Political Science 1200 - External Studies

Introduction to American Politics

Second Exam Study Guide

 

Students should be able to construct well written, thoughtful answers of approximately 75 words addressing the following questions or statements linked to the various chapters.  The first exam covers Chapters 1 through 5.  The second exam covers chapters 6 through 10.  And the final exam covers chapters 11 through part of 15.  Twenty of the statements or questions will appear on each exam.  You will have to address 15 of them. 

 

Chapter 6 - Public Opinion

1..How is public opinion linked to socialization?

2.  Discuss three agents of socialization.

3.  What is a sample and why is the method of choosing it so important?

4.  Should leaders follow public opinion?

 

Chapter Seven - Interest Groups

1.  What is pluralism?  Compare it with elitism?

2.  What is an interest group?  Who joins them?

3.  Discuss three ways that lobbyists have influence.  Is lobbying democratic?

4.  Compare and contrast single issue groups and public interest groups.

 

Chapter Eight - The Media and Politics

1.  Why is a free media important to democracy?

2.  Why are newspapers struggling to survive?

3.  What are the implications of entertainment values replacing information values?

4.  Why is investigative reporting important?  Has it gone too far?

5.  What's a "news leak"?  Why do they happen?

 

Chapter Nine - Political Parties

1.  What is a political party?  What role(s) do they play in a democracy?

2.  Explain why America has a predominantly two party system.

3.  Are party loyalties growing?

4.  What is happening to the parties in the American south?  What are the implications of that?

5.  What is a primary and how do they affect national nominating conventions?

 

Chapter Ten - Political Campaigns and Candidates

1.  Why and how do candidates aim for the undecided voters? 

2.  What is the role and importance of "bread and butter issues", and "foreign policy issues"?

3.  Are presidential candidate debates important?  Why or why not?

4.  Explain the court's decision in Buckley vs. Valeo and its implications for addressing concerns about money and politics.

5.  Are U.S. elections democratic?