Unit 1: Media Literacy and Government

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Questions and Answers

What is mass media?

Communication channels that reach large audiences. (correct)

A term for social interactions in communities.

Communication channels that reach small audiences.

A historical term used only for newspapers.

What does media literacy help individuals to do?

Accurately spread misinformation.

Simply consume media without questioning.

Critically assess information and make informed decisions. (correct)

Only create media content effectively.

What distinguishes disinformation from misinformation?

Disinformation is false information spread with intent to mislead. (correct)

Disinformation is true but misleading.

Misinformation is spread with the intent to harm.

Both terms are interchangeable.

How does fake news differ from bias news?

Fake news comprises entirely false information, while bias news may present factual info influenced by perspective. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of lateral reading?

To check multiple sources to verify information. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to read beyond the headline?

Headlines are often designed to mislead and grab attention. Signup and view all the answers

What does an anonymous article typically indicate?

The article is more likely to lack credibility. Signup and view all the answers

What does completing a reverse image search involve?

Pasting an image into a search engine to find its source. Signup and view all the answers

What defines recycled news?

Content that has been reused without new reporting. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it crucial to identify satirical articles?

To avoid sharing misleading content as factual. Signup and view all the answers

How do social media algorithms affect bias?

They reinforce existing user biases. Signup and view all the answers

What are fact-checking resources used for?

To evaluate claims and verify accuracy. Signup and view all the answers

What influenced the constitutional ideas outlined in the Articles of Confederation?

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy model. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of party is characterized by its focus on a single specific issue?

Single-Issue Party Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant reason for party realignment in American politics?

Shifts in demographics or major political events Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the Articles of Confederation is true?

They gave most power to individual states. Signup and view all the answers

Who primarily made up the New Deal Coalition that supported the Democratic Party?

Working-class individuals, African Americans, and labor unions Signup and view all the answers

What was revealed by Shays' Rebellion?

The need for a stronger central government. Signup and view all the answers

Who is referred to as the 'father of the Constitution'?

James Madison. Signup and view all the answers

What was a core belief of the New Right in contrast to the New Left?

Promoting traditional values and limited government Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributed to the fall of the New Deal Coalition in the 1960s?

Shift in civil rights and social issues Signup and view all the answers

What was a key reason for discarding the Articles of Confederation?

They were too weak to address economic and interstate conflicts. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a main concern for those who refused to sign the Constitution?

The absence of a Bill of Rights. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 3/5ths Compromise address?

The counting of slaves for representation and taxation. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bicameral' mean in the context of the legislative branch?

Composed of two chambers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following principles indicates that the government powers are restricted by the Constitution?

Limited Government Signup and view all the answers

How many total representatives does the House of Representatives have?

435 Signup and view all the answers

What makes the U.S. Constitution a 'living document'?

It can be amended and interpreted to meet societal needs. Signup and view all the answers

Who was notably absent from the Constitutional Convention?

Women, enslaved people, Native Americans, and most working-class men. Signup and view all the answers

How often are members of the Senate up for election?

Every 6 years Signup and view all the answers

What defines 'expressed/enumerated' powers of Congress?

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'elastic clause' allow Congress to do?

Make laws deemed 'necessary and proper' Signup and view all the answers

What was Washington's main warning in his 'Farewell Address'?

The consequences of political parties Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the Two-Party system in the U.S.?

It is characterized by the dominance of two major political parties. Signup and view all the answers

What are Third parties in the context of U.S. politics?

Minor parties that oppose the two major parties Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of political parties?

To enact policies beneficial to their members Signup and view all the answers

What were the first political parties in the United States?

The Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unit 1: Media Literacy and Introduction to Government

Mass Media: Communication channels, like TV, radio, newspapers, and the internet, that reach large audiences and shape public opinion.
Media Literacy: The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media. Important for critical evaluation of information.
Content Categories:
Disinformation: Deliberately false information spread to mislead.
Malinformation: True information presented out of context to mislead.
Misinformation: Incorrect or false information spread unintentionally.
Fake News vs. Bias: Fake news is entirely false, while bias news presents factual information with author or media outlet's subjective viewpoint.
Lateral Reading: Verifying information by consulting multiple sources. Crucial for credible information before sharing.
Reverse Image Search: Uploading an image into a search engine to find its origin, verifying authenticity.
Reading Beyond Headlines: Going beyond headlines to understand full article context, which often presents a different perspective. Headlines are designed to grab attention but can be misleading.
Anonymous Authors: Suspicious articles without authors are less credible as it's harder to verify the author's qualifications and motivation.
Recycled News: Content reused without new reporting; be wary of old articles. Check publication dates for originality.
Satire: Humor used to criticize or mock, making it appear like news. Must be identified before sharing as fact.
Bias: A tendency to favor one viewpoint over another. Social media often reinforces bias.

Unit 2: The Constitution

Constitutional Inspirations:
Greece/Rome: Direct democracy and republicanism.
Enlightenment: Concepts of natural rights, separation of powers, social contract.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy: Model of a unified union of sovereign states.
State Constitutions: Influenced individual rights and separation of powers.
Articles of Confederation: A weak central government that demonstrated need for stronger federal system.
Articles of Confederation Weaknesses:
Power centralized in states, weak central government structure.
Lack of taxing authority and inability to regulate interstate/national commerce.
Successes of the Articles:
Won the Revolutionary War, system for creating new states.
Shays' Rebellion: Exposed weaknesses of the Articles, highlighting the need for a stronger central government. Articles couldn't respond to economic crisis.
Constitutional Convention:
"Father of the Constitution": James Madison.
Reasons for Article Rejection: Ineffective, unable to handle the country's issues, mainly economic, interstate conflicts. Reasons for non-signatures: Lack of Bill of Rights.
Compromises: 3/5ths, Great Compromise, Electoral College.
Completed Constitution: Framework for federal government, establishing power balance between states and national government.
Absent Voices: Women, enslaved persons, Native Americans, and most working-class men were excluded from the convention.
Living Document: The Constitution is amendable allowing interpretation for social changes.
Basic Principles: Popular Sovereignty (people's power), Limited Government (constitutional limits), Separation of Powers (dividing powers), Checks and Balances (branches check each other), Federalism (state/federal division), Judicial Review (court's power to declare laws unconstitutional).

Unit 3: The Branches of Government

Legislative Branch: Congress, bicameral (House of Representatives, Senate), detailed legislative process outlined.
House of Representatives: 435 members, based on population per state, two-year terms.
Senate: 100 senators (2 per state), six-year terms, ⅓ up for election every two years.
Powers: Expressed/Enumerated (listed, like taxation/commerce), Implied (necessary & proper), and the Elastic Clause.
Bill to Law Process: Bill passing through both houses of Congress and signing by the President.

Unit 4: Parties & Voting

Federal System: Established by the Constitution, division of power between national and state governments.
Washington's Warning: Against political parties, foreign alliances.
Early Parties: Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties.
Party Differences: Federalists favored strong central government, Democratic-Republicans advocated for states' rights.
Coalitions & Reallignment:
New Deal Coalition: A group of diverse voters, who initially supported Democrats.
Third Parties: Minor parties often face challenges with funding and media attention. Different types include; single-issue, ideological, and splinter.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamentals of media literacy and its significance in understanding government communications. It covers essential topics such as disinformation, bias, and techniques for verifying information. Grow your ability to critically analyze media messages.