Study Guide forSS the Final

Study Guide for Final

Political Science 1

Mr. Barclay

Some Facts:

A "Blue Book" is required. Pick one up at the bookstore. Do not write your name on the blue book nor make any markings on it of any kind.

The Final will cover Chapters 2,3,13,14,16

The Final will be held in the same room as always (C315) on Thursday, June 1st, 2000. The scheduled time for the final is from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. However, you may report to the final at 9:00 a.m. I will be there at 8:00. The final is designed for about an hour and a half. You may take the scheduled three hours if you need to.

The final will contain 25 multiple-choice questions, 5 terms of identification (I ask you to incorporate an example on each term to demonstrate your understanding), and two essays (to be selected from four choices).

If for some reason you cannot make the final, YOU MUST CONTACT ME beforehand or leave a message for me on my machine. Only under extraordinary circumstances will I give a make-up (a work conflict doesn't apply). My grades are due Friday, the 6th of June before 5 p.m.

Important Concepts to Know:

Federalism
The War Powers Act of 1973
Gerrymandering
Supremacy Clause
Precedent
Common Law
Motor-Voter Law
The makeup of the House of Representatives including qualifications
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Executive Order
US Declarations of War
Jurisdiction
Congressional Budgeting Process
Common Law
The Make-up of the Senate including qualifications
Self-incrimination
Federalists
The Magna Carta
Two Treatises on Government
Confederation
Powers of the Chief Executive
Main Responsibilities of the House
Main Responsibilities of the Senate
Judicial Review
Devolution
Who Introduces Legislation

ESSAY SECTION: Four out of the six essay topics below will be on the final-ultimately you will have to write two essays.

What are negative externalities, and how does their existence justify government regulation?

How has the end of the Cold War altered the international political arena? Generally, what are some of the major obstacles to peace in today's world?

Federalism hinges on cooperation between the national, state, and local governments to work, yet political and ideological tensions are inevitable. Discuss the changing nature of federalism that has characterized different periods of American history, noting the kinds of disagreements between the states and the national government that marked each period.

What are some factors that might explain why the Constitution and the system of government it created have endured over two centuries?

Regulatory agencies wield significant power in our government system. Do they have too much power? Are there significant checks on their actions?

Would imposing term limits on members of Congress reduce the influence of interest groups on American politics? Why or why not?