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Monday, November 30, 2009

Hi Guys. Remember, the reading for tomorrow is Subato Chapter 7 (pages 239-242). There will be a quiz. I will also be showing you a video on Checks and Balances with associated questions. There might be something else, but I'm not sure. Laters. MTB

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Chapter 10 Uploaded

Chapter 10 on the Media with questions can be found in the Workspace of my website.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

FRQ 3 Follow Up

If you go to my web page, in the APGOPO Workspace link, you will find the Unit 3 PowerPoint. Look at the last 4 slides of the presentation. That information lays out the answer for the FRQ.

Here's some additional info on how CANDIDATES use the media during elections (to hopefully win the election)

*seeking contributions
*leaking information
*candidate creating choreographed opportunities
*use of Internet to disseminate information
*sound bites

Here's some additional info on how the MEDIA uses candidates during elections (to make money):

*talk shows/TV debates
*candidate sound bites
*convention coverage
*investigative reporting/scandals
*focus on candidate gaffes (mistakes)

I hope this is helpful...

Friday, November 20, 2009

In the 1990's presidential election campaigns have become more candidate centered and less focused on issues and party labels. This change has been attributed both to how the media cover presidential campaigns and to how candidates use the media. Identify and explain two ways in which the media have contributed to candidate-centered presidential campaigns. Identify and explain two ways in which presidential candidates' use of the media has contributed to candidate centered campaigns.

Your answer should NOT include a discussion of presidential primary elections.

My answer:

It's fair to say that both the media and presidential candidates have benefited symbiotically from one another during presidential campaigns. Both stand to gain significantly under this relationship with media recording profits from their coverage while candidates stand to potentially win an election with the appropriate amount of media exposure.

A. One way in which the MEDIA contributes to candidate-centered campaigns is through the coverage of background on a perspective presidential candidate. During the 2008 election profiles of all of the major candidates were covered on most of the major networks. Many Americans tune in with fascination to learn about a candidates' early beginnings.

B. Another way in which the MEDIA contributes to candidate-centered campaigns is through feeding frenzy coverage of a candidate's potential wrong-doing. In the case of John McCain during the 2008 election, allegations of an alleged affair with a staff member while unsubstantiated played to a huge spike in audience attention-undoubtedly boosting ratings and revenue for the media.

C. One way in which CANDIDATES use of the media contributes to candidate-centered campaigns centers around the use of negative commercials and mudslinging to defame their competitor during election time. Millions of dollars are spent by campaigns to buy advertising time during elections and attempt manipulate public opinion usually through attack and smear campaigns that are viewed during prime time.

D. Another way in which CANDIDATES use of the media contributes to candidate-centered campaigns is through attention-gathering public appearances to enhance public attention to individual qualities. One public attention appearance that backfired against George W. Bush was his entry onto the flight deck of an aircraft carrier with the emblem "Mission Accomplished" emblazoned on the ship. The war in Iraq could hardly have been characterized as completed during this publicity stunt. This public appearance actually had the opposite effect and led to a precipitous decline in Bush's popularity.

Monday's Homework

Here is the Homework Due Monday:

*Chapter 6: APGO Reading and Worksheet: "Interest Groups"
(10 Questions)

*Chapter 7: APGO Reading and Worksheet: "Political Parties"
(9 Questions)

*Chapter 10: APGO Reading and Worksheet: "The Media"
(7 Questions)

*FRQ on Interest Groups (see earlier entry in this blog for suggested answer)

*FRQ on Media (passed out today. Suggested answer will follow in next blog)

All 5 assignments due Monday and worth 20 p0ints apiece for 100 point total. Please gather these up and staple to turn in as bundle.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Thursday

Tomorrow:
We will take the Vocab test, I will review for the Unit Exam on Monday. Notes will be provided. With time remaining, we will finish "The Paper Chase." You will have an FRQ to work on over the weekend. You test on Monday will include ONE of the 3 FRQ's you have completed (among Interest Groups, Political Parties, or Media). See you tomorrow!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Wednesday

