Unit 3: Public Opinion, Political Parties, and Interest Groups
Study Guide
Overview
Political Beliefs and Behavior- 10-20%
● Role of the individual in government and politics
● Processes by which citizens learn about politics
● Nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion
● Role of voting in democratic systems
● Factors that influence political behavior
Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media- 10-20%
● Development, organization, and functions of political parties
● Role of parties in the electoral process
● Development, role, and effects of interest groups
● Characteristics and roles of PACs
Guiding questions
1. What factors shape public opinion?
2. What is political socialization and how do individual’s beliefs evolve?
3. What are linkage institutions, and why are these important?
4. How does public opinion influence the political process?
5. Examine the influence of demographic factors on political participation and ideology.
6. Assess the various means by which individuals participate in American politics.
7. How do political parties impact the political process?
8. What has led to calls for party reform?
9. How do interest groups affect the political process, and what advantages do they garner for represented sectors?
10. What are the ideological stances of the major parties, and how have these changed throughout American history?
What roles have minor parties played in politics?
11. What are PACs, and how do they affect the political process?
Vocabulary
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political socialization
political culture
public opinion
political ideology
political efficacy
ticket splitting
political party
party era
critical election
party realignment
party dealignment
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interest group
political action committee
Free-rider problem
lobbying
minority majority
reapportionment
random sampling
sampling error
exit polls
rational-choice theory
party identification
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coalition
party neutrality
winner-take-all system
proportional representation
responsible party model
subgovernments
single-issue groups
amicus curiae briefs
class action suits
public interest lobbies
Readings from textbook Chapters 6, 8, and 11
9/23 – pages 172-184
9/24 – pages 184-192
9/25 – pages 192-203
9/26 – pages 234-247
9/29 – pages 247-261
9/30 – pages 320-332
10/1 – pages 333-349
10/2 – no assigned reading/Study!
10/3-10/8 - Party platform project (test grade)
10/3 – Vocabulary quiz
10/6 – no assigned reading/Study!
10/7 – no assigned reading/Study!
10/8 – no assigned reading/Study!
10/9 – Tentative test date