The Logic of American Politics
Video
Crash Course in U.S. Government & Politics Introduction
Questions to Consider:
- What definition of politics is offered in the video? How does it say that politics is defined in the U.S.?
- What forms can political participation take?
- What role does political participation by citizens have in a democracy?
Learning Objective: 1.2 Discuss the ways in which governments are composed of institutions and the qualities of those institutions
Prisoner's Dilemma, Golden Balls:
Questions to Consider:
- The players face the choice between cooperating and splitting the jackpot or choosing the “steal” ball and receiving the entire jackpot. However, if both players choose “steal” neither wins any money. What role does uncertainty play in each player’s individual decision?
- Were you surprised by the outcome? Why or why not? What decision would you have made?
Learning Objective: 1.3 Identify different types of collective action problems
Free-Rider Problem, MA Health Care Mandate:
Governor Romney explains Massachusetts’ health care mandate to voters
Learning Objective: 1.3 Identify different types of collective action problems
Tragedy of the Commons, 2010 Tax Deal with Republicans:
President Obama announces a tax deal with Republicans in 2010
Learning Objective: 1.3 Identify different types of collective action problems
Questions to Consider:
- How might the state of California and the cities suffering water shortages address their tragedy of the commons issue using regulation and/or privatization?
Learning Objective: 1.4 Explain the costs of collective action
Questions to Consider:
- How might the state of Texas and the cities suffering water shortages address their tragedy of the commons issue using regulation and/or privatization?
Learning Objecitve: 1.4 Explain the costs of collective action
Chapter 2. The Constitution
Video
Questions to Consider:
- In what ways did the Articles of Confederation have high transaction costs?
- Using the collective action issues presented in chapter 1 (prisoners dilemma, free rider problem, tragedy of the commons) describe the issues the newly created states were having under the Articles of Confederation.
- Why was the federal government given so little power under the Articles of Confederation? What was this meant to do regarding conformity costs?
Learning Objective: 2.2 Explain how the challenges of collective action under the Articles of Confederation undermined early American independence
Questions to Consider:
- Why must members of Congress consider the President’s preferences when crafting legislation?
- What powers does the Constitution grant Congress to reign in the President’s power?
- How does the judiciary serve as a check on the legislative and executive branches?
Learning Objective: 2.3 Identify the issues the Founders considered when drafting the Constitution
Quesitons to Consider:
- What event triggered a fear of mob rule in the minds of the wealthy landowners in the American states after the revolution?
- What was the original intent of the convention that was called to meet in Philadelphia?
- What were the opponents to the proposed Constitution called and what was their MAIN concern? Identify one person that was in this group
- What was finally included to satisfy demands of the group that initially opposed the proposed Constitution?
Learning Objective: 2.3 Identify the issues the Founders considered when drafting the Constitution; 2.4 Discuss the debates over ratification of the Constitution; 2.6 Identify ways in which U.S. political developments has evolved to address the founders' goals
Learning Objective: 2.5 Summarize the influences of Federalist Nos. 10 and 51 on the underlying theory of the Constitution
Learning Objective: 2.5 Summarize the influences of Federalist Nos. 10 and 51 on the underlying theory of the Constitution
Taxation without Representation
Questions to Consider:
- The concept of “taxation without representation” was one of the driving principles of the American Revolution. Because of its classification as a “federal city” Washington D.C. does not belong to a state. As such, the 650,000 residents of the district do not get to elect senators or a voting member to the House of Representatives. After viewing the video, what do you think? Should Washington D.C. be made a state?
Learning Objective: 2.6 Identify ways in which U.S. political developments has evolved to address the founders' goals
Obama Vetoes the Keystone XL Pipeline
Quesitons to Consider:
- What option does Congress have to respond to President Obama’s veto of the Keystone XL pipeline?
Learning Objective: 2.6 Identify ways in which U.S. political developments has evolved to address the founders' goals
Web Resources
Learning Objective: 2.3 Identify the issues the Founders considered when drafting the Constitution; 2.4 Discuss the debates over ratification of the Constitution.
Summaries and Analysis of the Federalists Papers
Learning Objective: 2.5 Summarize the influences of Federalist Nos. 10 and 51 on the underlying theory of the Constitution
The National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center offers a comprehensive interactive website that allows students to examine the Constitution by specific Articles, Amendments, and even issue areas. The website also includes links of a host of multimedia resources such as videos and podcasts.
