Chapter 1 (Foundations of Government):
-Politics, Political Science, Government (define each and contrast)
-What is democracy? What are the 3 basic principles or “essentials” of democratic government?
-What is direct & representative democracy? (define and contrast)
-The Political Spectrum (explain & contrast “Right Wing” and “Left Wing” ideologies)
-Group Theories of Power: Majoritarianism, Elitism, and Pluralism (define and contrast)
Chapter 2 (The Constitution):
-Enlightenment Thinkers (Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu). What were their contributions to our constitutional government?
-Social Contract (define and provide an example)
-Locke’s Unalienable Rights and Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence (explain the connection).
-List the seven principles of the US Constitution (hint: you can find this online).
-Articles of Confederation. Why was this constitution not successful?
-US Constitution and the Bill Rights (briefly explain the seven articles and the first 10 amendments)
-Federalist Papers (explain their relevance)
-What was the New Jersey Plan? The Virginia Plan? Connecticut Compromise?
-Federalists and Anti-Federalists (who were they, their beliefs, and contrast)
-Strict and Loose Interpretation of the US Constitution (explain and contrast)
-Checks and Balances & Separation of Powers. How are they related and how are they different?
-The Amendment Process in US Constitution (explain)
Chapter 3 (Federalism):
-Intergovernmental Relationships: Federalism, Unitary System, Confederative System. Define all three. Which one of these three IGRs did the US adopt per the constitution?
-Types of Federalism: Vertical & Horizontal. (define both) How is the Supremacy Clause related to vertical federalism? How is the Full Faith and Credit Clause related to horizontal federalism?
-Enumerated and Implied Powers (define and contrast). Concurrent Powers. (define) Reserved Powers (10th amendment). (define)
-Writ of Habeas Corpus (define). Who can suspend this writ and in what circumstances?
-What is Interstate Rendition (Extradition). Is this vertical or horizontal federalism?
-Changing Faces of Federalism: Dual (Layer-Cake), Cooperative (Marble-Cake), New Federalism (Reagan Era). (explain all three)
-Grants-in-aid (Block, Project, Categorical, Formula). (Explain all four)
-What are the positives and negatives of federalism?
Chapter 4 (Political Socialization):
-Public Opinion (define and provide examples).
-Political Culture (define and provide examples)
-Explain the difference between public opinion and political culture?
-Political Socialization. (define) Does this process end at any point in a person’s life?
-Name all of the “agents of political socialization?”
Chapter 5 (Political Parties)
-Political Parties (define). What are the main objectives of political parties?
-Overall, what was the founding fathers opinion of political parties? What does the constitution say about political parties?
-History of American Political Parties: what are the two major parties from the 1790s to the 1820s? 1820s to 1860s? Since the 1860s, the two major parties in our country have been the Democrats and Republicans. From 1860s to 1930s, which party was liberal and which one was conservative? How about from the 1960s to present?
-What are the three interrelated components of political parties?
-What are party platforms? In general, know where modern-day Democrats and Republicans stand on the issues (this you do not have to write down….just know generally where each of them stand on current issues).
-Identify the red regions (Republican) and blue regions (Democratic) in the US: Southeast? Northeast? Midwest? Great Plains? Rocky Mountains? Pacific Coast? Purple states (swing states)?
-Identify the following voting rights amendments: 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th.
-Are US political party organizations structurally top-down or bottom-up? What is the most important unit of a political party?
-What are factions?
-We have a two party system in the US because of our Winner-Take-All System. What is this and how does this force a two party system in the US?
Chapter 6 (Elections and Campaigns)
-Does the constitution say anything about campaigns and elections? So, who runs the elections process: federal or state government?
-What are primary elections? What is an open primary? Closed primary? Caucus?
-Who formally nominates the president every four years: the people or party delegates? What is the DNC and what is their purpose? RNC?
-What are general elections? Which federal offices are chosen by popular vote?
-House of Representatives is based on population (435 members), while the Senate is based on equality (2 per state=100 members). Pertaining to the House specifically, define Census, Reapportionment, Redistricting, and Gerrymandering.
-What is the Electoral College?
-List five Campaign Strategies.
-What is the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971
-What is the purpose of the Federal Elections Commission?
-What are Political Action Committees?
-Citizens United V. Federal Election Commission (Supreme Court case) led to the creation of SuperPACs. What are SuperPACs?
Chapter 7 (The Media)
-List the nine different types of mass media?
-How does the media effect government and public opinion?
-What is the purpose of the Federal Communication Commission?
-Has the media become more or less regulated over time? How has this effected political polarization in the media?
-Freedom of the press is in the first amendment. What are the limitations of press?
-What are the seven political functions of the mass media? Give a very brief description of each.
-What is yellow journalism? Provide an example.
Chapter 8 (Interest Groups)
-What are Interest Groups?
-In Federalist #10, James Madison writes about factions? In this context, what two political groups did he referring to? In general, how did Madison view these factions?
-Compare and contrast interest groups with political parties
-What are the main purposes of an interest group?
-Two main types of interest groups: public interest and private interest. Define each and give examples.
-List and briefly describe the five roles of interest groups.
-What are the three strategies of interest groups?
-What are iron triangles? What iron triangle did President Eisenhower warn the US about in his farewell address in 1961?
-What are the pros and cons of interest groups?
Answer each question , copy and paste the questions and answer below it.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|