fall+2008+online+final

Fall 2008 Govt 2301 and 2302
 * Final Exam

Putting It All Together: Predictions for 2009**

The purpose of a govenment class is, at its simplest, to enable you to effectively keep track of current events. Instead of the newspaper being full of random information about government and politics, you should have some context that helps you make sense of what's going on. Think about watching a sport that you do not understand, one that you do not the rules for -- say cricket (for me anyway). The actions do not make any sense since the rules and strategies, players and teams are unknown. If you do know the rules and all the rest, then the sport makes sense and you can become actively engaged in it. You may evenm be able to predict certain plays and outcomes based on your knowledge of the rules and strategies. You may know when a batter will lay down a bunt, or quarterback throw deep because you understand what plays makes sense at a particular time.

Government and politics are no different.

Hopefully over the course of the semester you've come to know some of the rules associated with government and politics, and perhaps things are starting to make some sense. Maybe you can understand stories in the newspaper better because you've come to know some of the institutions, processes, and people involved in the stories. That, at least, has been the goal of this class.

So in this final assignment I want you to try to put everything you've learned this semester together and apply it to upcoming year/

//Assignment: Using what you have learned this semester (be it 2301, 2302 or both) I want you to make predictions about what types of things we should expect to occur in the upcoming year on the national and state levels. What I want to see is some ability to articulate the// //concepts you have been exposed to this semester in an intelligent way.

If you have taken 2301, you may wish to discuss the consequences of the recent elections. What types of legislation is likely to be passed? You might also want to think about the current state of the two parties. How is each likely to adapt followign the past election, in anticipation of the next one? What is the mood of the country and how will that affect activity in the coming year? Constitutional issues, civil liberties, and civil rights, all are fair game.

For 2302 students, you should think about the state of the governing institutions. It might be especially interesting to think about how the new team Obama is putting together will work out. How will they work with Congress? What impact might they have on the judiciary?//

There is no right answer. There is only a good or bad use of the concepts you've read about in class.

Feel free to use current news sources for information, but I expect you, as always, to do your own work.


 * Please write at least 1000 words. If you are taking both 2301 and 2302, double that.

These are due Friday December 12th.**