Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Study Guide Final Exam
The following are some key areas to focus on for each chapter. I hope this helps in your overall review of material reviewed this session.
(Painting from Norman Rockwells "Four Freedoms" series: Freedom from Fear)
1 Citizenship
- What are examples of your civic life vs. your private life?
- Can you name some newer opportunities for citizen participation that states have provided?
- Have Americans become one class, or do major divides still exist between us? What are some of these differences?
- What's the most common reason given by 18-25 year olds for not voting?
- What is meant by the principle of "consent of the governed", and what is a good example of how we regularly demonstrate our consent or dissent?
- What were the basic elements of the "Great Compromise" in 1787?
- What are the 3 basic principles embodied in the Constitution that control how each branch relates to each other, and how the national government relates to the states?
- Why didn't the framers select a unitary model for how the government would function?
- What effect did the 1857 Dred Scott decision (before the Civil War) by the Supreme Court have on federal and state relations?
- Did states or the national government gain power during the bulk of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Administration?
- Do most of the Bill of Rights apply to actions by the states as well as the national government?
- What are the two (2) basic clauses of the First Amendment pertaining to religion?
- What are the three (3) basic elements of the Miller Test, and what happens when an activity or object does not meet all the criteria in the test?
- The North won the Civil War. But, why did Jim Crow laws take hold in the South, and what form did they take?
- Chief Justice Earl Warren and the unanimous court spoke clearly through their words and vote re: the need to eliminate the post Civil War approach of "separate but equal" in the Brown v Board of Education decision (s). What was the essence of these decisions?
- What were the main implications of the Bakke v Regents of California Supreme Court case?
6 Public Opinion
- What are the "agents of political socialization"?
- What are some differences between men and women in political opinions?
- The word "salience" in political opinion refers to what personal aspect of various issues and topics?
7 Political Participation
- "What's the "rational actor" theory?
- To participate in the political process, what three (3) conditions must be met for you to do so?
- What are some of the factors affecting voter "turnout"?
- The practice of influencing public decisions for largely private purposes is referred to as _______?
- People often do not make a "rational" choice re: being involved with an interest group vs. being "free rider". What is meant by this?
- Does the White house lobby Congress, or vice versa, or do both lobby each other?
9 Parties and Political Campaigns
- What is the process of identifying potential political supporters and designing a customized messages and mobilizing them to come out for an election is called:
- Why do we only have two main parties in the United States?
- Splinter, single issue and ideological parties: examples of each
10 Media
- Characteristic of young persons and the "news"
- Limits placed on television and radio is managed by what agency?
- Two (2) lessons learned by the first presidential debate in 1960 that are still significant today
11 Congress
- Inherent advantages incumbents in Congress have in getting reelected
- How often does reapportionment occur? Why?
- What's the difference between the "delegate", "trustee" and "politico" role of a Congressperson? Can they be performing with all 3 pf these hats?
12 The Presidency
- When do parties select their candidates for the Presidential election?
- What is the significance of the "unit"rule in the Electoral College?
- When can the President exercise the "line item veto" in signing legislation presented to him/her for signing?
13 Bureaucracy
- Key differences between public and private bureaucracies
- What's the main role bureaucrats play in the policy making process?
- What's a "proxy administration?
14 The Courts
- Do judges in our system have some discretion in following precedents in the law?
- What is the principle of "standing" in being heard by a court?
- Basic principles for nominating a Supreme Court justice
15 Public Policy
- Basic stages in policy making and different parties involved
- Characteristics of the uninsured
- National debt vs. the federal deficit: which is greater? How much greater?
16 Foreign and Defense Policy
- Realism, liberalism, idealism and neo-conservatism: how do these apply to foreign policy?
- Key "producers" of foreign policy?
- Why have we maintained cordial relations with China recently, even though we have major issues with this country?
- If you were going to take a "premptive" action agaist someone, what type of initiative would you take in relation to the other person?
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Oral Report Schedule
Please keep your individual presentation to 5 minutes apiece! Post here with any changes or corrections asap.
Friday, April 26
- Ekrema and Kourtney-Why Vote?
- Ryan Black and Kennedy-Why Marriage is a Thing of the Past
- Erica and Miranda-How Well Do We Treat the Elderly?
- Kristen, Lauren and Ryan W.-Teen Suicide
Monday, April 29
- Devonn, Ali and Maya-Does Slavery Still Have an Effect on the Black Community?
