SLO #2: Lobbyists and interest groups in Texas. 70% of students will successfully research and analyze the influence of interest groups on lawmaking, using current news articles/political action committee websites.

Activity for assessment:

Review the following websites. The first is a link to an article regarding how lobbyists may influence Texas lawmakers. The second is a link to the Texas State Rifle Association Political Action Committee website. Be sure to check out the “About Us” and “Legislation” links at the TSRPAC website.

Analysis: When a Disclosure Report Doesn’t Do Much Disclosing

http://www.tsrapac.com/

Once you’ve fully completed reading and reviewing the above-mentioned web links, consider the impact Interest groups and lobbyists have on lawmaking. Then, discuss the pros and cons of this collective influence by answering the following:

Based on what you’ve read, should there be tougher restrictions and more strict oversight on interest groups? Or, since they represent such a large group in society who may not have an influential voice otherwise, is this in the best interest of democracy?
Specifically, consider that there are very rigid limitations on how much money that “we the people” can contribute to campaigns and, based on this, have very little individual ability to influence decision-making in this way.
Should the government place more rigid limitations and more oversight on the interest groups, who have access to greater funds, in an ability to allow all of our voices to count equally? How and why?
Overall, do you believe the collective influence of interest groups override individual citizen’s ability to influence politics?
Lastly, give some examples of 21st century interest groups and how they have influenced lawmaking. Be specific.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Program-Level Outcome 1: Communication Skills – to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication

1. Written: Process and produce effective written communication adapted to audience, purpose, and time constraints.
3. Visual: Effectively interpret visual images or produce effective visual images.

Program-Level Outcome 2: Critical Thinking Skills – to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information

Program-Level Outcome 5: Personal Responsibility – to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making

Program-Level Outcome 6: Social Responsibility – to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities

Course-Level Objectives met with this assignment:

5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
6. Analyze the state and local election process.
7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.

SLO2 fulfills Program Level Outcomes 1.1, 1.3, 2, 5, 6; Course Level Outcomes 5, 6, 7, 8]

This assignment must follow MLA guidelines, be typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, and be a minimum of 2-3 pages with a works cited page. The works cited are not included in the minimum page count.

Remember the MLA must be double-spaced and include the proper header and paper title as well as in-text citations. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this, please visit the Student Resources tab in our class and view the Writing Information folder OR see the Academic Skills center on the Central Campus at NLC. If you need a reminder about assignment guidelines, please review them under the Start Here tab.

SLO #2: Lobbyists and interest groups in Texas. 70% of students will successfully research and analyze the influence of interest groups on lawmaking, using current news articles/political action committee websites.

Activity for assessment:

Review the following websites. The first is a link to an article regarding how lobbyists may influence Texas lawmakers. The second is a link to the Texas State Rifle Association Political Action Committee website. Be sure to check out the “About Us” and “Legislation” links at the TSRPAC website.

Analysis: When a Disclosure Report Doesn’t Do Much Disclosing

http://www.tsrapac.com/

Once you’ve fully completed reading and reviewing the above-mentioned web links, consider the impact Interest groups and lobbyists have on lawmaking. Then, discuss the pros and cons of this collective influence by answering the following:

Based on what you’ve read, should there be tougher restrictions and more strict oversight on interest groups? Or, since they represent such a large group in society who may not have an influential voice otherwise, is this in the best interest of democracy?
Specifically, consider that there are very rigid limitations on how much money that “we the people” can contribute to campaigns and, based on this, have very little individual ability to influence decision-making in this way.
Should the government place more rigid limitations and more oversight on the interest groups, who have access to greater funds, in an ability to allow all of our voices to count equally? How and why?
Overall, do you believe the collective influence of interest groups override individual citizen’s ability to influence politics?
Lastly, give some examples of 21st century interest groups and how they have influenced lawmaking. Be specific.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Program-Level Outcome 1: Communication Skills – to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication

1. Written: Process and produce effective written communication adapted to audience, purpose, and time constraints.
3. Visual: Effectively interpret visual images or produce effective visual images.

Program-Level Outcome 2: Critical Thinking Skills – to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information

Program-Level Outcome 5: Personal Responsibility – to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making

Program-Level Outcome 6: Social Responsibility – to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities

Course-Level Objectives met with this assignment:

5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
6. Analyze the state and local election process.
7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.

SLO2 fulfills Program Level Outcomes 1.1, 1.3, 2, 5, 6; Course Level Outcomes 5, 6, 7, 8]

This assignment must follow MLA guidelines, be typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, and be a minimum of 2-3 pages with a works cited page. The works cited are not included in the minimum page count.

Remember the MLA must be double-spaced and include the proper header and paper title as well as in-text citations. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this, please visit the Student Resources tab in our class and view the Writing Information folder OR see the Academic Skills center on the Central Campus at NLC. If you need a reminder about assignment guidelines, please review them under the Start Here tab.