I got a good report on just about all of you from Mr. Cisneros. Thanks for working well today in my absence. Tomorrow, we will have Subato 3 on Media, we'll review for vocab via Jeopardy, and time remaining, watch the movie. On Friday, Subato Quiz 4, Vocab Quiz, review for Exam 3. We'll also watch (finish?) video then. You will also be given an FRQ on the Media on Friday....I have posted the Powerpoint Unit Review on my webpage if you want to check it out. Hasta Manana!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Tuesday Post

Class went fine today. I have created the Jeopardy Review for the Interest Groups, Pol Parties, and Media Vocab. You can find this on my webpage in the AP Govt Workspace. This Jeopardy terms review will be given on Thursday when I get back. Mr. Cisneros will have readings tomorrow breaking y0u out into groups of his choosing. The Vocab Quiz will be on Friday. The Unit Review will take place probably on Tuesday with the Unit Exam on Wednesday. Cheers!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Monday's Post

So, we are taking a little detour over the next couple of days. We talked about the differences between Liberals and Conservatives. The big packet of readings I handed out today, I think you will read in groups tomorrow and then continue to work on the questions (the columns) from today. You can work together. I would hope also to see more FRQ's turned in on Interest Groups. I want you to at least take a crack at the question. On Thursday your Political Parties reading questions will be due. Here's how I would answer the FRQ on Interest Groups. The question with the answer below:

FRQ on Interest Groups

National interest groups often target national level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives.

Select one of the following national interest groups:

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
American Medical Association (AMA)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

For the group you selected, do each of the following:Identify one major national level policymaking institution that this group targets.

Describe one resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen AND explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).

Describe another resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen AND explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).

My Answer
Interest groups play multiple roles in influencing government. One specific way in which interest groups influence government is through issue advocacy. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored Persons (NAACP) has an over 100 year legacy in advocating for laws dealing with discrimination against African-Americans.
1(a) Arguably, the groups greatest success in achieving its goals of anti-discrimination has been through the targeting of the United States' judiciary.
2(a) The NAACP targeted the judicial branch vis a vis the United States Supreme Court with an amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief in support of Linda Brown in the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954 that was ultimately supported by the Court. As the result of the NAACP's advocacy, The Plesy v. Ferguson ruling going back over 100 years was reversed.
2(b) The NAACP has also targeted the judicial branch in ensuring the enforcement of Civil Rights laws. Specifically, the NAACP went to court to sue communities did not comply with the Supreme Court's order on "all deliberate speed" related to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The lobbying of the courts by the NAACP has had an historic impact on the reversal of many "Jim Crow" era laws.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Thursday

Today, we took the Subato quiz one on political parties. Those that were gone on a field trip can make it up tomorrow. For homework tonight, students are to complete the FRQ on Interest Groups that was posted in the last entry on this blog. We will probably watch something related to Political Parties tomorrow. There will also be the AP Political Parties reading (with questions) that will be assigned over the weekend. See you tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Tuesday

Continue to read the next 15 pages of Subato on Political Parties. Additionally, you will have a four page reading to complete in class tomorrow on political primaries. With time remaining, I will give you time to work on the FRQ below. For completion of this you may use your notes. You can also work in pairs of two if you so desire:

National interest groups often target national level policymaking institutions to achieve their policy objectives.

Select one of the following national interest groups:

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
American Medical Association (AMA)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

For the group you selected, do each of the following:

Identify one major national level policymaking institution that this group targets.
Describe one resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen AND explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).
Describe another resource or characteristic of the group you have chosen AND explain how it influences the choice of the target you have identified in (a).

Monday, November 2, 2009

Monday

Remember class to finish the10 questions on the Interest Groups reading that was given on Friday. I will collect them tomorrow in class. Additionally, please read pages 419 to 435 in Subato. This is the chapter on political parties. There will be a Subato quiz on the reading. I will also be lecturing tomorrow on political parties See you tomorrow!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sunday Reminder

Class. For those of you who get this tonight. Be sure to bring the Interest Groups reading to class that you picked up on friday. Also, bring the ten questions that accompanied the reading. After our quiz, you will be working in groups of five to read through and answer the questions. See you tomorrow.