- Nicole, Valerie and Dartaysha-Youth Gangs as a Form of Urban Socialization
- Stephanie and Carson-Why Vote?
- Katelyn and Megan-Women in Politics
Wednesday, May 1
- Lacey and Andrew-Electing an Immigrant As President
- Sara and Brenda-Is Marriage a Thing of the Past?
- Cody and Chad-Treatment of the Elederly
- Catherine and Charles-Have Urban Youth Been Stripped of the American Dream?
May 3
- Mike and Brian-Gun Control
- Ian and Franklin-Capital Punishment in Modern Society
- Zachary and A'zsha-Gun Control and the Second Amendment
FYI: Tips for Oral Reports
Oral Report Tips and Suggestions (half your oral report grade is on quality of presentation; the rest is on quality of content)
Pitfalls
Speaker
* No eye contact
* Seems like a robot
* Hides behind the lectern
* Speaks too loud/soft
* Sways/fidgets/paces
* Rambles or loses his/her place
* Never gets to the point
* Fumbles with notes, visuals or PowerPoint
* Too much material
Visuals
* Nonexistent
* Hard to see
* Hard to undertand
* Out of sequence
* Shown too rapidly
* Shown too slowly
* Typos and errors
* Too wordy, no pics
Setting
* Too noisy
* Too hot or cold
* Too large or small
* Too bright for visuals
* Too dark for your notes
* Missing equipment
* Broken equipment
* Ridiculously complicated equipment
Planning Your Presentation
* Two-three sentence “purpose of your presentation”
* Analyze your listeners
* Analyze your speaking situation
* Select appropriate delivery method
* Memorize-only if necessary
* Impromptu-off-the cuff
* Scripted-if very technical
* Extemporaneous with notes-best
Preparing Your Presentation
* Research your topic
* Simplicity & conciseness
* Anticipate Questions
* Outline your presentation
* Plan your visuals
* When will you show certain visuals?
* Which ones work best
* How many visuals are best?
* Are your visuals achievable? What hardware is available?
* What medium is best for your presentation (overheads, PowerPoint, handouts, foam boards, etc.)
* Prepare your visuals
* Be selective
* Easy to read & understand
* 1 point per visual
* Readable to audience
* Limit material on a visual
* Fewest words possible
* 18-24 point sans serif type best
* Each visual a title
* Use color sparingly
* Label diagrams
* Proofread!!!
* Check Room beforehand
* Rehearse Delivery
Delivering Your Product
* Work the “audience” They’re your friend!
* Know your audience!
* Display enthusiasm and confidence
* Be reasonable and considerate of others
* Don’t preach. You’re not a preacher. Avoid jokes and wisecracks….not cool.
* Keep your listeners oriented. Let them know where you’re going.
* Introduce your topic clearly
* Establish common ground
* Provide good transitions between points
* Give examples!
* Review and interpret what you’ve said
* Leave people with something to remember
* Thank your listeners!
* Ask for question
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Study Guide Chapters 13-16
Here's some key elements for the Chapters 13-16 to make sure you know. These are not actual test questions, but will give you an idea how well you know the material. Use this study guide in addition to your notes from the text and lectures and the web resource for your text (chapter notes).
Chapter 13 Bureaucracy-Citizens As Owners and Consumers
- Who ultimately controls the bureaucracy?
- Who owns it? Are we just "customers"?
- When and why did the biggest expansion in the bureaucracy occur?
- Patronage and spoils: what do these terms mean? Which President used these systems of filling jobs?
- Is patronage dead?
- Pendleton Act of 1883
- What is the "merit system"?
- Republican vs. Democratic orientation towards the bureaucracy
- What's "RIP"?
- 4 differences between public and private bureaucracies
- Political vs career bureaucrats
- What's the "proxy" administration?
- Who was Frances Perkins?
- What do bureaucrats do? Rule making and adjudicating disputes
- What is the "Federal Register"?
- Know the 6 major structures within the Federal bureaucracy
- How can Congress limit the bureaucracy?
- What is as good example of Congressional "oversight"?
- Can Congress eliminate a rule approved by an agency? How?
- What role can the President play?
- What is "SES"
- What role does the OMB play (Office of Budget and Management)
- Role of Courts
- Are whistle blowers protected?
Chapter 14 The Courts-Judicial Power in a Democratic Setting
- States and Federal "dual" court system
- What do Federal district Courts deal with?
