American National Government
 
WELCOME
  Syllabus
Lectures
Topics
Notes
  Announcements
  Assignments
  Instructor
  Reference Shelf
  Sample Test Qs
Communication
Exam Schedule
 

Study Guide Test 2 Wednesday Oct. 24th
Chapters: 6,7,8,9.

Chapter 6 Public Opinion
1. Definition of Public Opinion
2. How Opinion is formed:  role of family, social class, schools,
 religion, sex and ethnic factors
3.  How polls are conducted
4. Roll of polls in a democracy

Chapter 7  Interest Groups
1. Definition of Interest Groups
2. Types of Interest Groups
3. Resources
4. Methods—elite and non-elite
5. Elite interest groups definition
6. Arguments for and against interest groups
7. Regulation of lobbying
8. Why we don’t have stronger laws

Chapter 8 Mass Media
1. Types of mass media
2. Political functions
3. Biases
4. Criticisms

Chapter 9 Political Parties

1. Definition of political parties
2. Three components--party organization, Party-in-the-electorate, Party in-the-government
Functions—primary and secondary
Reasons parties have weakened

 

 

 

 

Topics for Test 1

Context or Environment of American Politics:  1. Theoretical Contest(political system, setting and culture)
2. Environmental Context (Constitution ) 
3. Federalism
Reading Assignments: Cummings and Wise
Chapters 1,2,3
 The specific topics we covered in the lectures were the following: 
  1. The political system
  2. How government impacts citizens
  3. How citizens can impact the government
  4. Political System:  Demands, supports, etc.
  5. Changes taking place in society and how they are dealt with by the government
  6. What are the functions of the Constitution
  7. Important forces that help shape the Constitution
  8. Principles found in the Constitution
  9. Characteristics of the Constitution that enable it to last for centuries
  10. How the Constitution changes
  11. Chapter 3 Federalism
    1)Federalism:  theory and practice
    2)Role of the national government in federal system
    3)Role of state and local government in federal system
    4)Advantages and disadvantages of federalism
    5)Evolution of federalism
    6)Need for reform of the federal system
 
 
  Questions: Joe Gaziano 
Lewis University, Romeoville, Il., 60446
         
------------------------