Learning Objective: 2.3 Identify the issues the Founders considered when drafting the Constitution; 2.4 Discuss the debates over ratification of the Constitution; 2.5 Summarize the influences of Federalist Nos. 10 and 51 on the underlying theory of the Constitution; 2.6 Identify ways in which U.S. political developments has evolved to address the founders' goals
Teaching American History Website
The Teaching American History website provides a wealth of supplemental materials on the the Constitutional Convention, the debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, Ratification, and the Bill of Rights.
Learning Objective: 2.1 Describe how the colonies’ experience in self-government contributed to their willingness to revolt; 2.2 Explain how the challenges of collective action under the Articles of Confederation undermined early American independence
Chapter 3. Federalism
Audio
Supreme Court's Oral Arguments on Health Care and the Commerce Clause
Learning Objective: 3.2 Identify the kinds of constitutional protections that guard against an overly powerful national government
Multimedia
Federalism and Marijuana Legalization
Learning Objective: 3.4 Explain the ways in which the national government dominates the modern federal system; 3.5 Assess to what extent collective action dilemmas influenced modern federal
Video
Questions to Consider:
- How does the video define dual federalism? Why is it called “layered cake” federalism?
- In what ways did the New Deal change the distribution of power between the states and national government?
- How do grants and aid granted by the federal government encourage the states to cooperate?
- Explain the concept of “marbled cake” or cooperative federalism
Learning Objective: 3.1 Describe federalism and the way it evolved in the United States; 3.4 Explain the ways in which the national government dominates the modern federal system
Gay Marriage Showdown in Alabama
Questions to Consider:
- Given the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution can county probate judges in Alabama choose to ignore the federal court ruling requiring them to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples? Why or why not?
Learning Objective: 3.2 Identify the kinds of constitutional protections that guard against an overly powerful national government
Federalism and the Affordable Care Act
Questions to Consider:
- What legal argument did the Supreme Court majority cite as the reason they upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate?
Learning Objective: 3.3 Discuss the factors contributing to a shift word nationalized public policy
Washington DC and Pot Legalization
Learning Objective: 3.4 Explain the ways in which the national government dominates the modern federal system; 3.5 Assess to what extent collective action dilemmas influenced modern federalism
Libertarian Think Tan Argue that Congress Has Gone Too Far
Learning Objective: 3.4 Explain the ways in which the national government dominates the modern federal system; 3.5 Assess to what extent collective action dilemmas influenced modern federalism
Chapter 4. Civil Rights
Multimedia
Ballotpedia's Interactive Map of State Voter ID Laws
Learning Objective: 4.1 Define civil rights; 4.5 Assess the role of collective action efforts in the civil rights movement
Same-Sex Marraige in the States Interactive Map
Learning Objectives: 4.4 Explain the legacy of the civil rights movement for groups such as women, Hispanics, and members of the LGBT community
Video
Learning Objective: 4.1 Define civil rights; 4.5 Assess the role of collective action efforts in the civil rights movement
Brown v Board of Education and Separate but Equal
Learning Objective: 4.3 Discuss the political efforts to seek civil rights for African Americans from the nineteenth century to the present day
Integration of Little Rock Central High School
Learning Objective: 4.3 Discuss the political efforts to seek civil rights for African Americans from the nineteenth century to the present day
Learning Objective: 4.3 Discuss the political efforts to seek civil rights for African Americans from the nineteenth century to the present day
March from Selma to Montgomery
Learning Objective: 4.3 Discuss the political efforts to seek civil rights for African Americans from the nineteenth century to the present day
Learning Objectives: 4.4 Explain the legacy of the civil rights movement for groups such as women, Hispanics, and members of the LGBT community
Learning Objective: 4.4 Explain the legacy of the civil rights movement for groups such as women, Hispanics, and members of the LGBT community
Training Arizona's immigration enforcement:
Learning Objective: 4.4 Explain the legacy of the civil rights movement for groups such as women, Hispanics, and members of the LGBT community
Learning Objective: 4.1 Define civil rights; 4.5 Assess the role of collective action efforts in the civil rights movement
The Colbert Report: Voter ID Laws
Learning Objective: 4.1 Define civil rights; 4.5 Assess the role of collective action efforts in the civil rights movemen
The Daily Show: NYC’s Stop & Frisk Policy
Learning Objective: 4.3 Discuss the political efforts to seek civil rights for African Americans from the nineteenth century to the present day
Web Resources
The History.com Civil Rights database contains a wealth of historical video footage and short video clips that allow the instructor to bring civil rights events from the 1960s to life. Also included is a speech archive.
