PLSI 200: Introduc0on to American Poli0cs and Government
Prof. Jason A. McDaniel
FINAL EXAMINATION
Exam Due: Friday, December 16 by 2:00 pm (Late exams will be penalized)
• Exam format: double-spaced, 11 or 12 pt font, page numbered.
(Please include your name and the name of your TA on your exam.)
• Submit a document file to turni8n.com (one file containing both essays, .docx or .pdf)
• Submit a hardcopy to HUM 304 (Poli8cal Science Dept Office: M – F, 9:00am – 5:00pm)
Your exam consists of wri0ng two separate essays: the first from your choice of the ques0ons in Part 1,
and the second from your choice of the ques0ons in Part 2. (Suggested length for each essay: 3-5 pages.
Please clearly indicate the ques0on number for each of your essays.)
PART 1 (Choose one of the following quesCons)
1. Assuming you were a counselor to a new president, what would you tell them about the nature of
presiden0al power and authority, and what advice would you give them in order to be an effec0ve
U.S. President?
2. What factors influence the decisions that Supreme Court Jus0ces make? Based on your depic0on of
the judicial decision-making process, do you think the Supreme Court can be an effec0ve ins0tu0on
of democracy and an agent of social change in a Madisonian Democra0c system?
3. The poli0cal news media is an important part of the American democra0c process. Is it an effec0ve
and independent watchdog, or a tamed lapdog? Write an essay that answers the ques0on, in which
you describe the compe0ng models of the poli0cal news media. Which do you think is the most
persuasive model of the poli0cal news media in the U.S.? Explain your answer.
PART 2 (Choose one of the following quesCons)
4. What is public opinion? What factors influence the forma0on of public opinion? Based on your
understanding of public opinion, would you agree or disagree that it is a meaningful part of a healthy
democracy? Is the American democra0c system generally responsive to public opinion?
5. Vo0ng and elec0ons are important aspects of American democracy, but not everyone chooses to
par0cipate by vo0ng. Why are some people more likely to vote than others? Once someone decides
to vote, which factors are the most importance influences on their choice of candidate in an
elec0on? Based on your understanding of vo0ng, campaigns, and elec0ons, do you think elec0ons
are effec0ve parts of democra0c representa0on in America?
6. Considering the issue of income inequality, do you think that the ins0tu0ons and processes of
American democracy are capable of producing fair and pluralis0c results, or is the system biased
towards the interests of economic elites?
Essay-wri8ng 8ps:
• Create a detailed outline of your essay before wri0ng, including thesis arguments for the en0re essay
and main points for each sec0on.
• Be sure that your essay contains a clear introduc0on and conclusion.
Review AND revise your essay before submiVng it:
• Is your thesis statement clearly wriaen and supported by the body of the essay? Do you fully define
and explain the important concepts in the essay? Does your wri0ng clearly communicate your
intended points?
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