Temple College – Taylor Center
GOVT 2302
NAME:_______________________
Summer 2, 2000
FINAL EXAM
PART I. ESSAY 1. Answer one (1) of the following in a well-organized, well-constructed essay with
a thesis sentence or controlling statement. Write complete sentences and pay attention to spelling,
grammar, and word choice. Do NOT assume that the instructor will “know what you mean.” WRITE
LEGIBLY IN INK!. Use the space below and on the back of this page (if necessary) to write your answer.
20 points.
1.
Discuss the role of Congress in developing policy with respect to three (3) of the following issues:
a. abortion
b. gay rights
c. pornography
d. the death penalty
e. affirmative action
Use the following summary statement by Tatalovich and Daynes as your thesis statement: “Congress
usually takes positions consistent with traditional social values on issues involving moral
controversies.” [Use three of the five issues identified above to provide support for this statement.]
Identify and discuss specific acts of Congress to illustrate your points.
2.
Discuss the role of the federal courts in developing policy with respect to three (3) of the following
issues:
a. abortion
b. gay rights
c. pornography
d. the death penalty
e. affirmative action
Use the following summary statement by Tatalovich and Daynes as your thesis statement: “The
federal courts generally promote legal change in social regulatory policy by asserting individual
rights and liberties against traditional social values.” [Use three of the five issues identified above to
provide support for this statement.] Identify and discuss specific court decisions to illustrate your
points.
PART II. ESSAY 2. Answer one (1) of the following in a well-organized, well-constructed essay
with a thesis sentence or controlling statement. Write complete sentences and pay attention to spelling,
grammar, and word choice. Do NOT assume that the instructor will “know what you mean.” WRITE
LEGIBLY IN INK!. Use the space below and on the back of this page (if necessary) to write your answer.
20 points.
1. Discuss the role of public opinion in the debate over three (3) of the following issues:
a. abortion
b. gay rights
c. pornography
d. the death penalty
e. affirmative action
Use the following summary statement by Tatalovich and Daynes as your thesis statement: “Public
opinion is often conservative, sometimes moderate, and rarely liberal on issues involving moral
controversies, but is almost always less intense than the positions argued by lobby groups who favor
social change.” [Use three of the five issues identified above to provide support for this statement.]
Identify and discuss the results of public opinion polls related to the three issues you select to illustrate
your points.
2. Discuss the role of interest groups in the debate over three (3) of the following issues:
a. abortion
b. gay rights
c. pornography
d. the death penalty
e. affirmative action
Use the following summary statement by Tatalovich and Daynes as your thesis statement: “Single
issue groups promote absolutist positions on social regulatory policy that polarize debate as one of
nonnegotiable, moral alternatives, making compromise policy outcomes difficult to achieve.” [Use
three of the five issues identified above to provide support for this statement.] Identify and discuss
specific groups and the positions they take on the three issues you select to illustrate your points.
PART III. SHORT ANSWER 1. Answer one (1) of the following in a paragraph. Do NOT
answer specific parts as separate items. Integrate your responses into a well-organized, well-constructed
paragraph. Write complete sentences and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and word choice. Do NOT
assume that the instructor will “know what you mean.” WRITE LEGIBLY IN INK!. Use the space below
and on the back of this page (if necessary) to write your answer. 5 points.
1.
Discuss the legislative process. What is a “veto point”? Identify the primary veto points in the
legislative process. How many veto points can (potentially) be associated with a typical bill in
Congress?
2.
List and explain at least three (3) factors that affect how representatives and senators in Congress
decide how they will vote on legislation.
PART IV. SHORT ANSWER 2. Answer one (1) of the following in a paragraph. Do NOT
answer specific parts as separate items. Integrate your responses into a well-organized, well-constructed
paragraph. Write complete sentences and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and word choice. Do NOT
assume that the instructor will “know what you mean.” WRITE LEGIBLY IN INK!. Use the space below
and on the back of this page (if necessary) to write your answer. 5 points.
1.
What is meant by the “media presidency”? What is meant by the “textbook presidency”? How do
these perpetuate a “mythological presidency”? Explain why the true nature of presidential power is
negative, personal, and episodic.
2.
Detail the constitutional basis of presidential power. Are the president’s powers broad and flexible or
narrow and restricted? Explain your answer by contrasting the literalist and stewardship theories.
PART V. SHORT ANSWER 3. Answer one (1) of the following in a paragraph. Do NOT answer
specific parts as separate items. Integrate your responses into a well-organized, well-constructed
paragraph. Write complete sentences and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and word choice. Do NOT
assume that the instructor will “know what you mean.” WRITE LEGIBLY IN INK!. Use the space below
and on the back of this page (if necessary) to write your answer. 15 points.
1.
List and explain at least five “criminal due process” protections found in the Constitution and the Bill
of Rights.
2.
Identify and discuss case law (USSC decisions) relating to the following: searches and seizures, selfincrimination, and right to counsel.
PART VI. SHORT ANSWER 4. Answer one (1) of the following in a paragraph. Do NOT
answer specific parts as separate items. Integrate your responses into a well-organized, well-constructed
paragraph. Write complete sentences and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and word choice. Do NOT
assume that the instructor will “know what you mean.” WRITE LEGIBLY IN INK!. Use the space below
and on the back of this page (if necessary) to write your answer. 15 points.
1.
Explain why the USSC believed that the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause failed to provide a
constitutional basis for Congress’ positive civil rights agenda in the late 19 th century. Discuss the
constitutional provision that the USSC used to uphold congressional legislation in the mid-20th century.
2.
List the major civil rights statutes passed by Congress and discuss the major provisions of these acts.
PART VII. IDENTIFICATION. Define and identify the importance of ten (10) of the following
items in a sentence or two for each. 20 points/2 pts. each. Use the back of the page (if necessary) to
continue your answer(s). Your answer should be written to demonstrate your familiarity with and
understanding of both terms or concepts in each pair. These items can be answered in two or three
sentences. You should go beyond simple definitions of the terms or concepts to say why each is important
and why the two are juxtaposed.

public agenda V official agenda

statute V executive order

trustee V delegate

civil disobedience V legitimacy

formal rule-making V adjudication

judicial review V stare decisis

spoils system V merit system

de jure segregation V de facto segregation

affirmative action V reverse discrimination

14th Amendment V 19th Amendment

Brown v Board of Education V Hopwood v Texas

equality of opportunity V equality of results

Emancipation Proclamation V Jim Crowism