Assignment for Thursday, 11/1

For Thursday, read the following chapters in Shively:

• Chapter 10, "Elections"
• Chapter 11, "Parties"

Feel free to summarize ONE of these chapters.

Assignment for Thursday, 10/25

For next week, read the following two chapters in Shively:

• Chapter 16 on Bureaucracy and the public sector
• Chapter 17 on Law and the Courts

Feel free to summarize ONE of these chapters. I will also return exams on Thursday. If you're particularly anxious for comments and grades, you can contact me beginning Monday and arrange to pick up your exam.

Mid-Term Exam - Thursday, 10/11

Your mid-term exam will be given in-class on October 11. You will have the full class period to write your exam, so you should have plenty of time. The exam will consist of two essay questions. You will be randomly assigned two of the following four questions:

1. Why is authority such an important source of power? How do governments establish authority?
2. What makes being a citizen in a democracy more difficult than in other forms of government? What consequences does this have for democratic government?
3. In what ways are conservatism and socialism reactions to, and criticisms of, liberalism?
4. What are the characteristics of a good constitution? Which of these do you think is most important? Refer to examples from the US Constitution (or any other formal constitution with which you are familiar.)

I look for two things in your answers. First is coherence; make sure you answer the question, and present a coherent, organized answer to it. It helps if you include an introductory paragraph that lays out your thesis and explains what will follow. A concluding paragraph that restates the thesis is also helpful. The second thing I look for is completeness. This does not mean to spit out everything you know about a subject; instead, include everything you can that is relevant to the question asked. Examples are helpful, but not required (unless the question specifically mentions it, like Q4 above). Finally, remember, there is no single right answer to these questions; your solution can be different from mine, as long as you provide evidence and argumentation.

Please note that you are allowed to bring ONE 3x5" index card to the exam. You can write whatever you would like on this card, on either side, using however small a font as you'd like - WITHIN REASON. Do NOT try to use 5-pt font to squeeze in every possible word you can; do NOT simply try to write out your essay, and then copy it into your exam book. You will have to submit your card with your exam, and I will not give credit for answers that are chiefly copied off of your card. I'm trying to give you the tools to succeed in this exam; please do not abuse my generosity.

One final note that is already in the syllabus: if you fail to show up for the exam, and are unable to produce a valid excuse WITH DOCUMENTATION, you will fail the exam.

Good luck! I'll see you Thursday.

Assignment for Thursday, 10/18

Since October 11 is your mid-term exam, your next assignment is for the following Thursday (10/18). Read (and, if you'd like, summarize) the following:

• Shively, Chapter 14, "National Decision-Making Institutions: Parliamentary Government"
• Shively, Chapter 15, "National Decision-Making Institutions: Presidential Government"

Good luck on your exams.