All Retake Questions So Far

Retake Questions for Test 1

1. Define and explain (i.e. give specific and realistic examples that relate to specific parts of our government) of each of the following: separation of powers, checks and balances and federalism.
2. What rights are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?  Explain the main points of each of the first ten amendments.

Retake Questions for Test 2

1. Identify and full explain the effect of 5 factors that influence how a person is politically socialized.
2. Originally, the Constitution left most of the decisions over elections and how they should be handled to the states.  Gradually, voting rights and the conduct of elections were taken over to a greater extent by the federal government.  Explain in detail how the composition of the American electorate has expanded by fully explaining, in order, each of the following: the 15th amendment, the 17th amendment, the outlawing of the grandfather clause, the 19th amendment, the outlawing of white primaries, the 23rd amendment, the 24th amendment, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 26th amendment.
3. Differentiate between liberals and conservatives by referring to and explaining their respective beliefs on 5 different issues such as abortion, gay marriage and the economy.

Retake Questions for Test 3

1. Interest Groups and Political Parties are both important in their role of influencing and connecting citizens to government, but are different in many ways.  Explain the major differences between Interest Groups and Political Parties by identifying and explaining their main purpose, as well as the many methods they use to achieve those purposes.
2. Describe the importance of each of the following steps of an election: Primaries, Nominating Conventions (aka Party Conventions), General Election (Election Day), and Electoral College.
3. Discuss the the way in which corporate control of media and the fact that media outlets (newspapers and television) have to make profits to stay in business affects the ways in which political news is presented by the media.
   

I'm Just a Bill Holiday Project

Assignment: 

Write your own bill to be submitted in our Congress.  Must be typed in the following format.  Due the day we return from break.  We will use the bills in a mock Congress that will count for the equivalent of a test grade. (Make sure to email Mr. Knight to find out if you are a Democrat or a Republican.

Format it must follow:

Title: Ex: The Soda-Regulation Act

Introduction/Rationale (4-6 sentences): Explains your reasons for writing this bill and explains the positive effects you feel it will have on our country.

Ex: Sugary sodas consumed by American citizens are one of the chief contributors to many health problems in America.  Sodas are consumed at an alarming rate in America.  One can only imagine the medical bills that would not exist if sodas were regulated in a better way.  My bill will lead to a more physically and economically fit America.  My bill will encourage healthy diets and save the government huge amounts of money that might otherwise be spent on health care.

Section 1 (one sentence): Explains what exactly your bill will do.

Ex: Hereby, all soda consumption in the United States of America, will be subject to a 20% tax.  Specifically, consumers will be 20% tax each time they purchase soda.

Section 2 (one sentence): Gives further information about what your bill will do.

Ex: Soda beverages are defined as any drink with a 20% carbonation count that provides at least 16g of sugar in a serving.

Section 3 (one sentence): Gives further information about what your bill will do.

Ex:  Revenue from the taxing of soda beverages will be directed and given to the US Department of Health for use at their discretion.

Section 4 (one sentence): Adds “pork” to your bill.

Ex: $50,000 in funds to research the effects on literacy levels of watching rodeos will be directed the state of Tennessee.