You will need a blue book. Blue books are available wherever textbooks are sold for a minimal price. Please only use the small 8 1/2" x 7" bluebooks.

Exams, including the final, are non-cumulative.  They will cover all material after the preceding exam until the next exam.

The exam will consist 7 short essay questions out of 10-11 choices. There may be 1-2 questions which you are required to answer. Each short essay will be worth 12 points.

There will also be approximately 4 current events questions worth a total of 16 points. There will be limited choice on the current events questions.

The primary source of questions will be from the class lectures. Every item that was a bullet-point during lecture is fair game. It is also important to study the readings, as the best answers, i.e., 12 points, will incorporate information from both the lectures and the assigned readings. You are not responsible for material in the text that was not at all discussed in class lectures.

Short essay answers will be graded for both accuracy and thoroughness. Answers earning a 12 will clearly and correctly answer/explain the question in appropriate detail.

Current events will come from major news items from the semester so far. They will be about issues and figures who have appeared on the front page of the New York Times or Washington Post multiple times during the semester.

You are also responsible for material in the reserve readings. Knowledge of this material may be tested in either a short essay or current events question.

The most effective way to study. And this. And this. And why you should make a plan on how to study. More tips on studying and learning (and a great podcast).

Here are the instructions for the short essays as the appear on the midterm:
Answer 7 of the following questions. Do not spend more than about 5 minutes on any question. 12 points each. Responses will be graded upon how accurately and thoroughly you use course material (both lectures and readings) to answer these questions.

Examples:

What were some of the major problems with the U.S. Government under the Articles of Confederation and how what was the root cause of these problems?

The national government was going bankrupt as it lacked sufficient authority to raise money from states. There were trade wars between states that could not cooperate with each other economically. Each state was allowed to print its own money, in many cases leading to severe inflation problems. In some states, there was open rebellion against the government, e.g., Shay's Rebellion. Basically, the national government as defined under the articles was simply too weak to get things done and hold the new nation together successfully. 2/3 of state delegations had to agree on legislation and there was no executive branch of government, so it was very difficult both to make and enforce policy.

What role does capitalism play in our political culture?

America's economic system is intimately tied to its political culture. Our beliefs in equality of opportunity, liberty, and individual responsibility are all reflected in a free market system where persons are free to succeed or fail on their own, within a set of equal ground rules. Our emphasis on individual responsibility and capitalism means that Americans place much more emphasis on opportunity and less on outcome, compared to citizens of other modern democracies. Generally speaking, we do not think it is the government's responsibility to help out poor people.

Current Events (Fall 2021 examples):

The United States recently removed remaining troops from what country?

Afghanistan

What is roughly the monetary size of the infrastructure bill currently being debated in Congress?

3.5 Trillion