CZ:POL 214: US Political Parties and Interest Groups

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Revision as of 20:32, 28 September 2009 by imported>Shamira Gelbman (→‎What We're Working On: removed a group we're not working on)
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(CC) Photo: Wally Gobetz
K Street, a.k.a. Washington, DC's Lobbying District

Instructor: Shamira Gelbman

Email: sgelbman@ilstu.edu

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

Syllabus available here (pdf)

Project Description

This Eduzendium project is the first of four components of a multi-genre research and writing project (described in full here (pdf)). In addition to writing encyclopedia articles about individual interest groups, POL 214 students will write opinion essays that use their peers' encyclopedia articles as a research springboard, letters to the editor that respond to their peers' opinion essays, and compositions that reflect on their research and writing process. Grant funding to develop this project was provided by the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology at Illinois State University.

What We're 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.

  • Stub Interest group [r]: An organization that seeks to represent its members' interests, usually by seeking to influence political and/or public policy outcomes. [e]




  • Developing Article American Cancer Society [r]: 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]


  • Developing Article American Farm Bureau [r]: "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]


  • Stub American Federation of Teachers [r]: 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]


  • Stub Americans for Democratic Action [r]: Americans for Democratic Action is a group that was created to preserve the ideals of the New Deal, continue to uphold American values with democratic and liberal views. [e]


  • Developing Article Amnesty International [r]: 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 [r]: Add brief definition or description
    To create this article in course-specific format, please open this page in a separate window — it will guide you through the process. After each step that takes you away from this course homepage, check back here and reload the page. If you are ready to start this process, then




  • Bread for the World [r]: Add brief definition or description
    To create this article in course-specific format, please open this page in a separate window — it will guide you through the process. After each step that takes you away from this course homepage, check back here and reload the page. If you are ready to start this process, then



  • Stub Christian Coalition [r]: 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]



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


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


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


  • Heritage Foundation [r]: Add brief definition or description
    To create this article in course-specific format, please open this page in a separate window — it will guide you through the process. After each step that takes you away from this course homepage, check back here and reload the page. If you are ready to start this process, then






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






















  • Stub Rock the Vote [r]: Add brief definition or description
    To create this article in course-specific format, please open this page in a separate window — it will guide you through the process. After each step that takes you away from this course homepage, check back here and reload the page. If you are ready to start this process, then



  • Stub Sierra Club [r]: Add brief definition or description
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  • Stub Veterans of Foreign Wars [r]: Add brief definition or description
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  • Stub Violence Policy Center [r]: Add brief definition or description
    To create this article in course-specific format, please open this page in a separate window — it will guide you through the process. After each step that takes you away from this course homepage, check back here and reload the page. If you are ready to start this process, then


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