Spring Exam Study Guide
Spring Exam Study Guide
The semester two exam will include material examined in this course during the second semester. Throughout this semester, we have striven to develop an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. To achieve this perspective, we have examined the Constitutional foundations of our government, the institutions which make up our three branch system of government, and the groups, ideas, and beliefs the constitute U.S. politics.
You can download review charts and tables here: reviewspring-08.doc
Topics
Unit 6: Constitutional Foundations
- Pathways of Action, the U.S. Constitution, and Federalism
- Living Democracy Chapter 1, Chapter 2 & Chapter 3
- Points of View Chapter 2: The Constitution & Chapter 3: Federalism–Gay Marriage
- Gay Marriage Debate | Timeline of Federalism PPTs
Unit 7: The Institutions of Government
- The Congress, the Presidency
- Living Democracy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 8
- Points of View: Chapter 10: The Congress—Redistricting, Chapter 11: The Presidency
- Model Congress Project | Presidential Character Assignment
Unit 8: The Judicial Branch & Civil Liberties
- The Supreme Court and Civil Liberties
- Living Democracy: Chapter 4 and Chapter 5
- Points of View: Chapter 13: The Courts –Judicial Review and Chapter 14: Free Speech
- Profiles of Supreme Court Justices | Moot Supreme Court
Unit 9: Interest Groups, Elections & Political Parties
- Interest Groups, Election, and Parties
- Living Democracy, Chapter 13 and Chapter 14
- Points of View, Chapter 9: Interest Groups and Chapter 5: Voting
- Interest Group Analysis Assignment
Format
Sections |
Items |
Points |
Time |
The Constitution |
Identify the 7 articles of the U.S. Constitution, the five principles which underlie our Constitution (checks and balances,separation of powers, federalism, limited government and popular sovereignty) and the nine Supreme Court Justices |
20 pts. |
5 minutes |
The Legislative Process |
Trace the process by which a bill becomes a law |
10 pts. |
5 minutes |
Multiple Choice |
30 multiple choice |
30 pts. |
15 minutes |
Identification |
Choose 1 of 3 to answer in well constructed paragraph identifying the term and explaining its significance. |
20 pts. |
10 minutes |
Document Analysis |
Interpret a document such as a graph or a table which has political significance |
20 pts. |
10 minutes |
Essay #1: ThematicEssay #2: Evaluative |
Choose 1 of 3: This longer essay will challenge you to assess the institutions and processes of our government.This shorter essay will be based on your connections assignments and your trip to D.C. Make sure you have copies of your seven connections assignments. |
50 pts.
|
40 minutes
|
