Pol 101 – How to Prepare for Exam 1
Instructions:
This examination consists of three
parts. Two sections will be
completed in class on October 2. Part
1 is the required essay question (no choice) you will answer in class in the
blue book provided by the instructor. You
should take approximately one hour to write this essay.
Then fill in the answers on the exam pages to the short answer questions
in Part 3 during the final 20 minutes of class.
The second essay portion of the exam, Part 2, is a take home essay applying course concepts from the first portion of the course to an outside activity such as a government meeting, community service or speech. This last third of the exam will be handed out as a take home essay to be word processed and turned in on Tuesday, October 7 in class.
Major In Class Essay
(50 points): How to Prepare For
This Essay Which Will Ask You to Tie Things Together
First
hint: Use the handout from the
instructor on important terms and concepts to know what things you will be
tested on. Begin studying for the
exam by learning these terms, people, theories and concepts before you think
about tying them together in an essay.
We have begun this semester examining various ways that democratic theory has been envisioned in the U.S. and elsewhere. Prepare for this essay by learning the various types of democracy (process, participatory, elitist, pluralist, direct, indirect, representative, town hall meeting, the Wisconsin Idea, etc.) that we have studied. How do the decisions about the role of the people, checks and balances, federalism etc. in our constitution affect how democratic we are as a nation today? How do our constitutional guarantees apply to definitions of American democracy? What conclusions about American democracy’s strengths and weaknesses can you draw from the civil rights and civil liberties examples used in class and in your readings? Use class handouts, the study guide & terms, and Greenberg and Page to analyze how you would like to improve upon democracy in America during this century. Emphasis should be on explanation and analysis. In this essay you should be able to explain in depth the important concepts and terms we use in defining democracy; cite relevant readings and arguments from the authors, instructor, and other sources to show your knowledge and give your analysis about how you would like to improve American democracy. Consider the framer's of the constitution, or political commentators, your instructor or your own ideas about what is most important when we are defining democracy. In other words, when you are studying for the exam consider what are the strengths and weaknesses of American democracy today and how would you like us to change our theory of American democracy? If you believe American democracy is very good, then be able to explain the criticisms of democracy discussed in your readings and in class and explain which criticisms you think are appropriate and which you tend to dismiss.
Short Answer
Section of Exam 1 (25 points) - How to Prepare
This section seeks to confirm student knowledge of the
important theories, individuals, terms and concepts we have studied in this
portion of the course. While
Greenberg and Page mention thousands of things and put hundreds of terms in bold
to highlight them in their textbook, you will be responsible for knowing the
items on our class handout. I
provide this list of approximately 75 names, ideas, concepts, etc. to emphasize
the things to learn in depth rather than asking students to memorize hundreds of
items for an exam. Not all of the
things listed on the handout will come from my class presentations. Some things
will be found in your book and in current events occurring during the semester.
We will review current events and the people involved at the beginning of
each class period and you are encouraged to follow the news using the Internet,
television or radio and newspapers or news magazines like Time, Newsweek or
U.S. News and World Report.
Short Answer Example Questions:
1. Identify the name of the two political socialization theorists in the U.S. and indicate the key elements of each theory.
Name 1:____________________ Name 2:______________________
Theory
1:___________________________________________________________________________
Theory 2:___________________________________________________________________________
2. We have studied the Wisconsin Idea and its implications for theorists seeking more individual participation than simply voting. Briefly define the Wisconsin idea and then explain which democratic theory you think it is most important to.
Define:_____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. We have talked about the concepts of representation, constituents, initiatives, petition drives, recalls and referendum in democratic theory (coming from the Progressive Era in early Twentieth Century Wisconsin). Seeing these in action in California this fall,
____________________________________________________________________________________
a)_____________________________________ b)__________________________________
c)_____________________________________ d)__________________________________
5. How do federal categorical or block grants-in-aid differ and which you would use if you want to encourage federal minimum standards or states’ rights?
6. List 3 key events in the civil rights movement:
7. Briefly define the following:
8. Match the following:
Republicanism________ b. Representative democracy
Separation of Powers_________ c. Process theory
d. Levels of government
III. Short
Answer Section (25%) Answer on
these pages
Fill in the blank or indicate the correct
letter for these first questions:
- This semester we have an initiative measure to determine if we should have an elected county executive or continue with an appointed county administrator. Initiatives and referendum are considered to be which type of democracy? (circle correct response)
a. pluralist b. participatory c. elitist d. representative
- Explain your selection in #1______________________________________________
- The Wisconsin Idea:_____________________________________________________
- A recent headline noted Edwards attacks Bush's record. Identify the position
they are running for: _______________________ and each man’s political party:
- Briefly explain Separation of Powers:__________________________________
- Select 4 of the following and briefly define:
- Direct versus representative democracy:
- Charles (and Mary) Beard’s interpretation of the framers of the constitution
- Layer cake (dual) federalism:
- Bicameralism:
- Constituents:
- Devolution:
- Name the presidential and vice presidential candidates for each political party:
President:
Vice President:
Republican:
__________________ _________________
Democrat:____________________
_________________
Green:_______________________ _________________
- Give 3 of the pro’s or con’s of federalism from G&P or Pam’s handout)
1)___________________________________
2)__________________________
3)_____________________________________
- Categorical grants have been used to strengthen federal power setting minimum national standards. Circle correct response:
True False
- As you take this exam, what is the situation in the Middle East?
- What are the public opinion polls telling us about the presidential election this week?
12. Read the following news article and briefly explain the key course concepts used in its analysis:
Concept 2:_________________ Explain:_______________________________________________