Study Suggestions Final Exam

The following are some key areas to focus on for each chapter. I hope this helps in your overall review of material reviewed this summer session.

(Painting from Norman Rockwells "Four Freedoms" series: Freedom from Fear)


1 Citizenship

• What are examples of your civic life vs. your private life?
• Can you name some newer opportunities for citizen participation that states have provided?
• Have Americans become one class, or do major divides still exist between us? What are some of these differences?
• What's the most common reason given by 18-25 year olds for not voting?

2 Constitution

• What is meant by the principle of "consent of the governed", and what is a good example of how we regularly demonstrate our consent or dissent?
• What were the basic elements of the "Great Compromise" in 1787?
• What are the 3 basic principles embodied in the Constitution that control how each branch relates to each other, and how the national government relates to the states?

3 Federalism

• Why didn't the framers select a unitary model for how the government would function?
• What effect did the 1857 Dred Scott decision (before the Civil War) by the Supreme Court have on federal and state relations?
• Did states or the national government gain power during the bulk of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Administration?

4 Civil Liberties

• Do most of the Bill of Rights apply to actions by the states as well as the national government?
• What are the two (2) basic clauses of the First Amendment pertaining to religion?
• What are the three (3) basic elements of the Miller Test, and what happens when an activity or object does not meet all the criteria in the test?

5 Civil Rights

• The North won the Civil War. But, why did Jim Crow laws take hold in the South, and what form did they take?
• Chief Justice Earl Warren and the unanimous court spoke clearly through their words and vote re: the need to eliminate the post Civil War approach of "separate but equal" in the Brown v Board of Education decision (s). What was the essence of these decisions?
• What were the main implications of the Bakke v Regents of California Supreme Court case?

6 Public Opinion

• What are the "agents of political socialization"?
• What are some differences between men and women in political opinions?
• The word "salience" in political opinion refers to what personal aspect of various issues and topics?

7 Political Participation

• "What's the "rational actor" theory?
• To participate in the political process, what three (3) conditions must be met for you to do so?
• What are some of the factors affecting voter "turnout"?

8 Interest Groups

• The practice of influencing public decisions for largely private purposes is referred to as _______?
• People often do not make a "rational" choice re: being involved with an interest group vs. being "free rider". What is meant by this?
• Does the White house lobby Congress, or vice versa, or do both lobby each other?

9 Parties and Political Campaigns

• What is the process of identifying potential political supporters and designing a customized messages and mobilizing them to come out for an election is called:
• Why do we only have two main parties in the United States?
• Splinter, single issue and ideological parties: examples of each

10 Media

• Characteristic of young persons and the "news"
• Limits placed on television and radio is managed by what agency?
• Two (2) lessons learned by the first presidential debate in 1960 that are still significant today

11 Congress

• Inherent advantages incumbents in Congress have in getting reelected
• How often does reapportionment occur? Why?
• What's the difference between the "delegate", "trustee" and "politico" role of a Congressperson? Can they be performing with all 3 pf these hats?

12 The Presidency

• When do parties select their candidates for the Presidential election?
• What is the significance of the "unit"rule in the Electoral College?
• When can the President exercise the "line item veto" in signing legislation presented to him/her for signing?

13 Bureaucracy

• Key differences between public and private bureaucracies
• What's the main role bureaucrats play in the policy making process?
• What's a "proxy administration?

14 The Courts

• Do judges in our system have some discretion in following precedents in the law?
• What is the principle of "standing" in being heard by a court?
• Basic principles for nominating a Supreme Court justice

15 Public Policy

• Basic stages in policy making and different parties involved
• Characteristics of the uninsured
• National debt vs. the federal deficit: which is greater? How much greater?

16 Foreign and Defense Policy

• Realism, liberalism, idealism and neo-conservatism: how do these apply to foreign policy?
• Key "producers" of foreign policy?
• Why have we maintained cordial relations with China recently, even though we have major issues with this country?
• If you were goig to take a "premptive" action agaist someone, what type of initiative would you take in relation to the other person?

Oops! My Bad

I Forgot to give Quiz #4. Got carried away with my lecture......!