Learning Objective: 4.3 Discuss the political efforts to seek civil rights for African Americans from the nineteenth century to the present day
Chapter 5. Civil Liberties
Video
Learning Objective: 5.1 Describe what factors contributed to the nationalization of civil liberties in the United States
Learning Objective: 5.2 Identify the steps that provided civil liberties protections under the Constitution
Learning Objective: 5.2 Identify the steps that provided civil liberties protections under the Constitution
Should there be limits on Free Speech?
Learning Objective: 5.3 Explain the protections and limitations of freedom of speech
Freedom of the Press in the U.S.
Learning Objective: 5.4 Discuss the role of freedom of the press in U.S. society
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Hobby Lobby
Learning Objective: 5.5 Summarize common issues raised regarding freedom of religion; 5.9 Discuss the historical evolution of civil liberties and contemporary debates related to them
Selective Incorporation of the Second Amendment
Learning Objective: 5.6 Describe the different positions in the debate over gun rights
Supreme Court and Lethal Injection
Learning Objective: 5.7 Identify the four constitutional provisions for criminal rights
Learning Objective: 5.8 Relate how the Supreme Court came to recognize a right to privacy
SCOTUS Rules Cellphone Searches Require Warrant
Learning Objective: 5.8 Relate how the Supreme Court came to recognize a right to privacy
Learning Objective: 5.8 Relate how the Supreme Court came to recognize a right to privacy; 5.9 Discuss the historical evolution of civil liberties and contemporary debates related to them
Civil Liberties in Technological Change
Learning Objective: 5.9 Discuss the historical evolution of civil liberties and contemporary debates related to them
Inside the Mind of Edward Snowden
Learning Objective: 5.2 Identify the steps that provided civil liberties protections under the Constitution; 5.3 Explain the protections and limitations of freedom of speech; 5.7 Identify the four constitutional provisions for criminal rights; 5.8 Relate how the Supreme Court came to recognize a right to privacy; 5.9 Discuss the historical evolution of civil liberties and contemporary debates related to them
Web Resources
Learning Objective: 5.4 Discuss the role of freedom of the press in U.S. society
Religious Liberty Landmark Cases
Learning Objective: 5.5 Summarize common issues raised regarding freedom of religion
Why won't the President rein in the intelligence community?
Learning Objective: 5.8 Relate how the Supreme Court came to recognize a right to privacy
Learning Objective: 5.8 Relate how the Supreme Court came to recognize a right to privacy
Chapter 6. Congress
Multimedia
Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify the factors that create advantages and disadvantages in congressional electoral politics
America’s Most Gerrymandered Congressional Districts
Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify the factors that create advantages and disadvantages in congressional electoral politics
What is Congressional Dysfunction?
Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify the factors that create advantages and disadvantages in congressional electoral politics; 6.4 Explain six basic problems of legislative organization; 6.5 Relate the institutional structures in the House and Senate that help members overcome barriers to collective action
Video
Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe the requirements and powers of Congress and how the congressional electoral system works
Questions to Consider:
- What are the historical reasons that the Founding fathers settled on a bicameral legislature?
- What are the practical reasons the Founding fathers settled on a bicameral legislature?
Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe the requirements and powers of Congress and how the congressional electoral system works
Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe the requirements and powers of Congress and how the congressional electoral system works
Questions to Consider:
- Describe the important role that lobbyists play in the legislative process?
- Why is lobbying reform difficult to pass?
Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify the factors that create advantages and disadvantages in congressional electoral politics
Lawmakers? Lobbyists? Or Too Close to Call?
Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify the factors that create advantages and disadvantages in congressional electoral politics
Year of the Woman in Congress? Not So Fast
Learning Objective: 6.3 Discuss the racial and ethnic makeup of Congress
50 Richest Members of Congress for 2014
Learning Objective: 6.3 Discuss the racial and ethnic makeup of Congress
Questions to Consider:
- What does the statement “that’s not the voters choosing their representatives, that’s the representatives choosing their voters” refer to?
