Module+3+-+Political+Parties,+Interest+Groups,+and+the+Media

You'll begin this module by reading Chapters 6-9 on Ethel Wood's AP Government Page. Once again, as you go through each chapter, here are a few things to consider:

__**Cha****pter** **6**__
 * Why does America have the two party system? Is this beneficial? Why or why not?

__**Chap****ter** **7**__
 * Would the United States be better served by switching to a different method of electing its president? Why or why not?

__**Chapter 8**__
 * There has been a lot of negative press regarding the role of interest groups in elections and politics. Do you believe these groups are an extension of democracy or inhibit it? Why?

__**Chapter 9**__
 * In what ways is it appropriate to refer to the media as the "fourth branch" of government?

__**Other Readings**__ American Political Science Association - A Report of the Committee on Political Parties - Download the report and read it. Inside the Money Chase - by Dan Hamburg (scroll down to this article - you don't need to read all of his articles)

The Governmental Process - by David B. Truman (Log in to Questia and read the first chapter - "The Alleged Mischiefs of Faction") - by Jonathan Rauch

Why Americans Hate the Media - by James Fallows

Back to Task 3 Main Page