Roles of Individuals and Groups in Politics

Have you ever watched a political speech and felt your heart beat a little faster, and your opinion either solidify or begin to slightly change? Rhetorical devices can be a strong tool in an effective and powerful speech. A short lesson...

Spark an animated debate in your class! Young adults consider some of the fads or trends that are prevalent at their school, as well as their own level of participation in them. Just how much of a role does popular culture play in their...

As part of a study of the skills needed to become informed citizens, class members examine political cartoons. After analyzing the symbols, viewpoint, and political message intended by the artists, individuals then create their own...

Here is a fantastic, comprehensive resource on the roles and powers assigned to the president of the United States. It includes several critical thinking exercises and engaging activities, from cartoon analysis and the opportunity to...

What is a political party, and what major parties exist in American politics today? How did the party system develop in American history, and how are parties organized? These questions and many other details regarding the political party...

Eighty-eight years after women earned the right to vote, a women ran for president. Young analysts consider the role women play in politics, how they are portrayed, the standards they are held to, and if they are still treated unfairly...

Before Democrats and Republicans, there were Whigs, Dixiecrats, Federalists and Anti-Federalists, Populists, Prohibitionists, Progressives, and the list goes on. Your young historians will discover the evolution of political parties in...

Is there a way to determine a winner of a political debate? Use a helpful rubric to evaluate the issues, specificity, evidence, reasoning, and delivery of candidates in a debate. After assessing each person's performance, high schoolers...

Young scholars examine the role of special interest groups in American politics. They conduct research on recently passed legislation, identify the influence of special interest groups on this legislation, watch a video, and read a handout.

Voters determine the outcome of elections, but campaign donors can influence the attitudes of those voters. Explore nine examples of donors and the amounts of money they want to contribute, and the legal ways the groups can or cannot...