Study Guide for Test #2

Here's your study guide for Test #2 a little early to help you prepare as soon as possible.

Here's some key elements for the Chapters 5-8 to make sure you know. These are not test questions, but will give you an idea how well you know the material. Use this study guide in addition to your notes from the text and lectures and the web resource for your text.



Chapter 5 Civil Rights-Toward a More Equal Citizenry

What is the focus of civil rights vs civil liberties?

What are the implications of the Dred Scott case?

What 3 key civil rights Constitutional Amendments passed after the Civil War, and what did they involve?

Jim Crow laws: what were they?

Plessey vs. Ferguson case: what was decided and implications?

Role of NAACP

Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education decisions: implications for schools and society

Dejure and defacto segregation: differences

Civil Rights Act of 1964 and EEOC; Voting Rights Act of 1965

Judicial tests for equal protection under the 14th Amendment: rational basis, intermediate scrutiny and strict scrutiny: how are they applied and when

Affirmative Action's purpose and impact on education

Reverse discrimination

Differences in civil rights efforts for Native Americans, Hispanics and Asians

Civil rights for disabled, gays and lesbians and seniors; know the key civil rights elements for each of these 3 sectors of the population and key legislation

Equal rights for women: historical context and relationship with

African American movement; key milestones, including 3 key events that spurred on the "second" women's rights movement

Male vs. female earnings differences past and present

Comparable pay: what is this? Pros and cons

Burden of proof in sexual harassment cases; who is responsible

Changing nature of role in the military for women

Environmental vs. quid pro quo harassment definition

Chapter 6 Public Opinion-Listening to Citizens

Are voters swayed by something as basic as their use of language?

What values does our politcal culture contain?

Do politicians value more the opinions of certain people on certain subjects?

Opinions vs. judgment: differences

What's a "straw poll"? Push poll? Worm poll?

Who designed the first "scientific poll"?

Surveys are "ubiquitous". What does this mean?

Life cycle and generational effects on political socialization

Family, educational and religious influences

Are most churches fully integrated?

According to authors, does the media have a strong or minimal effect on our political views? Does this surprise you?

Racial and gender differences in political views. Is there a gender gap? A racial gap?

Where is political involvement for women greatest?

3 strains of political culture in most states: what are they (p.134)

Direction, salience, intensity, stability apply to what?

Push and exit polls....definitions please

How do you achieve random sampling in a poll?

What happens if you have a large sampling error?

What's a leading question? Give me an example

4 basic ideologies (p. 142)

Is there a close relationship between public opinion and public policy?

Is confidence in our institutions on the rise? How about trust?

Chapter 7-Political Participation-Equal Opportunities and Unequal Voices

The "rational actor" theory: what does it say?

Are you a "free rider". Explain

Amount of info conveyed and variation in frequency and strength are key aspects of political action in a democracy

What are 5 factors having to do with access to resources for effective political activity?

Dimensions of political engagement: internal and external efficacy, political information, and strength of identification

Does voting increase with age, and then drop off eventually?

Who votes the least in terms of age? Gender? Race? Employment? Education? Income? and Region?

Do we vote in large relative numbers when looking at # of registered voters in other countries?

Our 2 party system stifles participation; we focus on appealing to everyone, and thus lose many

What causes "voter fatigue"?

"Checkbook Democracy" a sign of the times?

What are some ways to improve voter participation?

Public schools are abandoning what traditional function of public schools as related to our democratic heritage?

Chapter 8 Interest Groups in America

Inside vs. outside strategies used by lobbyists

What is an interest group? What do they seek to influence?

How have they been viewed historically? Glue for society or a bunch of passionate rebels who need to be managed?

How are interest groups and political movements different?

Economic, ideological or public interest types

Why have interest groups exoloded over the last several decades?

Where did the practice of "lobbying" get it's name?

Change in character of interest groups over time (role of citizens more passive: relegated to writing checks vs local organization).

Who's the biggest?

Who has the cash?

Who's unrepresented? Why?

Why you join: material, solidary, purposive, assessing motives. What's the strongest reason of these to join?

Give some examples of leadership as a strategy to get traction for an issue. Can you name a leader who has been visible for some causes. Michael Jackson?

Who are the lobbyists?

Why do elected Congresspersons like many lobbyists? What are some of the benefits lobbyisits supply?

Does the White house have lobbyists? Why? Who do they lobby? If Congress won't listen, who can lobbyists turn to?

Agency "capture", "iron triangles" and "issue networks". What are they?

Reulating lobbyists-some examples

What are PACs? What limits are on them?

What are "527" groups? Are they well regluated?

"Political disadvantage theory"

Who is mobilized when you mobilize the "grass tops"?

Coalitions and protests: how effective. Who protests?

What types of groups are young people like you interested in joining?