Alabama Social Studies SS24.USG.8

SS24.USG.8 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• SS24.USG.8a

  Summarize the effects of campaign finance rulings by the United States Supreme Court on the election process.

• SS24.USG.8b

  Analyze examples of legislation or policy decisions that reflect the influence of special interest groups, and describe methods by which these groups seek to sw...

01

What Students Need to Do

Students explain why people form interest groups and PACs. They trace how donations, independent ads, and lobbying can affect elections and policy. They use evidence to judge a group's possible influence on a bill.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can tell a PAC donation from an independent campaign ad. They can explain that Citizens United allows corporations and unions to fund independent election ads, not give unlimited money directly to candidates. They can point to evidence linking a group's efforts to a state or federal bill.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may treat a PAC donation and an independently funded ad as the same thing. They may think Citizens United allows unlimited direct gifts to candidates. A bill that matches a group's goal does not, by itself, prove the group caused it.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: A union forms a PAC that donates to a Senate candidate. The union separately buys an independent ad and asks lawmakers to change a labor bill. Label the donation, ad, and lobbying request, then explain what Citizens United permits and what evidence would support a claim of influence on the bill.

1. 01

   Give pairs index cards naming donors, PACs, candidates, and lawmakers; have them build a string map of donations, independent ads, and lobbying.

2. 02

   Read a farm subsidy bill summary and a farm group's statement; have students write what matches and what further evidence would show influence.

3. 03

   Play a card sort with PAC donations, independent ads, and lobbyist meetings; students match each to its target and legal limits.

4. 04

   Look up an Alabama PAC disclosure and a bill it supports; compare its contributions with the recorded vote without assuming the donation caused it.

• SS24.USG.9b

  Analyze the influence of television and digital media on elections and campaign spending.

• SS24.USG.7a

  Explain how increases and shifts in political participation by minorities and other voting blocs shape political party coalitions, campaigns, and voter turnout.

• SS24.USG.10

  Outline major characteristics and functions of contemporary political parties in the United States, including the role of state and national conventions as well...