FINAL EXAM - PLS321 - The American Political Process
Fall 2004 - Maryville College - O'Gorman - Nine A.M. Th 14 Dec 2006
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 - Governing Issues, Legislative Agendas, How a Bill Becomes a Law, The Internet and American Politics, Interest Groups and Pluralism, Political Reform
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 information on the Mother's Milk/Money in Politics Theme, Campaigning and the Formal/Informal Schedule, Presidential v. Congressional/Local Campaigns, Media's Role in Elections & its critique.
Remember Examples and Pro/Con....EVERY ANSWER is viewed in multiple ways...
APPLIED INFORMATION: (30 Points=About 10(?) questions of varying point values) Please answer ALL the questions listed below, following the directions specific to each question.
Campaign schedules for a Presidential candidate
How a Bill becomes a law
Drawing what actors impact/interact with an elected leader
Examples of PACs, Soft v. Hard Money Organization
And other things that suggest drawing a picture, making a list...
ESSAY: (40 Points) Please write a carefully constructed essay that answers the question, provides examples of your understanding of the American Political Process.
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 THE AMERICAN POLITICAL PROCESS is AS important as the content of the issues you raise in the essay
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 does the Internet and Campaign Spending/Money in American Politics intersect? How does the Media impact Governing AND Campaigning?...)
The primary texts in the course: The Asher and Bimber texts, Baker's House and Senate and Greenstein's The Presidential Difference, along with reserve readings and class handouts, should be used in this essay. Using examples from the texts - beyond what we spoke about in class - will be one indicator in writing an "A" essay!
Using the notes from class to guide you as to what I think is most important, and then building on that information with examples and book material, is a good study strategy for the essay, & the exam
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
And THANKS for a great semester of political analysis!