Review+for+GOVT+2302+Final+Exam

Review for spring 2012 GOVT 2302 Final Exam

As mentioned in several places, the final exam is comprehensive and will be composed of 100 multiple choice questions. Lecture students must come to class with a scantron and a #2 pencil.

We will lecture in class over how these topics fit together, but focus your studying on the following:

the purposes of each of the three governing institutions

the basic design of each governing institution and the differences between the US and Texas versions

the security clause in the Magna Carta

the tension between the British Parliament and the British Crown

the grievances in the Declaration of Independence

the size of the legislature in the U.S. and Texas

the differences between the House and the Senate

elections to the House and Elections to the Senate, changes over time

be able to answer a question about each of the sections in article 1 of the U.S. Constitution

the Speaker: U.S> vs Texas

checks that each branch has on the other two

sessions and special sessions

committees in Congress, types – especially the standing committees

the powers of political parties in each chamber

goals of members of Congress

Floor Leaders, Whips, Majority / Minority Leaders

the party caucuses, caucuses in general

the chief executive officer vs. the bureaucracy

the singular executive vs. the plural executive

the powers of the president

conflict regarding commander in chief powers

executive privilege

the electoral college

the unitary executive

presidential judicial and legislative powers

executive orders

the growth of the US executive branch

agency capture

presidential advising: Cabinet, EOP, the White House Staff

the best and worst presidents – factors explaining the ratings

going public

presidential popularity

group think

the role of the courts

the growth and importance of an independent judiciary

trials and appeals

the design of the court system

the establishment of judicial review

Alexander Hamilton’s argument for judicial review

the design of the Supreme Court

common law, statutory law, constitutional law

the Star Chamber

precedence and stare decisis

the appointed judiciary

service during good behavior

the elected Texas judiciary

protections of the judiciary from the other two branches

democracy and the court

the appointment and confirmation process

the court’s agenda

equity

the court of appeals

standing, jurisdiction

disputes over how to interpret the constitution

judicial restraint vs. activism

writs of mandamus

the current composition of the court