- Explain the redistricting technique called “scorpions in the bottle.”
- Why do partisan gerrymanders encourage ideological extremism?
Learning Objective: 6.5 Relate the institutional structures in the House and Senate that help members overcome barriers to collective action; 6.6 Describe what influences public opinion about Congress and its performance
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Takes on ALEC
Learning Objective: 6.5 Relate the institutional structures in the House and Senate that help members overcome barriers to collective action; 6.6 Describe what influences public opinion about Congress and its performances
NBC News Taking the Hill: Inside Congress
Learning Objective: 6.5 Relate the institutional structures in the House and Senate that help members overcome barriers to collective action; 6.6 Describe what influences public opinion about Congress and its performances
Web Resources
Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe the requirements and powers of Congress and how the congressional electoral system works
Demographics of the 114th Congress
Learning Objective: 6.3 Discuss the racial and ethnic makeup of Congress
Learning Objective: 6.6 Describe what influences public opinion about Congress and its performance
Help! We’re living in Hell and Don’t Know How to Get Out
Learning Objective: 6.6 Describe what influences public opinion about Congress and its performances
Chapter 7. The Presidency
Video
Questions to Consider:
- What are the qualifications to be president laid out in Article II of the Constitution?
- If the Electoral College ends up in a tie, how is the tie broken?
- What constitutional justification does the president usually rely on when he takes actions that circumvent Congress’ power to declare war?
- What are implied powers?
- Describe the president’s role in the legislative process
Learning Objective: 7.1 Describe the historical role of the presidency.
US History: Terrorism, War, and Bush 43
Learning Objective: 7.1 Describe the historical role of the presidency.
Questions to Consider:
- Has President Obama scaled back the unitary powers of the presidency put into place by his predecessor George W. Bush?
- How did the financial crisis during the presidential election in 2008 affect President Obama’s first years in office?
- What role did health care reform play in fostering animosity between President Obama and congressional Democrats and the Republicans in Congress?
Learning Objective: 7.1 Describe the historical role of the presidency.
Questions to Consider:
- Who gave the order for the Navy Seals to conduct the Bin Laden raid? Would the decision to move forward been harder or easier to make if it required more than one person to agree?
Learning Objective: 7.2 Discuss the modern presidency’s roles, powers, and challenges.
Obama Presses Case for Iran Nuclear Deal
Questions to Consider:
- What does President Obama hope to achieve by “going public” and describing the framework for his Iran nuclear deal to the American public?
Learning Objective: 7.2 Discuss the modern presidency’s roles, powers, and challenges.
Blaming Congress, Obama Readies Unilateral Action on Immigration
Questions to Consider:
- What argument does President Obama make regarding why he is taking unitary action on the issue of immigration?
- What executive branch “tool” does President Obama rely on to conduct this unitary action?
Learning Objective: 7.2 Discuss the modern presidency’s roles, powers, and challenges.
Questions to Consider:
- What constitutional argument does the Bush’s Office of Legal Counsel present to justify unitary executive actions taken in the response to 9/11?
- What are some of the unitary actions taken by President Bush discussed in the movie?
Learning Objective: 7.2 Discuss the modern presidency’s roles, powers, and challenges.
SNL takes on Obama for use of executive actions
Learning Objective: 7.3 Explain the dilemma of the president as a strategic actor.
The Colbert Report: Obama’s Executive Amnesty
Learning Objective: 7.3 Explain the dilemma of the president as a strategic actor.
Web Resources
Learning Objective: 7.1 Describe the historical role of the presidency.
Texas Leads Multistate Coalition in Lawsuit over Obama Immigration Order
Learning Objective: 7.2 Discuss the modern presidency’s roles, powers, and challenges.
Chapter 8. The Bureaucracy
Video
Federal Bureaucracy Organization
Questions to Consider:
- What role does the federal bureaucracy play in the government?
- What are some of the features of the federal bureaucracy?
- Who is responsible for overseeing the federal bureaucracy?
Learning Objective: 8.1 Describe the development of the federal bureaucracy over time.
Questions to Consider:
- What does the statement describing the bureaucracy as “where the policy in writing meets the policy in action” mean?
