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).
• 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).
Unit-8-Schedule-AP-GOPO-2013.docx