Unit 2: Linkage Institutions What is the role of citizen participation in our democracy? 6 weeks Enduring Understandings Suggested and Resources Civic participation is essential in a democracy. Citizens who get involved TCI Government in civic and community groups help to strengthen civil society. At the Chapters 7-10 same time, they tend to become more engaged in the political process. TCI: Mock Election Simulation In this unit, students explore various ways for citizens to participate in government and politics. Sometimes, citizens get involved through political parties or interest groups. Political parties and interest groups play an important part. Both exert a strong influence on government and offer ways for Americans to participate in the political process. Elections, Websites of course, play a major role in American politics. We have more , , , , elections and elected officials than most other democracies. At the same time, the electoral process is complicated and expensive, and many Youth Leadership Institute Lesson Ideas voters do not participate. Students explore the role of the Iowa Caucus and primaries in selecting nominees from each party to run for President. Link to Course Resources: Iowa’s special role in this process is a unique entry point for students to connect, in an authentic way, to the nominations and campaigns process. Heartland AEA Resources Students will recognize and recall specific vocabulary including: Political Learn 360 Film Clips socialization, ideology, liberal, conservative, libertarian, traditional, coalition, political parties, interest groups, broadcast media, narrowcast media, new Newsela media, gatekeeper, scorekeeper, and watchdog. Linkage Institution Scale
Unit 2: Linkage Institutions What is the role of citizen participation in our democracy? 6 weeks Enduring Understandings Suggested and Resources Civic participation is essential in a democracy. Citizens who get involved in civic and community groups help to strengthen civil society. At the same time, they tend to become more engaged in the political process. In this unit, students explore various ways for citizens to participate in government and politics. Sometimes, citizens get involved through political parties or interest groups. Political parties and interest groups play an important part. Both exert a strong influence on government and offer ways for Americans to participate in the political process. Elections, of course, play a major role in American politics. We have more elections and elected officials than most other democracies. At the same time, the electoral process is complicated and expensive, and many voters do not participate. Students explore the role of the Iowa Caucus and primaries in selecting nominees from each party to run for President. Iowa’s special role in this process is a unique entry point for students to connect, in an authentic way, to the nominations and campaigns process. Students will recognize and recall specific vocabulary including: Political socialization, ideology, liberal, conservative, libertarian, traditional, coalition, political parties, interest groups, broadcast media, narrowcast media, new media, gatekeeper, scorekeeper, and watchdog. TCI Government Chapters 7-10 TCI: Mock Election Simulation Websites , , , , Youth Leadership Institute Lesson Ideas Link to Course Resources: Heartland AEA Resources Learn 360 Film Clips Newsela Linkage Institution Scale