- Who are bureaucrats and what does it mean to say that they are meant to serve the president’s policy needs rather than his political needs?
- What role does the president’s cabinet play in the executive branch? How are cabinet members selected?
Learning Objective: 8.2 Relate when the federal government grows most quickly, and why.
Visualizing the Growth of Federal Regulation Since 1950
Questions to Consider:
- How has regulations such as financial regulations and environmental regulations contributed to the growth in the size of government over the past 50 years?
Learning Objective: 8.2 Relate when the federal government grows most quickly, and why.
Homeland Security Department Creation Announcement
Questions to Consider:
- What reasons does President Bush cite for creating the Department of Homeland Security?
- What are some of the already existing agencies that brought into the Department Homeland Security?
- How might combining intelligence and security agencies under one larger agency help the government prevent acts of terrorism? Does the creation of the Department of Homeland Security lowers transaction costs, or raise them? Why or why not?
Learning Objective: 8.2 Relate when the federal government grows most quickly, and why.
A Breakdown of Secret Service Scandals
Learning Objective: 8.3 Explain the bureaucracy’s culture and the challenges it faces.
Questions to Consider:
- Why is institutional reform of large bureaucracies so difficult to achieve?
- How much fault should lie with the president for the VA hospital scandals? Defend your answer
Learning Objective: 8.3 Explain the bureaucracy’s culture and the challenges it faces.
The Daily Show: Rand Paul Interview
Learning Objective: 8.3 Explain the bureaucracy’s culture and the challenges it faces.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Translators
Learning Objective: 8.3 Explain the bureaucracy’s culture and the challenges it faces.
Internal Revenue Service Oversight
Learning Objective: 8.4 Identify the tools that Congress and the president use to control bureaucracies.
How Bureaucracy and Red Tape can Lead to Better Innovations
Learning Objective: 8.5 Discuss why red tape is often an important check on the operation of massive bureaucracies.
Learning Objective: 8.5 Discuss why red tape is often an important check on the operation of massive bureaucracies.
Web Resources
Richard Cordray CFPB Confirmation Imperiled By Senate Republicans, Again
Learning Objective: 8.4 Identify the tools that Congress and the president use to control bureaucracies.
Chapter 9. The Federal Courts
Video
U.S. Constitution: Definition and the Judicial Review of Marbury v. Madison
Learning Objective: 9.1 Explain how the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review was established.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Judicial Elections
Learning Objective: 9.1 Explain how the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review was established; 9.2 Identify characteristics of the three eras of judicial review exercised by the Court.
Questions to Consider:
- How much power did the Congress have in designing the federal judiciary?
- Where in Article III is the Court’s judicial review power outlined?
Learning Objective: 9.3 Describe the structure of the federal judiciary.
Learning Objective: 9.3 Describe the structure of the federal judiciary.
Why are Supreme Court justices appointed for life?
Questions to Consider:
- Why did the Framers design the federal judiciary providing life time appointments for federal justices and judges?
- How might judicial decision making be different if federal judges were elected?
- What do you think? Do you think the Supreme Court’s decision in the Affordable Care Act discussed in Chapter 8 might have come out differently if the Supreme Court justices were elected? Why or why not?
Learning Objective: 9.3 Describe the structure of the federal judiciary.
Judicial Activism versus Judicial Restraint
Questions to Consider:
- What do you think? Do you think that our personal opinion and preferences regarding a Supreme Court case sways whether we see the decision as an act of judicial activism or not?
Learning Objective 9.5 Discuss the Supreme Court’s place in the separation of powers and the role of principal-agent theory.
Learning Objective: 9.6 Assess to what extent the Supreme Court’s judicial review is checked by other branches of the government.
Justice Clarence Thomas on Judicial Review
Learning Objective: 9.6 Assess to what extent the Supreme Court’s judicial review is checked by other branches of the government.
Web Resources
Learning Objective: 9.1 Explain how the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review was established.
Learning Objective: 9.4 Relate the judicial decision-making process.
Racial and Gender Diversity of Obama Judicial Appointees
Questions to Consider:
- Why might it be desirable for presidents to nominate women and racial or ethnic minorities to the federal judiciary?
Learning Objective: 9.4 Relate the judicial decision-making process.