Can take it this Monday, if you wish with Test #4. Or, I'll let you not take it and that won't count against you. Either option, I'll drop lowest quiz grade. OK?

bf

Oral Report Schedule

Let me know if any corrections:


Wednesday, November 25

• Jennifer and Jon-Volunteering and Citizen Engagement
• Andrew, Michael and Kimberly-Teenage Suicide

Monday, November 30

• Darnell And Chris F.-Smoking in Public Places
• Osha and Shiela-Decriminalization of Prostitution-Pros and Cons
• Jon, Ben and Brittany-Why Vote?

Wednesday, December 2

• Alexis and D'Aundria-Do Seniors Behave Badly?
• Jackie-Is Racism Dead?
• Lee, Justin and Casey-Health Care, Past and Present

Friday, December 4

• Matt, Jeff and Sherifatu-Is Marriage a Thing of the Past?
• Donisha, Cherita and Britt-Violence in the Media
• Ian Moran-Is Racism Dead?

Republicans: Who's In/Out for 2012?

"The Insider" Trailer (Whistleblower Against Big Tobacco)

Obama Approval Rating Update

China, our "Frenemy"?

Wow! How times have changed. Richard Nixon altered the world's international balance by visiting Red China when he was President, one of his final great accomplishments. China was viewed then with great anxiety and mystery, as a militaristic adversary filled with millions of mechanized persons working in the rice fields and the gun factories chanting slogans worshipping their Communist Party (actually, this describes what little we know now of North Korea).

Now, China is a world economic superpower on a par with the United States, exporting billions of dollars of goods overseas, and purchasing debt in foreign countries like the United States.

Presient Obama's current visit to China provides an opportunity to review our areas of differences and mutual agreements. What will our respective roles be 10 years from now? Stay tuned! Our lives will be increasingly affected by this evolving relationship. Read the article and watch the brief video.

Obama's Visit to China; NY Times Article and Video

Final Exam Info

Wednesday, December 9
12PM-1:55PM
Room 424

Study Guide Chapters 13-16

Here's some key elements for the Chapters 13-16 to make sure you know. These are not actual 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 notes).



Chapter 13 Bureaucracy-Citizens As Owners and Consumers

• Who ultimately controls the bureaucracy?
• Who owns it? Are we just "customers"?
• When and why did the biggest expansion in the bureaucracy occur?
• Patronage and spoils: what do these terms mean? Which President used these systems of filling jobs?
• Is patronage dead?
• Pendleton Act of 1883
• What is the "merit system"?
• Republican vs. Democratic orientation towards the bureaucracy
• What's "RIP"?
• 4 differences between public and private bureaucracies
• Political vs career bureaucrats
• What's the "proxy" administration?
• Who was Frances Perkins?
• What do bureaucrats do? Rule making and adjudicating disputes
• What is the "Federal Register"?
• Know the 6 major structures within the Federal bureaucracy
• How can Congress limit the bureaucracy?
• What is as good example of Congressional "oversight"?
• Can Congress eliminate a rule approved by an agency? How?
• What role can the President play?
• What is "SES"
• What role does the OMB play (Office of Budget and Management)
• Role of Courts
• Are whistle blowers protected?

Chapter 14 The Courts-Judicial Power in a Democratic Setting

• States and Federal "dual" court system
• What do Federal district Courts deal with?
• How many Courts of Appeals are there nationwide?
• What are "en banc" hearings?
• What is meant by "precedent"?
• Significance of Marbury v. Madison case re: judicial review
• Two types of law and differences. Can you cite examples of each?
• Types of jurisdiction and judiciability
• What is meant by "standing" Can you give an example of not having standing to submit a case?
• Why was Roosevelt upset with the Supreme Court?
• What is now the emphasis on cases heard in the Supreme Court?
• Rule of 4 and "writ of certiorari"
• How many writs are received vs. heard each year?
• How could you be an "amicus curiae"?
• Types of opinions issued?
• 3 types of populations affected by decisions
• What are some external factors that can affect a decision being implemented?
• Judicial activism vs. Judaical restraint
• Qualities of nominees: professional, doctrinal and representational
• Choosing lower court appointees: some issues that have come up re: politicization of the process
• Senatorial courtesy definition
• What are some measures that have enhanced access to the Courts?
• Judges aren't elected. Isn't that undemocratic?

Chapter 15 Public Policy-Responding to Citizens

• Public policies are responses to what?
• Who is ultimately affecteed by social and economic struggles in certain sectors
• What is "public policy"?
• What are 2 basic limits are placed on public policies?
• Various steps in policymaking. Who plays a role in each step (they're different in each step)
• Types of outcomes based on cost and benefits (chart in book...check it out)
• Which policy outcomes are easiest/more difficult to maintain?
• When did the big push on environmental regulation begin?
• What's a "cap and trade" program?
• What was the emhasis in the Rio and Kyota Environmental Protocols?
• Have states gone their own way with environmental regulation?
• How many people are poor, and what % of total population?
• What are TANF restrictions?
• What segment of the population is most vulnerable to the recession?
• What % of the population is uninsured?
• Fiscal policy: Keynsian and supply side: differences?
• What is our national deficit? How much is it projected to be this year? ($1.8 trillion!)
• What % of the budget goes to pay off the debt (9%)
• Monetary policy: who's in charge?
• Reserve requirement, discount rate, open market operations???
• What's easier to fight? Recession or inflation?
• Two opposites: free trade or protectionism: pros and cons
• What is NAFTA. What does the WTO do?

Chapter 16 Foreign and Defense Policy-Protecting American Interests in the World

• Was our country initially desiring to be deeply involved in foreign affiars? Why not?
• What was significance of Roosevelt Corollary (to the Monroe Doctrine)?
• What effect did WWs I & II have on our international perspective?
• Starting with Truman, "containment" was a policy to contain whom or what?
• Did the "MAD" principle work? Is detente a good thing?
• Who became our internation "enemy" after the Cold War?
• What does "preemption refer to?
• What did the "Bush Doctrine" have as it's 3 elements?
• What's the most important element of national interests?
• What 3 components of this element are vital in making national security decisions?
• Liberalism, rerlaism, idealism, and neoconservatism in foreign policy: characteristics?
• Who is, no doubt, the foreign policy chief? (Hint: his initials are BHO)
• The NSC and State Department
• Are the views of the Secretary of State (eg., Hillary Clinton) always reflected in policy?
• Department of Defense and the Intelligence "Community"
• Who gathers intelligence beside the CIA
• Can your phone be wiretapped? When?
• How is Congress involved in foreign policy? Various tools at their disposal are....
• What % of national budget is spent on defense?
• Are you a "cognitive miser"? How does this manifest itself?
• Significance of various tools of foreign policy
• Military power: do other countries spend more based onGross Domestic Product (GDP)?
• Diplomacy: various forms it takes
• Foreign aid: How big a part of budget? Is it worth it?
• International Organizations (UN, NATO, World Bank) Was the US able to get the support of the UN to invade Iraq? Why not?
• Threats
• Terrorism: how do you deal with it: a criminal act? Or, remove their areas of operation? Or, ground fights?
• Nuclear Danger? Who belongs to the nuclear "club"? What is a "missle defense system"? Does it work?
• Regional conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, and elsewhere. What's the 2-state solution proposed by former President Bush? Carnage in Darfur, Rwanda (Hutus and Tutsis). What are rusks of ignoring these areas with constant conflicts? What is "gencide"? Define it.
• China: Friend or foe? Why is their economy so strong?
• Book notes China is second largest debt holder behind Japan...that is now reversed; two flashpoints are what?
• Alternatives to force: soft power! Would you like to be a volunteer to assist those in need overseas? You'll be spreading the good word
  

Leftover Campaign $$$$$$$$$$$$

Can't use it for personal items, travel, gifts, etc. in Federal elections. Local and State laws vary.

FactCheck.org Info

Question re:Impeachment of Clinton

Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives on December 19, 1998. He was acquitted in the Senate on Febraury 12, 1999. He left office in January, 2001. A day before his term was over, he agreed to a 5-year suspension of his law license in Arkansas as part of an agreement to end the investigation of his conduct.

Whistleblower Movie: The Insider

If interested, rent this movie on an insider in the tobacco industry with Russell Crowe...

