AP Government Schedule
Units 2-3: Linkage Institutions (6-11)
Students will understand the mechanisms of transmitting interests to government action, including
interest groups, political action committees, and mass media; the role of media coverage and the press
on elections and government actions; the different historical and ideological beliefs of political parties;
demographic groups in the U.S. and their political beliefs; and ways of understanding political beliefs
and behavior.
Students will also become familiar with the workings of the electoral process; the role of money and
interest groups on campaigns; the laws governing elections; and the way individual campaigns operate
on the local, state, and national level.
Day of
Week
Wed/Mon
Unit 2 Lesson 1
Political Beliefs
& Behaviors
Tue/Wed
Unit 2 Lesson 2
Political Beliefs
& Behaviors
Thurs/Fri
Date / Topic
Oct. 26-31, 2011
Hacking Democracy
Chapter 6
Nov. 1-2, 2011
Americans
Political Socialization
Chapter 6
Nov. 3-4, 2011
Unit 2 Lesson 3
Political Beliefs
& Behaviors
Mon/Tues
Unit 2 Lesson 4
Public Opinion &
Political Ideologies
Chapter 6
Nov. 7-8, 2011
Nomination Game
Chapter 9
Political Beliefs
& Behaviors
Wed/Thurs
Unit 2 Lesson 5
Political Beliefs
& Behaviors
Mon/Tues
Nov. 9-10, 2011
The Price of Victory
Chapter 9
Nov. 14-15, 2011
Unit 2 Lesson 6
Political Beliefs
& Behaviors
Price of Victory (cont.)
Chapter 9
Outline of Activities
Assignment:
Identify three (3) problems identified in the documentary; then
explain three (3) solution to each specified problem – 30 pts
Lecture:
 Hacking Democracy
Homework:
 Read Chapter 6 (pp. 172-192)
Entry Task: Political Quiz – 33 pts
Lecture:
 American Political Socialization (pp. 172-183)
Homework:
 Read Chapter 6 (pp. 192-205)

Lecture:
Political Ideologies and Participation (pp. 183-205)
Homework:
 Study for Quiz (Review Ch. 6 Key Concepts & Terms)
 Read Chapter 9 (pp. 266-278)

Assignment:
M/C QUIZ: Chapter 6 Key Concepts & Terms – 30 pts
Lecture/Activity:
 Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington
Homework:
 Read Ch 9 (pp. 278-295)

Lecture:
Finish “Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington?”
Activity:
 Nomination Game (pp 266-281)
Homework:
 Read Ch 10 (pp. 296-305)
Lecture:
 “My Fellow Americans”
Activity:
 Identify 15 Stereotypes of the Two Major Political Parties
Homework:
 Read Chapter 10 (pp. 306-315)

AP Government
Unit 2-3 Schedules
Page 2 of 9
Day of
Week
Date / Topic
Wed/Thurs
Nov. 16-17, 2011
Unit 2 Lesson 7
Political Beliefs
& Behaviors
Fri/Mon
Unit 2 Lesson 8
Political Beliefs
& Behaviors
Tues-Tues
Nominations
& Campaigns
Chapter 9
Nov. 18-21, 2011
Choosing to Vote
Chapter 10
Nov. 22-29, 2011
Unit 2 Lesson 9
Political Beliefs,
Behaviors &
Elections
Wednesday
Unit 2 Lesson 9
Political Beliefs,
Behaviors &
Elections
Thurs/Fri
Unit 2 Lesson 10
Political Beliefs,
Behaviors &
Elections
The Electoral College
Chapter 10
Outline of Activities
Lecture:
Nominations & Campaigns (pp. 266-295)
Homework:
 Read Chapter 10 (pp. 315-321)
 Notebook: Clipping #5 – 25 pts

Entry Task:
Share Clipping #5 - 10 pts (participation)
Lecture:
 History of Elections & Voting (pp. 296-305)
Homework:
 Prepare for Unit 2 Test
Lecture:
 The Electoral College (pp. 315-321)
Activity:
 The Electoral Map
Homework:
 Prepare for Unit 2 Test