Supreme Court of the United States
Learning Objective: 9.5 Discuss the Supreme Court’s place in the separation of powers and the role of principal-agent theory.
Chapter 10. Public Opinion
Data
Political Polarization in the American Public
Learning Objective: 10.2 Describe the ways that public opinion can be measured.
Learning Objective: 10.6 Relate the role that group difference such as gender and race can have on public opinion.
Multimedia
Learning Objective: 10.2 Describe the ways that public opinion can be measured.
The Political Compass Political Typology Test
Learning Objective: 10.2 Describe the ways that public opinion can be measured.
Video
Pros and Cons of Public Opinion Polls
Questions to Consider:
- Why is sampling so important in public opinion polls?
- What is a push poll?
Learning Objective: 10.2 Describe the ways that public opinion can be measured.
Learning Objective: 10.3 Explain six elements that contribute to the forming of opinion.
Learning Objective: 10.3 Explain six elements that contribute to the forming of opinion.
What’s Behind the Shift in Public Opinion over Gay Marriage?
Questions to Consider:
- What is the main demographic group driving the change in public opinion on the gay marriage issue? What are some reasons cited to explain why this group is more supportive?
- What do you think? Do you think the public is leading the politicians on the issue of gay marriage or do you think the politicians are leading the public? Is there a difference on this between Republicans and Democrats?
- The video argues that individuals that are conflicted between their moral/religious beliefs and their sense of fairness are the most susceptible to responding to the wording in the poll. Why might this be the case?
- How should a question that seeks to accurately measure a respondent’s support for gay marriage be worded?
Learning Objective: 10.4 Discuss to what extent public opinion is meaningful.
Does Public Opinion Influence the Decision-Making of Judges?
Questions to Consider:
- How much consideration do Supreme Court justices give to the public’s opinion on an issue when the Supreme Court is deciding a case according to Justice Breyer?
Learning Objective: 10.5 Summarize the role of consensus in politics and policy issues.
How Did American Politics Become So Polarized?
Questions to Consider:
- What are some factors cited by Alan Abramowtiz as evidence that the American public is politically polarized?
- What do you think? Do you think getting more people involved in politics and voting would help or hurt political polarization? Why or why not?
Learning Objective: 10.5 Summarize the role of consensus in politics and policy issues.
How Are Conservative and Liberal Brains Different?
Questions to Consider:
- What do you think? Reflecting on your own political ideology how well do your personality traits and behavioral preferences align with your own political ideology?
- Evaluate the claim of a physiological basis of conservative and liberal political ideologies. What other non-physiological factors might be affecting an individual’s ideological preferences?
Learning Objective: 10.6 Relate the role that group differences such as gender and race can have on public opinion.
Web Resources
The Conservative and Liberal Brain
Learning Objective: 10.1 Define public opinion.
Learning Objective: 10.2 Describe the ways that public opinion can be measured.
Learning Objective: 10.2 Describe the ways that public opinion can be measured.
Learning Objective: 10.2 Describe the ways that public opinion can be measured.
Learning Objective: 10.2 Describe the ways that public opinion can be measured.
Learning Objective: 10.2 Describe the ways that public opinion can be measured.
Chapter 11. Voting, Campaigns, and Elections
Data
Learning Objective: 11.4 Summarize the role of campaigns in elections.
Multimedia
270 to Win Interactive Electoral College Map
Learning Objective: 11.1 Explain the logic of elections in a democracy.
Learning Objective: 11.1 Explain the logic of elections in a democracy.
Learning Objective: 11.4 Summarize the role of campaigns in elections.
Washington Post 2012 Presidential Campaign Finance Explorer
Learning Objective: 11.4 Summarize the role of campaigns in elections.
How Stephen Colbert Taught America About Super PACs
Learning Objective: 11.4 Summarize the role of campaigns in elections.
Video
Learning Objective: 11.1 Explain the logic of elections in a democracy; 11.4 Summarize the role of campaigns in elections.
The U.S. Electoral College, Explained
Learning Objective: 11.1 Explain the logic of elections in a democracy.
Gary Jacobson previews the 2014 Congressional Elections
Questions to Consider:
- What are some attributes that make individuals more likely to be voters?
- Identify some of the institutional factors affecting turnout discussed in the video
Learning Objective: 11.3 Discuss the factors that affect how people vote.
