THE FINAL EXAM TEMPLATE- PLS 232 - Public Policy 

Maryville College - O'Gorman - FALL 2005 - Wednesday 14 December 2005, 1pm Thaw 216

Name:  ____________________________

Please complete two sets of short answers, a group of applied answers and the essay.  PLACE ALL ANSWERS on the separate paper (NOT this answer sheet).  Be sure to sign this exam sheet and turn it in with your answers to receive a grade in the course.  Good Luck!

SHORT ANSWERS:  (30 Points=6 x 5 Pts Each) Please answer four questions from section A and three questions from section B, write a short paragraph explaining the term, providing an example and discussing the "pros and cons" of the term - how it can be viewed in positive and less positive ways.

Section A - Answer Four from this section

1.         2.        3.        4.        5.        6.        7.

Questions from final 1/3rd of the course - National Security (Defense & Foreign Policy); Globalization; Environmental Policy, Policy Evaluation, Economic Policy 

Section B - Answer Two from this section

A.     B.    C.    D.    E.    Questions from the ENTIRE course

Look at your past exam answers, some will be repeats, and for other questions from the toolkit (Models, Contexts, Lowi's 4 policy types, Process Stages and Policies discussed from the first 2/3rd of the course)

Remember Examples and Pro/Con....EVERY ANSWER is viewed in multiple ways...

APPLIED INFORMATION:  (40 Points=About 10(?) questions of varying point values) Please answer ALL the questions listed below, following the directions specific to each question.

1.    Cause and Effect - can you explain the "variable" difference

2.    Lowi Policy Types - Learn 'em, Live 'em, Love 'em and provide an example

3.    Stages in the Policy Process - See #2 - w/out an example

4.    Models - #2 Again

5.    Contexts - #2 AGAIN!!

6.    Evaluation Techniques - How does one evaluate a policy?

7.    And ANYTHING ELSE IN THE TOOLBOX - Drawing Diagrams, Pictures, etc. 

ESSAY: (30 Points)  Please write a carefully constructed essay that answers the question, provides examples of your understanding of public policy and the materials in this course, and helps

    This essay will be comprehensive, linking the material in the final 1/3rd of the class with other materials from throughout the course.  Using examples from the reading, handouts and/or class discussions is required for a strong essay.  USING THE LANGUAGE OF PUBLIC POLICY IS A CRITICAL REQUIREMENT - open up the toolbox!

Look at old exams,  think of ways to link topics from the first 2/3rd of the course with the final 1/3rd of the course  ( How is globalization linked to health policy?  How is National Security linked to civil rights?  In what ways?  How does the Public Policy Toolbox help explain these questions?

MUCH of the Test Material will come from the Dye Understanding Public Policy textbook, but questions/information from reserve readings and the Issues For Debate in Public Policy book are VERY MUCH appreciated, and will be one indicator in writing an "A" essay! 

Good Luck!

  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!