Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Campaign Finance

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)

    Unpacked Content

    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.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    Khan Academy
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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