CZ:POL 214: US Political Parties and Interest Groups

Instructor: Shamira Gelbman

Email: sgelbman@ilstu.edu

Office Hours: T, Th 12:30-1:30 PM in 405 Schroeder Hall

What We'll Be Working On

The following is a list of articles that the members of POL 214 will be working on during the Fall 2009 semester. These articles will be closed to editing by other citizens until after the conclusion of the course, though we'd appreciate hearing any comments or suggestions you might have on their respective talk subpages.

•  Interest group: In the United States, an organization (usually non-profit) that represents its members' interests by lobbying, publishing, or other activities, and may publish information presented as expert analysis. ^[e]

•  American Association of Retired Persons: A U.S. public interest group representing the interests of people over the age of fifty. ^[e]

•  American Association of University Professors: American interest group representing the views of university professors and academia generally. ^[e]

•  American Cancer Society: American Cancer Society mission statement says “The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.” ^[e]

•  American Farm Bureau: "Farm Bureau is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization governed by and representing farm and ranch families united for the purpose of analyzing their problems and formulating action to achieve educational improvement, econmomic opportunity and social advancement and, thereby, to promote the national well-being." ^[e]

•  American Federation of Teachers: The American Federation of Teachers is a labor union representing 1.4 million education professionals in pre-K, primary, secondary, and higher education, related school personnel; federal, state, and local government employees; and nurses and other healthcare professionals. ^[e]

• Americans for Democratic Action: Add brief definition or description

•  Amnesty International: International non-governmental organisation, founded in London in 1961, which draws attention to human rights abuses and campaigns for compliance with international standards. ^[e]

• Anti-Defamation League: Add brief definition or description

• Arab American Institute: Add brief definition or description

• Bread for the World: Add brief definition or description

•  Christian Coalition: The Christian Coalition is a grassroots organization that educates people on legislative issues that effect Christian based family values, the organization also lobbies in an effort to promote these values. ^[e]

•  Family Research Council: A lobbying spinoff of Focus on the Family; Affiliate, Alliance Defense Fund ^[e]

•  Federalist Society: A U.S. organization promoting conservative and libertarian positions on legal issues. ^[e]

•  Feminist Majority Foundation: Working for social, political and economic equality for women by using research and education to improve women's lives. ^[e]

•  Greenpeace: An organization devoted to environmental activism, founded in the United States and Canada in 1971. ^[e]

• Heritage Foundation: Add brief definition or description

•  Human Rights Watch: Nonprofit nongovernmental organization dedicated to protecting human rights around the world. ^[e]

• Humane Society of the United States: Add brief definition or description

• John Birch Society: Add brief definition or description

•  League of Women Voters: "A non-partisan interest group involved in the political and civic education of women " ^[e]

•  Marijuana Policy Project: A non-profit American interest group that lobbies for new marijuana legislation and reform. ^[e]

•  Mothers Against Drunk Driving: Add brief definition or description

•  NARAL Pro-Choice America: Add brief definition or description

•  National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: United States of America civil rights organization founded in 1909 "to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination" ^[e]

• National Committee for an Effective Congress: Add brief definition or description

• National Congress of American Indians: Add brief definition or description

•  National Council of La Raza: Add brief definition or description

•  National Immigration Forum: "Interest group who seeks to continue making America welcome to immigrants" ^[e]

•  National Organization for Women: Add brief definition or description

•  National Rifle Association: A non-partisan, non-profit American interest group which claims promotion of gun ownership rights, firearm safety education, and marksmanship as its goals. ^[e]

•  National Right to Life Committee: A U.S. group principally opposed to abortion and euthanasia, with some interest in other life issues; Affiliate, Alliance Defense Fund ^[e]

•  Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: Add brief definition or description

•  Partnership for a Drug-Free America: Add brief definition or description

• Project RACE: Add brief definition or description

•  Rock the Vote: This organization was created to empower the American youth population by in the realm of politics by encouraging them to become involved in politics. Incorporating elements of youth culture and an understanding for youth life in America, this interest group informs young people on current political issues, helps youths register, and encourages voting among the youth population. ^[e]

•  Sierra Club: Add brief definition or description

• USAction: Add brief definition or description

• U.S. Border Control: Add brief definition or description

•  Veterans of Foreign Wars: United States interest group devoted to military veterans of foreign wars. ^[e]

•  Violence Policy Center: Add brief definition or description