Learning Objective: 11.3 Discuss the factors that affect how people vote.
Questions to Consider:
- What do you think? Should more states and cities adopt drive through voting? What other methods could be used to encourage more people to vote?
Learning Objective: 11.3 Discuss the factors that affect how people vote.
Oregon passes automatic voter registration
Questions to Consider:
- What do you think? Should all residents of Oregon be automatically registered to vote when they receive their licenses? Do you think that this institutional change will have a positive effect on turnout in elections in Oregon?
Learning Objective: 11.3 Discuss the factors that affect how people vote.
Web Resources
Learning Objective: 11.1 Explain the logic of elections in a democracy.
Learning Objective: 11.2 Describe how different segments of American society obtained the right to vote.
Statutes Enforced by the Voting Section
Learning Objective: 11.2 Describe how different segments of American society obtained the right to vote.
Learning Objective: 11.2 Describe how different segments of American society obtained the right to vote.
Justice Department Voting Rights Proposal for Native Americans
Learning Objective: 11.2 Describe how different segments of American society obtained the right to vote.
Learning Objective: 11.4 Summarize the role of campaigns in elections.
Election conspiracy theories, an American staple
Learning Objective: 11.5 Relate the principal-agent theory as it applies to elections.
Accountability and Principal-Agent Models
Learning Objective: 11.5 Relate the principal-agent theory as it applies to elections.
Chapter 12. The Political Parties
Multimedia
Learning Objective: 12.1 Describe the origins of political parties and their basic features.
Learning Objective: 12.1 Describe the origins of political parties and their basic features.
How Birth Year Influences Political Views
Learning Objective 12.4 Assess modern parties’ influence and effectiveness as a vehicle for politicians and voters to act collectively within the established institutional framework.
Video
Questions to Consider:
- What factors trigger the southern realignment?
Learning Objective: 12.1 Describe the origins of political parties and their basic features.
Christian Right and the Tea Party in the 2012 Republican Primaries
Questions to Consider:
- How is the influence of the Christian Right reelected in the Republican Party platform?
Learning Objective 12.2 Summarize the development and evolution of the party systems.
Questions to Consider:
- What do you think? Is Occupy Wall Street similar in focus and influence for the Democratic Party as the Tea Party is for the Republican Party? What are some of the key differences?
Learning Objective 12.2 Summarize the development and evolution of the party systems.
Learning Objective 12.3 Discuss the revival of partisanship over the last two decades and how modern parties are structured.
Questions to Consider:
- What are some factors that influence an individual’s party identification?
- What can be said about most people who identify themselves as Independents?
Learning Objective 12.3 Discuss the revival of partisanship over the last two decades and how modern parties are structured.
Learning Objective 12.4 Assess modern parties’ influence and effectiveness as a vehicle for politicians and voters to act collectively within the established institutional framework.
Web Resources
Political Parties in the United States
Learning Objective 12.3 Discuss the revival of partisanship over the last two decades and how modern parties are structured.
Republic Party Assess How to Widen its Appeal
- Learning Objective 12.4 Assess modern parties’ influence and effectiveness as a vehicle for politicians and voters to act collectively within the established institutional framework.
Chapter 13. Interest groups
Multimedia
Learning Objective 13.2 Summarize the historical development of organized lobbying in the United States.
Video
What is Lobbying and Can it Be Good?
Learning Objective 13.1 Define lobbying and its role in the political process.
PBS Frontline: Gunned Down: The Power of the NRA
Questions to Consider:
- Why is the NRA so successful in influencing Congress on the issue of gun control
Learning Objective 13.3: Explain why contemporary interest groups have proliferated.
The Daily Show: Division of Power, Interest Groups
Learning Objective 13.4: Distinguish between different types of interest group activities.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Takes on the American Legislative Exchange Council
Questions to Consider:
- What do you think? As John Oliver explains in the video the American Legislative Exchange Council has become increasingly influential, particularly at the state level. Is the use of this interest group to promote “model bills” good or bad for democracy?
Learning Objective 13.5: Debate the role of interest groups in American politics.
Backlash grows to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Learning Objective 13.5: Debate the role of interest groups in American politics.
Web Resources
Learning Objective 13.2 Summarize the historical development of organized lobbying in the United States.
