Discussion 1:

"Agenda Setting" Please respond to the following:

· Pick a policy and identify an official actor, an unofficial actor, and an interest group. Discuss how each has used their power and influence to set the agenda for the policy.

· Explain what role the media might play in overcoming the "second face of power." Why does Birkland compare the third face of power to Marxist "False Consciousness"?

Here is a checklist for you to consider as you construct responses for Discussion Question 6.1:

Quality: Did you identify a relevant policy?

Relevance: Did you explain the role of the various actors?

Quality: Did you relate media and the second face of power?

Relevance: Did you discuss the third face of power?

Word Count/Grammar: Is your post written in academic language and not slang or jargon?

Word Count/Grammar: Is your post longer than 250 words?

Participation: Did you provide substantive responses to at least one other post?

Discussion 2:

"Lobbying" Please respond to the following:

· Using the policy identify in Week 6 Discussion Question 1, identify the amount of money that the top three interest groups raised over the last five years.

· Which of the three interest groups best leveraged their resources to affect public policy?

Here is a checklist for you to consider as you construct responses for Discussion Question 6.2:

Quality: Did you use the Week 6 policy?

Relevance: Did you identify the money raised by top interest groups?

Quality: Did you identify the interest group that leveraged resources the best?

Relevance: Did you describe the impact this group had on public policy?

Word Count/Grammar: Is your post written in academic language and not slang or jargon?

Word Count/Grammar: Is your post longer than 250 words?

Participation: Did you provide substantive responses to at least one other post?