OPTIONAL FINAL EXAM

Answer TWO of the following three questions, and answer them fully..

• 1. The Congress. What are the 7 norms that have historically governed the behavior of Congress members, according to the lecturer? Explain how each operates, and why they are important for the operation of the Congress. Would you change any of these norms, and explain why and defend your answer? Now think about an organization that you have been a member of, or a future career that you would like to pursue. How do norms such as these congressional norms apply (or do they) to this other organization, and explain?.
• 2. Earl Warren Supreme Court. What were the Warren Court’s key decisions in Brown, the Reapportionment cases, and the School Prayer decisions? What was their legal and constitutional holdings in each of those sets of cases, and explain fully? What were the Warren Court’s decisions in Mapp v. Ohio, Gideon v. Wainwright, Escobedo v. Illinois, and Miranda v. Arizona? What was their legal and constitutional holdings in each of these cases, and explain fully? Do you think that the decisions in each of these 7 cases were fair and just, and explain and defend your answer?
• 3. The Media, Public Opinion, and Interest Groups. As discussed by the lecturer, what role has the American media historically played in our political life, and explain with specifics? How has the media environment and its impact changed over the past thirty years, and explain with specifics? What role does public opinion play in American democracy, how is it measured, and explain fully? What are the harmful and beneficial impacts of interest groups on American society, and explain fully? How have MSU students been involved in creating interest groups, and explain their impact with specifics?

Class notes are available on the class website.