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Answer each prompt in the essay question in a way that demonstrates an excellent understanding of the course concepts for the specific question topic.
Use course materials to help support your answer to the question. Course material includes Topics Lectures and Commentary, the textbook, other course readings (including those for discussions). [Note: You do not need to use all of these resources for each question, just what you find helpful in supporting your answer. Also, external sources beyond course materials are not needed.]
Be written in a clear and easy to follow manner, with few grammatical errors.
Provide in-text citations for materials used, as needed. Example: (Women’s Rights in the USA, pg. 123) or (Topic 5 Lecture 1).
links to help with background but dont quote video the video is my proffessor going over lectures
pick only 4 out of the 6 questions
GSW/POL 231 Sex, Power, and Public Policy
Midterm Exam Fall 2021
Important: Before starting this exam, please go to Midterm Exam Information and Study Session module on Canvas to review the information and expectations about the exam on Canvas.
The Midterm Exam is due no later than 11:59 pm on Tuesday, October 26th.
Before answering the questions on the exam, save this document to your hard drive, desktop, or zip drive.
Answer four of the following questions. Make sure to include the question at the start of each answer. For questions you are not answering, either skip over it or delete the question and move to the next one.
1. Describe what is meant by the term “feminism,” making sure to address differences within feminism and how what it means to be a feminist has changed over time. Thinking about the intersection of feminism and public policy, what role has feminism played in the public policy process? How has that role changed over time? Do you think it is useful for feminism to play a role in the public policy process today? Explain why or why not.
2. The process of public policy is a vital aspect of American government and politics. In this essay, describe the public policy process, making sure to explain the role policy communities, historical context, and the institutions of American government play in the making of public policy. Considering the different steps in the process, which step do you find the most important to making policy? Why? Explain.
3. Of the cases covered in Topic 3 (Reed v. Reed, Frontiero v. Richardson, Craig v. Boren, and United States Virginia) which two do you think are most important in the effort to further gender equality in the United States? Why these two and not the others? Explain. In your answer, make sure to describe the main facts of the case, the decision of the Court, and the general importance of this case to gender equality.
4. The struggle for women’s suffrage was long and diverse. Many (both men and women) did not support the ratification of the 19th Amendment. First, describe the “Antis” reasons for opposing ratification of the 19th. Of these reasons, which one(s) do you think would have been most political persuasive, in light of the prevailing norms and values of the early 20th century? Next, describe the two major reasons, as outlined in the textbook and lectures, for ratifying the 19th Amendment. Given the time period, which of these two reasons do you think would be more effective in persuading people to support ratification? Explain.
5. The textbook discusses three phases that illustrate the way contraceptives have been defined in and regulated by public policy. Describe each of these phases, including historical and judicial factors that shaped these definitions and the way these definitions impacted access to contraceptives. Thinking of current access to and attitudes towards contraceptives, do these three phases/definitions continue to shape contraceptive policy today? Explain your answer.
6. Describe how abortion policy has evolved in the United States, making sure to reference law prior to Roe, after Roe, and after Casey. According to Casey, abortion law is only invalid if it places a “substantial obstacle” in the path of women seeking an abortion. Explain what the Court has (and has not) considered a “substantial obstacle. What do you think about the Casey standard? Is this an improvement over the trimester framework used in Roe? Does Casey go far enough to protect women’s right to privacy as it relates to abortion? Explain your answer. Finally, there is a less than insignificant chance that Roe v. Wade will be overturned during the 2021-22 Supreme Court term. If Roe is overturned, explain the impact this could have on abortion policy.
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