AP Government Unit 8 Schedule Congress and Special Interest Groups (Chapter 12 & 11) *Book readings always REQUIRE notetaking* Overriding Questions 1. How do Interest Groups positively AND negatively influence the legislative process? 2. How does hyperpluralism influence the law making process? 3. How has Congress changed over time? 4. How has Congress struggled with the President for power since the founding? Name: ___________________ Hour: ___ AP Government – Mr. W.B. Brooks # Assignment Title Due Date Points Possible U8HW1 Read Chapter 12/11 and take notes (Due by end of 3rd day of Unit) U8HW2 Making Policy Project 50 U8HW3 Reading – “Strom Thurmond” (Read Textbook page 376 first) 50 U8HW4 Congressional Statement 50 U8HW5 Article – Dold 50 U8HW6 Test Corrections (Only required for those that scored BELOW 80% on Unit Summative) Reading Quiz (Only Over Textbook Chapters) Unit Summative / Exam (MC, FRQ, DBQ – Possible Formats) RJ Unit Reading Journal (Completed By 3rd Day of Unit) RG Reading Groups (Done In Class On Day Before Unit Exam) Means Two HW Passes To Exempt Unit 8 - Congress and Special Interest Groups Readings: Edwards, George C.,et all. Government in America: Chapter 12 and 11 And other supplemental readings from other various sources Areas of Study: The Job (role) The Members Advantages of Incumbency Open Seats American bicameralism Congressional Leadership The Committees and Subcommittees Caucuses Congress and Democracy – American in Perspective: Malapportionment Pluralism and Group Theory Elites and the Denial of Pluralism Hyperpluralism Lobbying and Electioneering Type of Interest Groups – Economic, Equality, Consumers, etc. Assignments: See Schedule for Unit (Above) After studying this Unit, students should be able to:
• Describe the essential roles and functions of a senator and a representative. • Examine the role of money in congressional elections—where it comes from, how it is used, and what influence or effect it has. • Summarize both the advantages and disadvantages of PACs’ growing influence. • Contrast organizational style and procedures in the House of Representatives with those of the Senate. • Identify the major leadership positions in the House and Senate and summarize the functions of each office. • Review the four types of congressional committees and explain how they control the congressional agenda and guide legislation. • Determine the significance of legislative procedures like the filibuster and oversight. • Outline the process by which a bill would move through the legislative process, from introduction to the point where it is sent to the president. • Contrast three theories of the role of a legislator: trustee, instructed delegate, and politico. • Appraise the influence of lobbyists and interest groups on the legislative process. • Identify both representative and unrepresentative aspects of Congress. • Examine the effect that the U.S. Congress has had on the scope of government. • Distinguish the essential differences between interest groups and political parties. • Understand three basic theories of interest group politics: pluralist theory, elite theory, and hyperpluralist theory. • Determine the factors that tend to make an interest group successful. • Differentiate between a potential group and an actual group, and determine how the problem applies. • Explain how interest groups try to shape public policy and how lobbyists represent interest groups in influencing the legislative agenda. • Describe various types of interest groups. • Explain why the authors of the textbook say that the problems of honest lobbying now appear to outweigh the traditional problems of dishonest lobbying. • Summarize the implications for the size of government that are generated by the power of PACs and special interest groups. • Analyze the appropriate role of interest groups within a democratic environment. From Unit VIII – Congress & Interest Groups (Chapter 12 and 11).