November 30, 2011
Reading Period
REVIEW
The Electoral College
Chapter 10
Dec. 1-2, 2011
Unit 2
Political Beliefs
AND
Behaviors
UNIT 2 TEST (Chapters 1-3 AND 6, 9, 10):
60 Multiple Choice Questions (60 pts)
 2 Essay Questions (60 pts)
Homework:
 Read Chapter 8 (pp. 236-242)

END OF FIRST TRIMESTER
Mon/Tues
Unit 3 Lesson 1
Political Beliefs,
Interest Groups &
Mass Media
Wed/Thurs
Unit 3 Lesson 2
Interest Groups &
Mass Media
Fri/Mon
Unit 3 Lesson 3
Political Beliefs,
Interest Groups &
Mass Media
Dec. 5-6, 2011
Political Stereotypes
Chapter 8
Dec. 7-8, 2011
The Party System
Chapter 8
Dec. 9-12, 2011
Party Eras in
American History
Chapter 8
Lecture:
Party Organization (pp. 236-247)
Homework:
 Read Ch 8 (pp. 242-256)

Lecture:
Party Eras & Third Parties (pp. 247-265)
Homework:
 Notebook: Clipping #21 – 25 pts
 Read Ch 8 (pp. 256-265)

Entry Task: Share Clipping #21 - 10 pts (participation)
Lecture:
 Party Eras & Third Parties (pp. 247-265)
Homework:
 Study for Test (Review Ch. 8 Key Concepts & Terms)
 Read Ch 9 (pp. 266-278)
AP Government
Unit 2-3 Schedules
Page 3 of 9
Day of
Week
Tue/Wed
Date / Topic
Dec. 13-14, 2011
Unit 3 Lesson 4
Interest Groups &
Mass Media
Thurs/Fri
Unit 3 Lesson 5
Nomination Game
Chapter 8
Dec. 15-16, 2011
Chapter 8
Political Beliefs,
Interest Groups &
Mass Media
Mon-Wed
Dec. 19-21, 2011
Thurs/Fri
Jan. 5-6, 2012
Unit 3 Lesson 6
Interest Groups &
Mass Media
Mon/Tue
Lobbying Influences
Inside / Outside
Chapter 11
Jan. 9-10, 2012
Unit 3 Lesson 7
Interest Groups &
Mass Media
Wed/Thurs
Unit 3 Lesson 8
Interest Groups &
Mass Media
Fri/Tue
Lobbyist Policy Shaping
Chapter 11
Jan. 11-12, 2012
Politics of America’s
News Media
Chapters 7
Jan. 13-17, 2012
Unit 3 Lesson 9
Interest Groups &
Mass Media
Wed/Thurs
News Media
Linking Performance
Chapters 7
Jan. 18-19, 2012
Unit 3 Lesson 10
Interest Groups &
Mass Media
News Media
Linking Performance
Chapters 7
Friday
January 20, 2011
Mon/Tues
AP
GOVERNMENT
Jan. 23-24, 2011
ASSESSMENT
UNITS 1-3
Outline of Activities
Lecture:
Party Eras & Third Parties (pp. 247-265)
Homework:
 Read Ch 11 (pp. 322-332)

Assignment:
M/C QUIZ: Chapter 8 Key Concepts & Terms – 30 pts
Lecture:
 The Many Faces of Interest Groups (pp. 332-338)
Homework:
 Read Ch 11 (pp. 332-338)
 Notebook: Clipping #22 – 25 pts

Government Carols
Entry Task:
Share Clipping #22 - 10 pts (participation)
Lecture:
 The Many Faces of Interest Groups (pp. 332-338)
Homework:
 Read Ch 11 (pp. 333-351)
Lecture:
 The Many Faces of Interest Groups (pp. 338-351)
Homework:
 Read Chapter 7 (pp. 206-220)
 Study for Quiz (Review Ch. 11 Key Concepts & Terms)
Entry Task:
 M/C QUIZ: Chapter 11 Key Concepts & Terms – 30 pts
Lecture:
 The Many Faces of the News Media (pp. 206-220)
Homework:
 Read Chapter 7 (pp. 220-235)
Lecture:
 Roles of the News Media (pp. 220-235)
Homework:
 Notebook: Clipping #23 – 25 pts