- How many Courts of Appeals are there nationwide?
- What are "en banc" hearings?
- What is meant by "precedent"?
- Significance of Marbury v. Madison case re: judicial review
- Two types of law and differences. Can you cite examples of each?
- Types of jurisdiction and judiciability
- What is meant by "standing" Can you give an example of not having standing to submit a case?
- Why was Roosevelt upset with the Supreme Court?
- What is now the emphasis on cases heard in the Supreme Court?
- Rule of 4 and "writ of certiorari"
- How many writs are received vs. heard each year?
- How could you be an "amicus curiae"?
- Types of opinions issued?
- 3 types of populations affected by decisions
- What are some external factors that can affect a decision being implemented?
- Judicial activism vs. Judaical restraint
- Qualities of nominees: professional, doctrinal and representational
- Choosing lower court appointees: some issues that have come up re: politicization of the process
- Senatorial courtesy definition
- What are some measures that have enhanced access to the Courts?
- Judges aren't elected. Isn't that undemocratic?
Chapter 15 Public Policy-Responding to Citizens
- Public policies are responses to what?
- Who is ultimately affecteed by social and economic struggles in certain sectors
- What is "public policy"?
- What are 2 basic limits are placed on public policies?
- Various steps in policymaking. Who plays a role in each step (they're different in each step)
- Types of outcomes based on cost and benefits (chart in book...check it out)
- Which policy outcomes are easiest/more difficult to maintain?
- When did the big push on environmental regulation begin?
- What's a "cap and trade" program?
- What was the emhasis in the Rio and Kyota Environmental Protocols?
- Have states gone their own way with environmental regulation?
- How many people are poor, and what % of total population?
- What are TANF restrictions?
- What segment of the population is most vulnerable to the recession?
- What % of the population is uninsured?
- Fiscal policy: Keynsian and supply side: differences?
- What is our national deficit? How much is it projected to be this year? ($1.8 trillion!)
- What % of the budget goes to pay off the debt (9%)
- Monetary policy: who's in charge?
- Reserve requirement, discount rate, open market operations???
- What's easier to fight? Recession or inflation?
- Two opposites: free trade or protectionism: pros and cons
- What is NAFTA. What does the WTO do?
Chapter 16 Foreign and Defense Policy-Protecting American Interests in the World
- Was our country initially desiring to be deeply involved in foreign affiars? Why not?
- What was significance of Roosevelt Corollary (to the Monroe Doctrine)?
- What effect did WWs I & II have on our international perspective?
- Starting with Truman, "containment" was a policy to contain whom or what?
- Did the "MAD" principle work? Is detente a good thing?
- Who became our internation "enemy" after the Cold War?
- What does "preemption refer to?
- What did the "Bush Doctrine" have as it's 3 elements?
- What's the most important element of national interests?
- What 3 components of this element are vital in making national security decisions?
- Liberalism, rerlaism, idealism, and neoconservatism in foreign policy: characteristics?
- Who is, no doubt, the foreign policy chief? (Hint: his initials are BHO)
- The NSC and State Department
- Are the views of the Secretary of State (eg., Hillary Clinton) always reflected in policy?
- Department of Defense and the Intelligence "Community"
- Who gathers intelligence beside the CIA
- Can your phone be wiretapped? When?
- How is Congress involved in foreign policy? Various tools at their disposal are....
- What % of national budget is spent on defense?
- Are you a "cognitive miser"? How does this manifest itself?
- Significance of various tools of foreign policy
- Military power: do other countries spend more based onGross Domestic Product (GDP)?
- Diplomacy: various forms it takes
- Foreign aid: How big a part of budget? Is it worth it?
- International Organizations (UN, NATO, World Bank) Was the US able to get the support of the UN to invade Iraq? Why not?
- Threats
- Terrorism: how do you deal with it: a criminal act? Or, remove their areas of operation? Or, ground fights?
- Nuclear Danger? Who belongs to the nuclear "club"? What is a "missle defense system"? Does it work?
- Regional conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, and elsewhere. What's the 2-state solution proposed by former President Bush? Carnage in Darfur, Rwanda (Hutus and Tutsis). What are rusks of ignoring these areas with constant conflicts? What is "genocide"? Define it.
- China: Friend or foe? Why is their economy so strong?
- Book notes China is second largest debt holder behind Japan...that is now reversed; two flashpoints are what?