Tips for Oral Reports

Oral Report Tips and Suggestions (half your oral report grade is on quality of presentation; the rest is on quality of content)

Pitfalls

Speaker

* No eye contact

* Seems like a robot

* Hides behind the lectern

* Speaks too loud/soft

* Sways/fidgets/paces

* Rambles or loses his/her place

* Never gets to the point

* Fumbles with notes, visuals or PowerPoint

* Too much material



Visuals

* Nonexistent

* Hard to see

* Hard to undertand

* Out of sequence

* Shown too rapidly

* Shown too slowly

* Typos and errors

* Too wordy, no pics



Setting

* Too noisy

* Too hot or cold

* Too large or small

* Too bright for visuals

* Too dark for your notes

* Missing equipment

* Broken equipment

* Ridiculously complicated equipment



Planning Your Presentation

* Two-three sentence “purpose of your presentation”

* Analyze your listeners

* Analyze your speaking situation

* Select appropriate delivery method

* Memorize-only if necessary

* Impromptu-off-the cuff

* Scripted-if very technical

* Extemporaneous with notes-best



Preparing Your Presentation

* Research your topic

* Simplicity & conciseness

* Anticipate Questions

* Outline your presentation

* Plan your visuals

* When will you show certain visuals?

* Which ones work best

* How many visuals are best?

* Are your visuals achievable? What hardware is available?

* What medium is best for your presentation (overheads, PowerPoint, handouts, foam boards, etc.)

* Prepare your visuals

* Be selective

* Easy to read & understand

* 1 point per visual

* Readable to audience

* Limit material on a visual

* Fewest words possible

* 18-24 point sans serif type best

* Each visual a title

* Use color sparingly

* Label diagrams

* Proofread!!!

* Check Room beforehand

* Rehearse Delivery



Delivering Your Product

* Work the “audience” They’re your friend!

* Know your audience!

* Display enthusiasm and confidence

* Be reasonable and considerate of others

* Don’t preach. You’re not a preacher. Avoid jokes and wisecracks….not cool.

* Keep your listeners oriented. Let them know where you’re going.

* Introduce your topic clearly

* Establish common ground

* Provide good transitions between points

* Give examples!

* Review and interpret what you’ve said

* Leave people with something to remember

* Thank your listeners!

* Ask for any questions

This is Different.............

What's it like being President vs. running for President. Big differences. How is Obama adapting? Read the NY Times article below.

Being vs. Running

Study Guide Chapters 9-12

Here's some key elements for the Chapters 9-12 to make sure you know. These are not actual 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 notes).


Chapter 9-Parties and Political Campaigns

What's "microtargeting"?

What functions do political parties serve?

Are parties described in great detail in the constitution?

Why only 2 main parties?

Single-member districts, plurality Electoral College and Duverger's law: define

Are parties that are radical in philosophy often successful? Why or why not?

Who regulates parties and elections?

Pluses and minuses of public financing

Five major party eras: Federalist/Anti-federalist, Whig/Democrat/Republican, Republican/Democrat machine politics, Populist Reform, New Deal, (Post New Deal)

Gender gap between parties

Realignment shifts: what causes them?

What are "critical elections"? What happens?

Are we in a period of "dealignment"?

Hard and soft money....what's the difference in politics?

What's a party platform and how is it decided? When?

Are convention delegates just like most of us? Or not?

What do elected politicians in "safe seats" do with extra money they have?

What political unit is closest to the voter?

Splinter parties, ideological parties and single issue candidates:

What do third parties' success signal?

What does it mean that elections are "candidate-centered"?

What do PACs and 527 groups do? How are they financed?

Are people of more modest means increasingly contributing to campaigns?

Various types of primaries

Earned (free) media vs. paid media

Pluses and minuses of "attack" campaigning

Characteristics of last election: changes and continuity

Young voters: did they vote in huge numbers? Who did they vote for?

What's more likely: prospective or retrospective voting?

Bradley effect

Importance of personal characteristics in a candidate: can we relate to them?


Chapter 10 Media-Tuning In or Tuning Out

Trends in traditional media consumption

Emphasis on infotainment and combative journalism

Role of newspapers before the revolution

Early close relationship between politics and the press

Who's the "Yellow Kid"? What's "muckraking"?

Shift early in twentieth century away from interpreting the news, and focusing on "facts"

Radio and TV's role: growth of news consumption

Growth of "narrowcasting"

1/3 of young say they have no knowledge about any "news"

Huge growth in options to the public to gain knowledge

Private ownership of broadcast and print outlets

Ownership of multiple outlets (print, broadcast) now legal

News as spectacle...what is meant by this?

