Name: _____________________________
Instructions :
Worth 15% of the course grade
This exam is a take-home, open notes exam. This means that you can use the following material from this class: your class notes, Powerpoint slides, the Midterm 1 Review Sheet, and the textbook. However, you cannot work with other students on the exam; it must be your own work. You also cannot use outside sources from the internet (i.e. don’t use Google). Please read questions carefully and answer every part of the prompt.
Midterm 1 will be uploaded on Canvas under the “Assignments” page under “Midterm 1” on Wednesday, February 23 by 9:00 p.m. I will send an email and Canvas Announcement to students informing them when the exam is available on Canvas. Students will have until Wednesday, March 2 at 5:00 p.m. to complete the exam by uploading their exam back on Canvas under the “Assignments” page under “Midterm 1.”
The exam will be sent as a Microsoft Word document. Please write your answers directly on the exam document (don’t forget to regularly save the document as you work on it so it doesn’t get accidentally deleted). Then, when you are done, save the document as a PDF or Microsoft Word file. You can save a Word document as a PDF by clicking File-Save As, and selecting “PDF” under the File Format tab.
When you are done, to upload the exam onto Canvas, follow these steps:
1. Click on the “Assignments” page on Canvas
2. Click “Midterm 1”
3. Click “Choose a File to Upload”
4. Select the PDF or Word file that you would like to submit as your exam
5. Click Submit
Part I: ID’s ( Answer 2 ID Questions only , 5 points each, 10 points total)
Instructions: Identify AND Explain the significance of 2 of the following 4 terms, concepts, or cases. The “identification” should take the form of a definition and/or explanation of the term, concept, or case. The “significance” can take the form of its significance to American government, an example, or an application to current events.
Word Limit: 100 words max (about 3-4 sentences max) for Each of the 2 ID Questions chosen
1. Marbury v. Madison
Answer Here:
2. Transaction costs
Answer Here:
3. Police powers
Answer Here:
4. Federalist Paper No. 10
Answer Here:
Part II: Short Answer Questions – Checks and Balances (20 points total)
Instructions: Answer 2 out of 3 Short Answer Questions (10 points each, 20 Points Total). Homework help – Write your answer in complete sentences (no bullet points or charts/graphs). You will be graded on your ability to answer the questions asked and on the quality of your answers. Please define any important terms that you use and provide analysis for your answers.
Word Limit: 250 words for each of the two short answer questions; 500 words max total (about 1 page max single spaced)
Answer 2 of the following 3 questions:
1. Describe the checks and balances that the President can exercise against Congress. Describe
the checks and balances that Congress can exercise against the President.
Answer Here:
2. Describe the checks and balances that the President can exercise against the Supreme Court.
Describe the checks and balances that the Supreme Court can exercise against the President.
Answer Here:
3. Describe the checks and balances that Congress can exercise against the Supreme Court.
Describe the checks and balances that the Supreme Court can exercise against Congress.
Answer Here:
