### Class Summary Report
#### Title:
Interest Groups and Their Influence on Policy
#### Attendance:
– Number of Students Absent: 3 (Mesra, Hamdan, Bahir)
– Number of Students Present: 7 (Celia, Winslow, Amira, Sajad, Timur, Asel, Bobur)
– Hafasa joined late but was present for the activity.
#### Topics Covered:
1. **Introduction to Interest Groups**
– Importance for upcoming op-eds
– Deadline confirmation for op-ed submission (December 1st)
– Policy brief grading update
2. **Understanding Types of Interest Groups**
– Economic, Labor, Professional Associations, Public Interest, Ideological, Identity-Based, and Single-Issue Interest Groups
– Discussion on goals, objectives, and typical actions of each type
3. **Group Activities**
– Students formed groups to research and present examples of each type of interest group
– Analysis of policy objectives, actions, ethical dilemmas, and unintended consequences
4. **Homework Discussion**
– Students assigned to identify and analyze a local interest group from their home country
#### Actionable Items:
– Grading and feedback on policy briefs to be completed by the upcoming weekend or early next week
– Focus on op-ed development in the next classes (Tuesday and Thursday)
#### Homework:
– Identify one local interest group from home country
– Provide the following information about the chosen interest group:
– Name and objectives of the group
– A specific policy objective the group may pursue
– Actions and strategies likely used to achieve this objective
– Potential ethical dilemmas or issues from the means or ends
– Possible unintended consequences of the group’s means/ends
– Submit the analysis to e-course before the next class