Blog

Political Socialization Focusing Event

Chapter 6

1. Describe a focusing event. Chapter 6, p. 189; Chapter 14, p. 481.
2. Identify the agents of political socialization, leading to party identification. Chapter 6, pp. 196-197; Chapter 9, pp. 317-319.
3. Identify appropriate polling techniques (sample size, framing effects, margin of error, etc.).
4. Explain the conditions for public opinion to guide government.

Chapter 7

5. Define mass media.
6. Explain the impact of evolving forms of media on the relationship of the public with the government.
7. Identify the role of the media on forming policy agenda.
8. Identify the role of the media on content decisions.

Chapter 8

9. Describe the phases of the election process, including a primary and the types of primaries, a caucus, a convention, a run-off, and a general election.
10. Define realignment and dealignment. (See Supplementary Materials Folder in Moodle)
11. Identify the key principle of McCutcheon v. FEC.
12. Distinguish between a “Political Action Committee” (PAC), including a “super PAC” and a 527 group.
13. Define “bundling.”
14. Understand the differences in campaign finance rules between running for President and Congress. (See Supplementary Materials Folder in Moodle)
15. Identify the major provisions of the Federal Elections Campaign Finance Act and the amendments in the “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act” as they apply to individuals, PACs, and Political Parties. (See Supplementary Materials Folder in Moodle)
16. Identify the problems with campaign finance law.
17. Identify changes or reforms to campaigns and/or elections that the chapter discusses.
18. Demonstrate the process of the Electoral College. Chapter 2, p. 57; Chapter 8, pp. 264-67.
19. Identify voter trends, including turnout. Chapter 5, pp. 167-169, 186-187; Chapter 6, pp. 217-224; Chapter 9, pp. 317-25.
20. Identify the causes of low voter turnout (known as “disenfranchisement”). Chapter 6, pp. 217-20.
21. Identify proposals for improving voter turnout, such as political efficacy, partisanship, and negative campaigning. Chapter 6, pp. 217-20; Chapter 8, pp. 262, 286.

Chapter 9

22.    Define an interest group.

23.    Define a lobbyist.

24.    Identify the major types of interest groups.

25.    List the components of a successful interest group.

26.    Distinguish between advantages and disadvantages of interest groups.

27. Relate the concepts of majority rule and proportional representation (plurality) to an alternative form of government.
28. Explain the disadvantages of third parties in the U.S.
29. Describe the history of the political parties in the United States.
30. Explain party platform.
31. List the functions of political parties.
32. Distinguish the fundamental differences between the major parties.
33. Explain partisanship.
34. Identify how the roles of political parties and interest groups impact individuals.
35. Identify the consequences of weak political parties.
36. Define a split-ticket and straight-ticket voter.
37. Describe the organization of political parties.

Chapter 14

38. Define the stages of public policy making.