This is How Uber Takes Over a City
Learning Objective 13.3: Explain why contemporary interest groups have proliferated.
Learning Objective 13.4 Distinguish between different types of interest group activities
Learning Objective 13.4: Distinguish between different types of interest group activities.
Chapter 14. The Media
Data
Learning Objective 14.4 Identify the ways in which news is a product of politics.
Video
Learning Objective 14.1: Summarize the development of the news business and technology.
The Daily Show: Indecision 2012, Ron Paul and the Top Tier
Questions to Consider:
- What do you think? In this Daily Show clip John Stewart argues that by refusing to acknowledge Ron Paul’s strong showing in the polls in Iowa the media is actually affecting the presidential primary race by framing Ron Paul as not being a serious candidate. What do you think of this claim? What affect might it have on Ron Paul’s campaign if the media covered the poll standings more accurately?
Learning Objective 14.3: Explain how the news media may be considered the “fourth branch” of government as a result of its role in the collective action problem of monitoring elected leaders.
The Daily Show: End of CNN Investigative Journalism
Questions to Consider:
- What do you think? Is there a need for investigative journalism? What role does investigative journalism play in the media’s role as the Fourth Branch?
Learning Objective 14.3: Explain how the news media may be considered the “fourth branch” of government as a result of its role in the collective action problem of monitoring elected leaders.
Meet the Press: Discussion of Iraq War Propaganda and the Role of the Media
Questions to Consider:
- What responsibility for the decision to go into Iraq, if any, does the panel assign to the American media?
Learning Objective 14.4: Identify the ways in which news is a product of politics.
Partisan Media and Polarization
Questions to Consider:
- In what ways does Levendusky argue partisan media such as cable news shows and political blogs contribute to political polarization?
Learning Objective 14.4: Identify the ways in which news is a product of politics.
Politicians vs. Reporters: The Highlights
Learning Objective 14.5: Describe the relationship between politicians and reporters.
Meet the Press: The Internet’s Impact on the Political Press
Learning Objective 14.6: Contrast historical and contemporary politician-press relations.
The American News Media: Biased and Overly Simplistic
Questions to Consider:
- What evidence does the video’s host cite to support his claim that the American media is “biased and overly simplistic”?
- What reasons does he cite to explain why most American media fail to cover many international news and perspectives?
- What do you think? How might the lack of quality media coverage be affecting the political environment in the U.S.?
Learning Objective 14.6: Contrast historical and contemporary politician-press relations.
Web Resources
Learning Objective 14.1: Summarize the development of the news business and technology.
Newsies, Techies, and that Troublesome Term “Product”
Learning Objective 14.2: Discuss the ways in which news is a consumer product and how that influences the news.
The Washington Post Becomes an Amazon Product
Learning Objective 14.2: Discuss the ways in which news is a consumer product and how that influences the news.
Learning Objective 14.3 Explain how the news media may be considered the “fourth branch” of government as a result of its role in the collective action problem of monitoring elected leaders.
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
Learning Objective 14.3 Explain how the news media may be considered the “fourth branch” of government as a result of its role in the collective action problem of monitoring elected leaders.
Bill Clinton’s Candid Views of the Political Press
Learning Objective 14.5: Describe the relationship between politicians and reporters.
Learning Objective 14.6: Contrast historical and contemporary politician-press relations.
How the New Washington Stifles a New Political Press
Learning Objective 14.6: Contrast historical and contemporary politician-press relations.
Chapter 15. Is There a Logic to American Policy?
Data
Federal Tax System Seen in Need of Overhaul
Learning Objective 15.5: Discuss the collective action challenges to achieving meaningful tax reform.
Video
Learning Objective: 15.1 Describe how free riding influences U.S. health care reform efforts.
Questions to Consider:
- What techniques do interest groups seeking to derail action on climate change use to delay action?
Learning Objective 15.2: Explain how the tragedy of the commons complicates nations’ attempts to address climate change.
Learning Objective 15.4: Relate the ways that entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security are subject to the prisoner’s dilemma.
Web Resources
Key Features of the Affordable Care Act
Learning Objective: 15.1 Describe how free riding influences U.S. health care reform efforts.
Learning Objective 15.5: Discuss the collective action challenges to achieving meaningful tax reform.