Is local or national news more popular?

Is the press too "soft" on political leaders? When did a reporter "rough up" a candidate?

Is there political bias among journalistic reporting?

Free (earned) media: candidates' actions broadcast as "news"

Who has more to gain in debates? The incumbent or the challenger.

What's the "living room" test?

Pluses and minuses of getting political info from "bloggers".

"Game-like" coverage of political races

Shifts in election-night coverage due to problems occurring

Acrimonious relationship between President and the press

How does an administration make sure all staff talk with the same voice?

According to the authors, how does the press treat coverage of Congress and it's problems and accomplishments?

Unique aspects of Supreme Court coverage; what is focus of media coverage?

What are "news grazers"?

Chapter 11 Congress- Doing the Peoples Work

What was the "Great Compromise"

Enumerated and powers denied

Reduction in party powers over the years

Changes in Congress in the 1950s and 1960s

Practice of sharing resources in safe districts with less safe districts

Power of the incumbency: some examples

How are mid-term elections unique? What happens to the President's party?

Redistricting, reapportionment, minority/majority districts and gerrymandering

Delegate, trustee and politico role: define

How well represented are minorities and women?

How much does a Congress member make in salary?

What kind of restrictions are there on Congress members of taking favors from lobbyists?

Standing, select, joint and conference committees: role of each?

What is a "pork barrel" project? Are they legal?

Partisan politics....why can't we all just get along?

House and Senate leadership: who heads each? What's a "whip"

How important is the "chair"?

Discharge petitions, filibustering, holds and cloture:define

What's a "pocket veto"? Markup?

Role of Congress in declaring war/the War Powers Resolution: what does it say?

How can Congress stop a war?

Impeachment: who starts it? What are standards for impeachment?

What was a "legislative veto"?

Who starts the budget process?

Various manifestations of "advise and consent" with Senate

Chapter 12-The Presidency-Power and Paradox

What happened to Bush's huge mandate in 2004 from the voters? Why?

Why does the President have to be "natural born"?

Authority granted by Article II of the Constitution

Shifting role of President over the years: early strength in early years, followed by more modest est role after Civil War. Early part of twentieth century showed public looking to President again

Role of public financing, and problems

What's a "caucus" used to select candidates?

How have Presidential conventions changes? What are they now: all show and no substance?

Electoral college and the 'unit rule". Who chooses a President if no majority?

What's a "faithless" elector?

Secure the base and win the battleground states strategy

Expressed, delegated and discretionary powers of the President

When would you use a "recess" appointment if you were President?

Can the President "impound" funds he doesn't want to spend?

Line-item veto and the Supreme Court. What did they decide?

How extensive are the "emergency" powers of the President?

Can you name some Presidential doctrines? What's the "Bush Doctrine"?

When do Presidents have an easier time getting their agendas passed by Congress?

Signing statements a "back door" line-item veto?

Who's in the Cabinet? What do they do?

EOP, NSC, OMB: Who the heck are they?

Party On!

• The Unity Party of the United States-Darnell Roberts


• Religious Combo Party (?)-Kimberly Gibbons


• Equal Rights Party-Harvey Smith


• Trinity Party-Andrew Farmer


• Women's Progressive Party-Jacquline Boware


• Come Together Party-Brittany Bretz


• Positive Advance Party-Sherifa


• Sparkly Vampires Party-Lee Beavers


• Workers Party-Jennifer Hageman


• Optimistic Party-Jonathan Morris


• Free Health Care for Students-Ohsha Cloyd


• Come Together Party-Alexis Burlingame


• Republican Liberation Party-Britt Reining


• Live Longer Party-Casey Church


• Teen Rights Party-D'Aundria Dukes


• Women Walking Tall-Shiela Disler


• Party of The Mind-Justin Price


• TFUIOA (abbrev.) Party-Matt Hazlett

Interstate Insurance Sales

Darnell asked a question whether you can buy an insurance policy from another State where it might be cheaper. Now, you can't. Maybe you could with health care reform.

Buy Insurance Elsewhere

Minnesota may be the first state to pass a law allowing this practice.

Pawlenty Proposal

Beacon Journal Endorsements

In case you want to see who the paper recommends:

 Beacon Recommendations