Entry Task:
Share Clipping #23 - 10 pts (participation)
Lecture:
 Thank You Mr. President - Documentary

Reading Period
REVIEW
UNIT TEST (Chapters 1-3 AND 6-11):
 60 Multiple Choice Questions (60 pts)
 2 Essay Questions (60 pts)
Homework:
Read Chapter 12 (pp. 352-363)
AP Government
Unit 2-3 Schedules
Page 4 of 9
*Students should be prepared for ALL events regardless of what is noted on this calendar. This calendar is only a
guideline – NOT an absolute. BE READY FOR UNNANOUNCED DAILY READING QUIZZES!
Chapter 6 Learning Objectives:






Describe how demographic factors shape who we are politically.
Identify the processes through which people learn about politics.
Define public opinion, identify how it is measured, explain its role in shaping public policy, and
discuss the nature of political information in America.
Understand the concept of political ideology in the context of American politics and government.
Explain the ways in which people participate in politics and in the policymaking process, and
discuss the implications of unequal political participation.
Understand the relationship between the scope of government, democracy, public opinion, and
political action.
Chapter 6 Key Terms & Concepts
Age-Cohort Tendency
Agents of Socialization
Census
Civil Disobedience
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Cohort Effect
Conservatives
Demography
Dept. of Commerce v. HOR
Exit Poll
Fairness Doctrine
Gender Gap
Graying of America
Information Superhighway
Liberals
Life Cycle Effects
Literacy Laws
Mass Media
Melting Pot
Minority Majority
Party Identification
Period Effects
Photo Ops
Political Culture
Political Ideology
Political Participation
Political Socialization
Poll Tax
Primary Groups
Protest
Public Opinion
Random Digit Dialing
Random Sampling
Reapportionment
Sample
Sampling Error
Secondary Groups
Simpson-Mazzoli Act
Social Class
Solid South
Tea Party
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Edwards: Chapter Six pp. 172-205 “Public Opinion and Political Action”
1.
What is the largest minority group in America?
2.
How is the immigration issue impacting politics (elections, laws, political agenda)?
3.
How does family, media, schools, and your peers impact political socialization?
4.
Name two ways in which aging affects political behavior.
5.
How does one detect one’s public opinion?
6.
How does one make public opinion polling cost-effective?
7.
Describe three criticisms of public opinion polling.
8.
Why has there been such a decline in the trust in government?
AP Government
Unit 2-3 Schedules
Page 5 of 9
9.
How would you explain President Ronald Reagan’s popularity?
10.
List five activities of conventional political participation? Which is the most common?
11.
How does minority group status affect political participation?
Chapter 7 Learning Objectives:





Describe the characteristics of the mass media today.
Explain the difference between the print media and the broadcast media from an historical
perspective.
Understand how news is found and reported by the media.
Describe how the news media affect public opinion.
Discuss what is meant by the concepts of policy agenda and policy entrepreneur and the media’s
importance to them.
Chapter 7 Key Terms & Concepts
Beats
Blogger
Broadcast Media
Broadcasting
Censorship
Chains
Conservatives
High-Tech Politics
Informer-Stimulator Function
Investigative Journalism
Leak
Liberals
Mass Media
Media Event
Moderates
Narrowcasting
Policy Agenda
Policy Entrepreneurs
Political Spectrum
Presidential Debate
Press Conferences
Print Media
Sound Bites
Talking Head
Trial Balloons
Watchdog Function
Edwards: Chapter Seven pp. 206-235 “Mass Media and the Political Agenda”
1.
What is the purpose of the media?
2.
List the seven principles of Ronald Reagan’s use and abuse of the media.
3.
Explain two media techniques used most effectively by President Franklin Roosevelt.
4.
What media technique do presidents use today to deliver their message?
5.
Explain three ways in which television affected the political career of Richard Nixon.
6.
What affect did television have on the war in Vietnam?
7.
Where does most news come from?
8.
Explain how the news media tends to be biased.
9.
List five items in the policy entrepreneurs’ “arsenal of weapons.”
10.
What is the difference between the “information society” and the “informed society?”
AP Government
Unit 2-3 Schedules
Page 6 of 9
11.
Cite three ways the FCC regulates the media.
12.
Does anyone “own” the media? How is that possible?
Chapter 8 Learning Objectives:






Discuss the meaning and functions of a political party.
Discuss the nature of the party-in-the electorate, party organizations, and the party-in-government.
Describe the party eras in American history and how parties realign and dealing.
Explain the major differences between the Democratic and Republican parties today.
Evaluate the two-party system, its consequences, and the place of third parties in the system.
Identify the challenges facing the American political parties and explain their relationship to
American democracy, individualism, and the scope of government.
Chapter 8 Key Terms & Concepts
Blanket Primaries
Bolter Parties
Closed Primaries
Coalition
Coalition Government
Critical Election
Dealignment
Democratic Party
Divided Government
Gridlock
Independent Party
Linkage Institutions
National Chairperson
National Committee
National Convention
National Nominating Conventions
New Deal Coalition
New Democrats
Nomination
Nonpartisan Primaries
Open Primaries
Partisan
Party-as-an-Organization
Party Competition
Party Dealignment
Party Eras
Party Identification
Party Image
Party-in-Government
Party-in-the-Electorate
Party Machines
Party Neutrality
Party Platforms
Party Realignment
Patronage
Political Participation
Political Party
Political Socialization
Proportional Representation
Reagan Democrats
Realignment
Reform Party
Religious Right
Republican Party
Splinter Parties
Spoiler Role
Third Parties
Ticket-Splitting
Two-Party System
Winner-Take-All System
Edwards: Chapter Eight pp. 235-265 “Political Parties”
1.
Explain the three heads of the political party as a “three-headed political giant.”
2.
What are the five tasks political parties should perform if they are to serve as effective linkage
institutions?
3.
What has been the most prominent trend in party identification in recent years?
4.
Who regulates the political parties?
5.
List the three major changes that have occurred to the party system since Roosevelt’s New Deal.
6.
List four elections which might be considered “critical” or realigning” and explain why.
7.
What is the most important consequence of two-party governance in the United States?
AP Government
Unit 2-3 Schedules
Page 7 of 9
Chapter 9 Learning Objectives:






Explain the nomination process and the role of the national party conventions.
Describe what is meant by the high-tech campaign and what is needed to run a successful
campaign.
Discuss the role of money in campaigns, campaign finance reform, and the impact of political action
committees.
Understand the importance of the media in campaign politics.
Explain the impact of campaign on the voters.
Understand how campaigns affect democracy and the scope of government.
Chapter 9 Key Terms & Concepts
527 Organizations
Activation
Battleground States
Buckley v. Valeo
Campaign Strategy
Caucus
Convention Bump
Conversion
Direct Mail
Direct Primary
Dual Primary
Federal Election Campaign Act
Federal Election Commission
Frontloading
Gender Gap
Handlers
Hard Money
High Tech Campaigns
Incumbents
Infomercials
Invisible Primary
Keynote Address
Matching Funds
McCain-Feingold Act
McGovern-Fraser Commission
National Party Convention
National Primary
Nomination
Non-Presidential Primary
Party Caucus
Party Platform
Primary
Political Action Committees
Political Spin
Preferential Primary
Proportional Primary
Presidential Primaries
Regional Primaries
Reinforcement
Selective Perception
Soft Money
Spin Doctors
Superdelegates
Super Tuesday
Thirty-Second Sports
Ticket Splitting
Voter Turnout
Edwards: Chapter Nine pp. 266-295 “Nominations and Campaigns”
1.
List the three elements needed for success in the nomination game.
2.
List seven criticisms of the primary and caucus system.
3.
What are the main features of each day of the national party conventions?
4.
List nine things candidates must do to effectively organize their campaigns.
5.
What are the two factors that determine media coverage of a campaign?
6.
What are the three effects campaigns can have on voters?
7.
What three factors tend to weaken campaigns’ impact on voters?
8.
What is meant by the “permanent campaign”?
9.
How might campaigns affect the scope of government?
AP Government
Unit 2-3 Schedules
Page 8 of 9
Chapter 10 Learning Objectives:






Explain the functions and unique features of American elections.
Describe how American elections have evolved using the presidential elections of 1800, 1896, and
1996 as examples.
Discuss the factors that affect a citizen’s choice of whether to vote.
Explain how Americans vote and what factors influence how they vote.
Explain how the electoral college works and what biases it can introduce.
Understand how elections affect democracy, public policy, and the scope of government.
Chapter 10 Key Terms & Concepts
Alienation
Apathy
Baker v. Carr
Bush v. Gore
Caucus
Civic Duty
Butterfly Ballot
Direct Primaries
Electoral College
Fifteenth Amendment
General Election
Incumbent
Initiative Petition
Legitimacy
Mandate Theory of Elections
Motor Voter Act (1993)
National Nominating
Convention
Nineteenth Amendment
Party Identification
Policy Differences
Policy Election
Policy Voting
Political Efficacy
Primary Election
Referendum
Retrospective Voting
Seventeenth Amendment
Suffrage
Twenty-Fourth Amendment
Twenty-Sixth Amendment
Under-votes
Voter Registration
Voter Turnout
Winner-Take-All
Edwards: Chapter Ten pp. 296-321 “Elections and Voting Behavior”
1.
List the three kinds of elections found in the United States.
2.
Briefly summarize the positions of the three candidates in the 1996 presidential election
concerning economic policy: Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, and Ross Perot.
3.
What are the two major reasons why the rich and well educated vote more than the poor and
less educated?
4.
How has the influence of party identification on voting changed since the 1950s?
5.
What are the three most important dimensions of candidate image?
6.
What are the three conditions necessary for true policy voting to take place?
7.
What are the two reasons why the electoral college is important to presidential elections?
8.
What are the two tasks that elections accomplish according to democratic theory?
Chapter 11 Learning Objectives:


Define interest groups and distinguish them from political parties.
Compare and contrast the pluralist, elite, and hyperpluralist theories of interest groups.
AP Government
Unit 2-3 Schedules
Page 9 of 9




Explain what makes an interest group successful and why small groups have an advantage over large
groups.
Identify and describe the strategies that groups use to shape public policy.
Describe some of the many types of groups in the American political system.
Evaluate interest groups in terms of their influence on democracy and the scope of government.
Chapter 11 Key Terms & Concepts
Actual Group
Amicus Curiae Briefs
Bloggers
Civil Disobedience
Class Action Lawsuits
Collective Good
Electioneering
Free-Rider Problem
Interest Groups
Iron Triangle
Lobbying
Middle of the Road
Olson’s Law of Large Groups
Political Action Committees
Potential Group
Public Interest Lobbies
Radicals
Reactionaries
Right-To-Work Laws
Selective Benefits
Single-Issue Group
Subgovernments
Taft-Hartley Act
Union Shop
Edwards: Chapter Eleven pp. 322-351 “Interest Groups”
1.
Name three factors that distinguish interest groups from political parties.
2.
What is the difference between a potential group and an actual group?
3.
List the three general strategies used by interest groups to shape public policy.
4.
What are the two basic types of lobbyists?
5.
List four important ways lobbyists can assist a politician.
6.
Why does PAC money go so overwhelmingly to incumbents?
7.
What are four different types of interest groups?
8.
What are the two main organizations that speak for corporations and business?
9.
List three items environmental groups have promoted AND three items they have opposed.
10.
Name two important organizations involved in promoting equality and summarize their major
goals.