AP Government Assignments
- Instructor
- Mr. Lucas Plotnik
- Term
- Fall 2014
- Department
- Social Studies
- Description
-
Upcoming Assignments
No upcoming assignments.
Past Assignments
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1) Describe some of the frustrations and challenges that members of Congress experience. If you were a member of Congress, which of these would be the most frustrating to you?
2) What are some of the perks of being a congressperson? Do you think the perks outweigh the frustrations of being a congressperson?
3) The authors of the textbook make the following argument: “Members of congress are not typical or average Americans.” What types of people typically enter Congress? Why do you think Congress is not an accurate representation of the nation?
4) According to the textbook, what is the best thing a candidate can have going for him or her in a congressional election. Should we impose term limits on members of Congress?
5) What are the three primary activities that members of Congress engage in to increase the probability of their reelection?
6) How is the structure of the House different from the structure of the Senate?
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Chapter 8 Discussion Questions
1) Describe the difference between political parties and interest groups. Why are political parties often called “three headed political giants?” Describe each of the three heads.
2) Describe each of the tasks parties perform. Why are political parties considered linkage institutions? Do political parties do a good job of communicating what people want to elected officials to do?
3) Describe closed, open and blanket primaries. Which type of primary do you think is best? Why?
4) What is a coalition? What is a critical election? Was the 2014 election a critical election? Did it break or strengthen any coalitions?
5) What is a party era? What is party realignment? Are we currently in a party era? If so, which party is winning the majority of elections?
6) Describe the first party system 1796-1824 and 1829-1856: Jackson and the Democrats Versus the Whigs, including Van Buren’s loyal opposition theory.
7) Describe the two Republican Eras. Why was the election of 1896 considered a realigning one?
9) Describe the current era of divided party government. What is party dealignment?
10) Why do scholars believe third parties are important? According to the authors, how would a multiparty system benefit America? Do you think America should change its election process to give third party candidates a greater voice?
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Chapter 11 (Interest Groups) Discussion Questions
“Although turnout in elections has declined since 1960, participation in interest groups has mushroomed” (324).
1) Which part of the Constitution protects the right to create an interest group? The textbook argues, “interest groups are often policy specialists, whereas parties are policy generalists.” What impact do you think this has on the legislative process?
2) Define potential group and actual group. What is the free-rider program? What is Olson’s law of groups? How can large groups overcome Olson’s law and the free-rider problem?
3) How do intensity and financial resources impact how successful interest groups are in achieving their goals? Do you believe that intensity or financial resources are more important?
4) Describe the four ways lobbyists can help a member of Congress. Many people complain about the close relationship between lobbyists and congress members. What type of problems can arise from this? What are some potential solutions to this problem,?
5) What is electioneering? The textbook was published in 2004? How is it outdated regarding PACS?
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Chapter 10 Questions
1) The right to vote (suffrage) has expanded throughout American history. Explain how state laws vary when in comes to crime and voting.
2) What did Anthony Downs argue about voting?
3) What is political efficacy? What was the 1993 Motor Voter Act? What should the government do, if anything to encourage people to vote?
4) The book lists several variables that political scientists use to predict how likely people are to vote. Which groups are most likely to vote? Which groups are less likely to vote? Which of these relationships seemed the most obvious? Did any surprise you?
5) How does party identification play a role in how people vote? How has modern technology changed the relationship between party identification and voting?
6) According to the book there are two reasons why the electoral college is important to the presidential election? Explain each of them.
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Chapter 9: Nominations and Elections
1) Read governor Bush’s daily agenda on pages 266-267. Describe his schedule using only one word.
2) According to the textbook, what does success in the nomination game require? What do the authors mean by momentum? Would you add anything else to this list?
3) How does the length of the presidential campaign compare to other industrial nations? What are the positive and negative aspects of having such a long campaign season? (the book only mentions the positive aspects, use your critical thinking skills and imagination to think of what the positive aspects might be. )
4) Why did most states replace caucuses with primaries?
5) What are superdelegates?
6) In reference to the New Hampshire primary, the authors argue, “[a]t this early stage, the campaign is not for delegates, but for images.” What do they mean by this?
7) How do the Democrats and Republicans distribute their delegates differently?
8) On page 273-274 the book lists several criticisms of the primary and caucus system. Briefly summarize what you believe the three strongest criticisms of the system.
9) Why was the FEC created? What did the Supreme Court rule in Buckley v. Valejo?
10) What is soft money? Should we limit these types of contributions?
11) What are PACS, What impact do they have on elections.
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Chapter Seven Discussion Questions
1) What is the political agenda? How do candidates attempt to control the political agenda? What examples does your book describe?
2) How has the role of the media changed in American politics over time? How did FDR use the media to support his agenda? How did Vietnam change the relationship between the press and the government? Why are political scientists critical of investigative reporting? Do you think investigative reporting is good or bad for our nation?
3) What is “yellow journalism?” When was the era of yellow journalism? Describe the pecking order in print media. What has been happening to circulation rates? How do you think the decrease in circulation rates have affected the quality of news we receive?
4) According to the text, how did the media make and break Nixon’s career? How did TV change the perception of government during the Vietnam War? What were the effects of cable news? Who do you believe does a better job reporting the news, papers, TV or social media?
5) Describe the three ways the FCC regulates the airwaves. What is narrowcasting? Do you think narrowcasting is a good or bad thing? Do you think it impacts political ideology or voting behavior?
5) What are journalists dependent on to keep their businesses going? What is public ownership? What is a conglomerate? According to the text, who controls most of the newspapers? Does this present a potential conflict of interest? Should we place restrictions on who should own newspapers? Should every major city have a variety of news sources that are owned by different people?
6) What are the primary motivating factors in determining which news will be broadcasted? What is a trial balloon? Describe the relationship between newsmakers and journalist. What potential problems might arise? What do you think the criteria should be for determining what is news?
7) Why have political leaders find it difficult to get their message broadcasted on the major networks? Where have they gone to do this? What are some potential problems with leaders going to these networks?
8) Many people complain that the news is biased, what do the studies show? What is a talking head? What do people do when they see one on TV? What are the effects of this?
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Linkage Institution
Policy Agenda
Public Policy
Pluralism
Hyper Pluralism
Elite and Class Theory
Policy Gridlock
Individualism
Connecticut Compromise
Writ of Habeas Corpus
Republic
Federalist
Anti-federalist
Marbury v. Madison
Judicial Review
Political Apathy