Campaign Finance

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

12

Overview

This is an introduction video to campaign finance in the United States from Khan Academy.  This video can be used to introduce a lesson on campaign finance.  The video is 8 minutes and 40 seconds in length.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 12 - United States Government

SS10.USG.8

Describe functions and the development of special interest groups and campaign contributions by political action committees and their impact on state and national elections. (Alabama)

UP:SS10.USG.8

Vocabulary

  • political action committee (PAC)
  • Buckley v. Valeo
  • Citizens United v. Federal Election
  • Commission (italicize)
  • Federal Election Commission
  • contribution limit
  • hard money
  • soft money
  • Federal Elections Campaign Act of 1971
  • public financing
  • special interest group

Knowledge

Students know:
  • How special interest groups impact state and national elections through various means, such as endorsements and political advertising.
  • Key Supreme Court decisions and laws that frame the current campaign spending and finance practices.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Analyze an excerpt of a Supreme Court decision and identify their constitutional reasoning in reaching their decision.
  • Analyze table or chart of contributions or expenditures to demonstrate how money is distributed amongst candidates, their outcome on the election process, or trends over time.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The historical issue of campaign spending and finance, as well as Supreme Court decisions and Federal law, shape the current practices of special interest groups in their efforts to impact state and national elections.

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

Khan Academy

License Type

Custom

Accessibility

Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
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