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Chapter 15 (Select one question below, and answer in detail.)  How are the courts different from the legislative and executive branches of government? Explain how federal judges are appointed and confirmed. What is the term of office for federal judges? How is this different from the terms of office for the president and members of Congress?  Given the differences between the federal courts and other branches, discuss the debate over the appropriate role of federal judges in our political system.  What is judicial activism?  What is judicial restraint?  Describe the strengths and weaknesses of each judicial approach.  Which do you favor, and why?   Explain in detail how the Supreme Court selects, reviews, decides, and issues their rulings on federal cases. On average, how many cases are appealed to the Supreme Court each year? How many of these cases does the Court typically agree to hear? What vote is required on the Court to hear a case?  Once the Court has agreed to hear a case, how do the Justices review and consider it?  What are bench memos? What are amicus curiae briefs, and how are these used to influence the decisions of the justices?  What typically happens during oral arguments? How do the justices meet and vote on the cases they have heard?  Finally, explain how the Court uses written opinions to issue their decisions, and describe the difference between a majority, concurring, and dissenting opinion.

Chapters 13 and 14 (Select one question below, and answer in detail.) List and explain in detail each of the key roles that the president fulfills in the domestic and foreign policy spheres. Cite at least one example for each role. Briefly explain the roles of the Vice President, the cabinet, and the Executive Office of the President in helping the president fulfill his or her responsibilities.   Who are bureaucrats? Explain the role of bureaucrats in each of the six stages of the public policy cycle — 1) agenda setting,  2) policy formation,  3) policy approval,  4) appropriation approval,  5) policy implementation,  and 6) policy evaluation.

Chapter 4 (Select one question below, and answer in detail.) Discuss our First Amendment freedoms of speech, press, and assembly, as presented in Chapter 4 of your textbook. What is the marketplace of ideas, and how does it help our democracy flourish? Trace the tension between our First Amendment freedoms of expression and the government’s goal of ensuring order. Has the Court ruled that all speech is equally protected under the First Amendment?  Which classifications of speech are not constitutional protected, and why.  Finally, discuss why a free press is essential to democratic ideals.    Discuss the criminal due process protections afforded by the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Cite the key legal protections afforded by each amendment, and cite any important rules or doctrines established by the Court relating to these protections.  Overall, do you believe these amendments afford the criminally accused too much, or too little legal protection? 

Any online communication that I have with my instructor should be primarily on Canvas or via official school email.

Chapter 10 (Select one question below, and answer in detail.) Briefly describe the various forms of the modern media. Next, list and describe the functions of the media in the American political system, citing at least one example of each function.  What does your textbook reveal about the ideological and cooperate bias of the American media?   Trace the history of the media and politics, from the early role of the press to cell phones, blogs and the convergence and consolidation of the modern media. Explain the transformative impact that radio, television, the internet, and social media have had on politics in America.

Are speeches allowed to be made-up in this course?

The student can submit assignments after the posted deadlines. 

The final exam is due on December 1, 2021.   

This class is offered completely online, meaning you are not required to come to class. 

What could be done to keep an Rh-negative mother from developing the antibodies that may harm future children?