American Government Study Guide First Semester Exam Exam Structure ● ● ● Part I – Multiple Choice (30%) Part II – Short Answers (30%) o Choose THREE of five short answer questions and provide responses of paragraph length (3-5 sentences) Part III – 2016 Election Essays o Answer TWO questions about the 2016 Presidential Election and its results in a more extended format. Each response ought to identify THREE central points of argument. ▪ Explain the results of this election. How/why did Donald Trump win and/or Hillary Clinton lose? ▪ Critique the Electoral College system. Should we keep it as is, abolish it in favor of direct popular election, or modify it in some form? Content Concepts ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Four Essential Characteristics of States (pgs. 6-7) John Locke & Social Contract Theory (8-9) Systems of Government: Unitary, Federal, Confederate (15-17) Five Basic Notions of Democracy (27-30) Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (56-57) The Representation Debate: Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, Connecticut Compromise (62-65) The Ratification Debate: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists (68-69) Bicameral Legislature (79) Six Basic Principles of the Constitution (83-88) The Formal Amendment Process (90-91) The Bill of Rights (93-94) Constitutional Powers: Delegated, Expressed, Implied, Reserved, Concurrent (101-105) The Supremacy Clause (106) Federal Grants: Categorical, Block, Project (115) Interstate Relations: Full Faith & Credit and Extradition (117-118) Theories of Representation: Delegate v. Trustee v. Partisan (130) Legislative Oversight (131) Gerrymandering (139) Constitutional Qualifications for the House (142) and Senate (145) The Commerce Clause (148) Implied Powers: Strict vs. Liberal Construction of the “Necessary & Proper Clause” (160-161) The Senate’s Role in Nominations & Treaties (164-165) House Leadership: The Speaker of the House (173) Senate Leadership: The Majority Leader (174) Filibusters & Cloture (189-90) Vetoes and Overrides (192)