Studying For The First Exam
College at Oneonta
Fall 2007
W.R. Wilkerson
Political Science 121
U.S. Government
On Tuesday, October 2 you will be having your first exam in US Government. Below are a series of questions and
terms that you will want to know. In addition, the publisher of the textbook has a set of practice quizzes and
flashcards that can help you study. They can be accessed through a link on the class web site
(http://employees.oneonta.edu/wilkerwr). I will answer questions on Thursday, September 27 at 3:30pm in Fitzelle 300.
Group study is also a good idea, but I suggest that you study alone first. My experience as a teacher and as a student is that this
works best.
Format:
The questions will come from ideas and concepts found in the text, outside readings, and lecture, with an emphasis on
ideas covered in both reading and in class. The exam will be made up of 30 multiple choice, true-false, and one essay
questions. The breakdown of questions will be:
multiple choice & true-false
essay
30 questions (2.5 points each)
1 question (25 points)
The multiple choice questions typically include 4 or 5 possible responses and will sometimes include responses such as
“all of the above”, “A & B”, and “none of the above”.
The essay questions will require you to explain a concept or connected concepts in one page or less. You will have a
choice of 2 questions on the exam and they will be selected from the questions listed below.
1) Take the two examples of democracy in action: 1) voting in an election to select a representative and 2)
recalling a governor. Which is an example of direct democracy and which is an example of participatory
democracy. Explain why each fits its category. What are the strengths of each type of democracy?
2) In Federalist #10, James Madison describes the problem of republican government in #10 and #51 he suggests
the solution. Explain the problem and the solution that he proposes.
3) You are a leading anti-Federalist and during the ratification fight Alexander Hamilton comes to you and asks
about changes that could be made to the structure of the proposed national government that would make
the document more palatable to you and those that agree with you. Suggest five and briefly explain why AntiFederalists would see them as a good idea.
4) What were the Federalists views of democracy? Provide and briefly explain four examples in the Constitution
that are indicative of this view.
5) Write an essay in which you discuss and analyze the important differences between the era of dual federalism
and cooperative federalism. What major changes have emerged in American federalism in the last 40 years.
Key Terms and Concepts:
Here is a list of key terms and concepts that the remaining questions will be selected from. Concepts will also be
taken from the questions listed above.
Government
Politics
democracy
normative vs. empiricial thinking
Aristotle’s classification of
governments
self-interest
public interest
republic
franchise: what is it and how did
it expand over time
American political culture
political equality
legal equality
equality of opportunity
equality of results
Two foundings
American Revolution: political
revolution
Shays’ Rebellion
Declaration of Independence
James Madison
human nature: alternative views
multiplicity, mutability, injustice
purpose of government
life, liberty, property
individual rights
republic
bicameral
Stamp Act
Coercive or Intolerable Acts
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation:
structure, weaknesses
Constitutional Convention
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Great Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
Alexander Hamilton
Federalist Papers
Anti-Federalists
Bill of Rights: what is it, why was
it added
factions
separation of powers
checks and balances
president
legislative supremacy
House and Senate: structure,
selection, differences in power
electoral college
independent judicial branch
federalism
bills of attainder
ex post facto laws
federalism
enumerated powers
commerce clause
implied powers
necessary and proper clause
elastic clause
inherent power
supremacy clause
police powers
promotional powers
dual federalism
Interstate Commerce Act of
1888
Food and Drug Act of 1906
Federal Trade Commission
Great Depression—Franklin
Delano Roosevelt—New Deal
cooperative federalism
grants-in-aid
Great Society
War on Poverty
categorical grants
conditions of aid
coercive federalism
new federalism
block grants
general revenue sharing
preemption
crosscutting requirements
crossover sanctions
mandates—unfunded mandates
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