PLSC 200- Written Question Study Guide- Exam #3

Four (4) of the following questions will be the short answer responses on Exam #1. It is an open not exam and you may prepare notes on all of the questions. Answers will need to be a minimum of 150 words per short answer response.

Congress

What is Gerrymandering and how is it been used to create “safe seats” for Republican or Democrats? Discuss the limitations place on redistricting by the Supreme Court in Baker v. Carr and Shaw v. Reno.
Define each of the following House Leaders, (1) How they are selected and (2) the tasks they perform: Speaker of the House, Majority and Minority Leader, Party Whip, and Committee Chair, Sub-Committee Chair.
How is the Chairman of a committee selected? How is a member assigned to a committee? What influences a member’s desire to be placed on a certain committee assignment?
Define and differentiate the roles a member of Congress may play: Delegate, Trustee, Politico.

Executive

Describe the evolutionary increase in power of the president. What events have helped to shape the powers of the Modern Presidency? Comment on Hamilton's intent in Federalist #70- "Energy in the Executive."
Define and outline the support given to the president through the Executive Office of the President. What agencies and leaders are found in this “office.”
Evaluate the following: “The President’s list of powers is not very impressive except possibly his role as Commander in Chief. Rather the greatest source of presidential power is to be found in politics and public opinion.” The power of persuasion. (Nuestadt). Comment on Hamilton's intent in Federalist #70- "Energy in the Executive."

Executive Bureaucracy-

Define and cite an example of the four types of administrative agencies, Cabinet, Independent Executive Agency, Independent Regulatory Agency, Government Corporation.
Name a current Independent Executive Agencies and define its role in implementing policy?
Why were Independent Regulatory Agencies created? How does the theory of a “body of experts” influence their structure, power and significance? Name a current Independent Regulatory Agencies and discuss its power and actions
Oversight- How does the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches exercise oversight over the agencies?

Interest Groups-Public Policy

Understand how Interest Groups influence the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches. Cite examples of influence is used to persuade members of each Branch.- Example-You are the National Rifle Association (NRA) or the American Association of Retired People (AARP). How would you influence the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches to create policy favoring YOUR organization?