SS10.USG.8

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

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.

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

Aligned Learning Resources

Win the White House

Campaign Finance

Design by Adaptive Theme