POLS 1101: Study Guide for the first exam

Study tips

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I have two suggestions as you prepare for your exam:

ORGANIZATION: Put all the chapters, articles, videos, class discussions & activities, your notes, etc. into categories (use the text chapters for this section of the course as your categories). First, you can remember more when you create a manageable number of categories (for example, you can remember a phone number like 1-706-864-1872, organized into sections, a lot easier than you can remember just 11 digits like 17068641872); and second, you can see how class materials are related (for example, how the articles relate to the chapters).
ACTIVE LEARNING: I HATE 'touchy-feely' terms like that, but I have to admit that it is a valuable thing! Don't just do all this on your own. You can learn MUCH more when you have to EXPLAIN things to someone else. Speaking is ACTIVE. You'll quickly find out what you don't know — and you'll be able to reinforce what you DO know. In addition, you can get feedback, corrections, and suggestions from others. Talk about the material with others in the class, or talk to me (after all, my job IS to talk about this stuff, right?).

	Democracy & Government		Constitution/Federalism		Political Socialization/Media		Interest Groups	Parties/Voting/Elections
NOTE: You are NOT responsible for any items that are CROSSED OUT. You ARE responsible for ALL videos and links in our D2L discussions
Topics	Democracy	Government	Constitution	Federalism	Political Socialization	Media	Interest Groups	Political Parties	Voting/Elections
Sub-topics	Why Government? Why Obedience? What Types?	What is Politics? Myth and Reality (including Tocqueville, American democracy)?	Declaration, Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, Delegates to the Convention, Features of the Constitution	Definition, Powers & Obligations, Eras of Federalism	Political Socialization: Agents & Determinants, Universal values? Ideology, "Marketplace of Ideas", Measuring Public Opinion	Importance in a democracy, Coverage, Influence, Bias	Pluralism, Why do groups exist? Organization & Membership, Myth & Reality (alleviate inequities v. upper-class, corporate bias), Influence in policymaking, Political Action Committees	Definition; Party histories; Realignment; Third (minor) Parties NOTE: You ARE responsible for ALL of chapter 6. You are NOT responsible for lecture items we did not cover in class UNLESS they are also covered in the chapter.	Voting cues; Who votes; What votes mean; Money: Campaign Finance
Text chapter	Chapter 1		Chapter 2	Chapter 3	Chapter 4		Chapter 5	Chapter 6
Articles			Federalist #10; Federalist #51		Increase in Liberal Views Brings Ideological Parity on Social Issues	The Role of Media in American Politics	F ederal lobbying set new record in 2024	Ranked Choice Voting [be sure to click on the "+Read More" link]
Audio/Video NOTE: Not all are listed. All links available in D2L Announcements.	"My Tax Dollars"		"Liberty! (episode VI)"	"Back in Black: New Laws"	"Corporate Consolication" ("Small business is the backbone..."), George Will (ideology, at ~2 min.)	"Fake News" (from D2L) "The Econopmy of Anger" ("...other side should just die.")		Colbert Report: George Will (at 5:45), "Mr. Spritz...(Krusty at Republican Headquarters)", Issue ads: '96-Dole taxes, '04-Bush healthcare, "Panderdemic", "Mr. Spritz... (Krusty campaign)", "Libertarian Convention", "Victims of SuperPACs"
Other	citizen, idiotés	"State of Nature", "Tragedy of the Commons", Thumb wrestling, Why Democracy?	Shays's Rebellion (in video), Compromise, Flexibility	McCullogh v. Maryland (1819), Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), The Great Depression, "Fiscal Federalism"	Debate: Liberal v. Conservative, "Random" sampling, Sample size and "Margin of Error" (know how to apply to poll results), Question wording and order		Lobbying, Iron Triangles, Citizens United, SuperPACs	Regional party strength; Rules' effects on third parties;	Rules' effects on outcomes;