- Alternatives to force: soft power! Would you like to be a volunteer to assist those in need overseas? You'll be spreading the good word
Monday, April 15, 2013
Assignment #6 Nellie Hefflinger
Read the following story about Nellie Hefflinger first. Then post your impressions of the homeless. Who are they and how did they become homeless? Indicate any experiences with the homeless. Did the article about Nellie from Cambridge alter your views?
It's an annual rite of summer: Hundreds of homeless people leave city shelters to sleep on the streets, and everywhere, under bridges, in wooded areas, throughout the parks, are the mangy blankets, the empty beer bottles, and the trash they leave behind. Natalie Hefflefinger, for one, can't stand the mess. The petite 65-year-old spends her days singing in Harvard Square and her nights sleeping in a nearby park. Almost every evening, she takes the day's earnings to CVS, buys a box of trash bags - the good kind that don't break - and fills them to keep the parks clean. Sometimes, when she has enough change, she ambles along Mount Auburn and other area streets, dropping quarters in meters running low. "It's a way to give something back," she said. "People think of the homeless as always taking from society. This is how I can thank society for letting me sleep in the parks." One of scores of people who make the square their home, Hefflefinger doesn't want her adopted neighborhood to go to rot. Though the city has posted signs warning the homeless against sleeping in parks after dark, officials let many stay - especially those who help maintain them. "If people store debris, sleeping bags, or build houses, we don't let that happen," said Lisa Peterson, commissioner of the city's Department of Public Works, which maintains more than 100 public spaces throughout Cambridge. "But some people can really surprise you." The daughter of a gardener who grew up in a middle-class family in Malden, Hefflefinger has lived on the streets for years. She won't say how long, but her decaying teeth, scarred hands, and old, tattered boots attest to years of life without a home. "Self-reliance isn't easy, but people have been very nice," she said, remembering the man who gave her $300 for cleaning up. An artist who likes to draw landscapes - "I'm just an amateur," she said - and a singer with an interest in patriotic tunes - "I like to sing `America the Beautiful' " - the soft-spoken woman is one of the square's few homeless allowed to linger in local cafes. She always pays for her coffee, and, after parking herself in a chair for a few hours, she pulls a bottle of Windex from her cart to wash off the table. She also tips. "She's one of the most consistent tippers we have, always leaving behind a dollar," said Daniella Pinto, manager of the Dunkin' Donuts by the John F. Kennedy School of Government. "It's a pleasure to have her here." Often, the cafes are the only shelter she has. On a recent morning, after waking in Longfellow Park to a downpour, she used some extra garbage bags to craft a raincoat, tied a plastic 7-Eleven bag to her head for a hood, and covered her overstuffed shopping cart with a blue tarp. After walking around for a while, a mop, rake, and buckets hanging off her cart, she stopped in one of her regular haunts for coffee and a jelly doughnut. "Harvard Square is a good place for me. I like books and art," she said. Pressed, she widens her blue eyes and admits she wouldn't mind a place to live. "I'm not doing so great, but I'm not falling apart," she said in a gentle voice. "The mosquitoes are wicked now." Married twice with five grown children, she had a messy breakup and doesn't keep in touch with her family, whom she last saw years ago when they lived in Nashua. "I'd ather not get into it," she said. "I'm not looking for any charity." A former secretary and onetime waitress, Hefflefinger wants to earn her keep. And though she accepts donations - many of her clothes are presents from strangers - she always tries to give something back. What would she want the most if she could have it? A replacement for the prescription glasses she lost, she said. For now, though, the nights are warm, and that, in itself, is good. She refuses to return to a shelter, she said, preferring the freedom of the outdoors. On another recent day, with her mop of brown hair twisting in the evening breeze, she had little time to talk. She worked - ensuring that not a scrap of trash or any of last autumn's crinkled leaves remained in Longfellow Park. After a few hours of tidying up, with dirt caked in her fingernails and sweat filling her craggy cheeks, she stood proudly over 11 white trash bags, the park looking its summer's best. Two at a time, she carried the bags to a nearby sidewalk, stacking them for the garbage truck to take the next morning. "This is just something I can do," she said. "It's my way, I guess, of saying thanks."
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/nyregion/pushing-past-limitations-and-aiming-to-inspire.html?smid=pl-
share By David Abel Globe Staff 7/14/2003 CAMBRIDGE --
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