CLR - Civil Liberties and Responsibilities Module Overview
Civil Liberties and Responsibilities Module Overview
Freedom and rights were important factors in shaping the American political system, and they continue to play a major role in our society today. The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments of the Constitution, defines our freedom and rights as citizens. In this module, you will identify the freedoms and rights outlined in the Constitution. Also in this module, we will learn about the role and impact political parties have on the American government. Political parties, for one, play a large role in the decision making process in every aspect of government. In this module, you will learn about the historical development and functions of the two-party system, Democratic and Republican, especially in elections. You will learn about the effect politics have on the political process and learn why it is difficult for a third party to gain dominance in our political system. You will also learn about the role of interest groups and their impact on candidates running for office, voters, and campaigns.
Essential Questions
- What are civil rights and civil liberties?
- What is due process?
- What are individual rights, and where are they outlined in the Constitution?
- How is balance maintained between individual liberties and pubic interest?
- How is thoughtful and effective participation in civic life characterized?
- What is the difference between local, state, and national elections?
- What is the role of political parties and how did they form?
- How are campaigns funded?
- What is the influence of media coverage, campaign advertising, and public opinion on election polls?
- How do amendments extend the right to vote?
Key Terms
- Conservative - adherent of political conservatism, which favors traditional views and values, limited government, strong national defense, and individualism
- Federal Election Commission - independent regulatory agency established to set out financial rules governing campaigns for federal office
- Independent - affiliated with or loyal to no one political party or organization
- Interest group - group of individuals with a common purpose, often a single issue, who use various forms to influence change in public opinion or policy
- Liberal - adherent of a political philosophy characterized by progressivism, individual and civil liberties and autonomy, and government involvement in assuring equality
- Lobbying - the act of trying to influence decisions made by officials in the legislator or other public officials in favor of a specific cause
- Mass media - means of public communication reaching a large audience such as radio, music, film, newspapers, or television
- Moderate - a non-extreme individual opposed to radical or extreme views in politics or religion, holding views in the center of the political spectrum
- National Convention - a US political party assembly held every two to four years to nominate presidential and vice-presidential candidates
- Patronage - support given to a person in the form of encouragement, privilege, endorsement, or financial aid that an organization or person gives to another
- Platform- a political party's beliefs, values and policy positions
- Plurality - a candidate that received the highest number of votes among the rest of the candidates running for office
- Political Action Committee - an organization that contributes money to candidates in federal elections
- Political Ideologies - set of ideas reflecting the social and cultural needs of an individual, group, or class
- Political Party - political office seekers and their supporters that represent common values and goals
- Poll tax - tax levied on people exercising their right to vote
- Precinct - election district of a city or town
- Primary election - an election that narrows the number of candidates before an official is elected to an office
- Propaganda - communication aimed at influencing a particular attitude or view toward a position or cause
- Proportional representation - divisions in an electorate are reflected proportionately in the elected body
- Single-member district - an election district in both the United States and Great Britain that returns only a single member to the legislature
- Straight party ticket - a ballot cast for all the candidates of one party
- Suffrage - the right or privilege of voting
- Third Party - political party organized as opposition to the existing parties in a two-party system
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