Prof. J. S. Trachtenberg                                                                          Clayton State University
POLS 3380 – Interest Groups & Political Parties                                         Fall Semester 2005
Examination Two Study Questions  

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Examination Date: Saturday, October 29th, A & S Bldg., Room G-229, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.  

You will prepare for this examination outside of class and write this examination in class, using your laptop computer. You may use notes in writing your examination answers. Once completed, you will email the completed examination to me at: joetrachtenberg@mail.clayton.edu  You will have the two hour examination period in which to complete your exam; if you arrive late for the exam, you will have the time remaining in which to complete your exam.  

The examination answers are to be your work and yours alone. Your exam should be typed, double-space, using twelve-point type. At the left top corner of the first page, provide:  your full name, POLS 3360 – The Congress, and the examination date.  

While I will not specifically deduct points for grammar, syntax or spelling mistakes, remember, common sense dictates that a well written (i.e. correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and clarity of meaning), logically organized, detailed, analytical exam, providing an in-depth treatment of a topic will earn more points than a short, poorly written, superficial treatment of the same subject.  

How long of an answer should you provide? If you have dealt clearly and effectively with all aspects of the question asked, the answer should be complete.   

Assume I know very little specifically about your chosen issue or problem. As the instructor, I will want to know how well you understand the topic. A strong essay may include information from the textbook, but it will also make extensive use of outside resources, accurate historical and current news, the opinions of recognized experts, objective analysis, and logical conclusions. Think about and explain the factual situation and concepts involved. Do not simply quote from and paraphrase the source materials you incorporate into your discussion.  

Examination Study Questions:

Before you begin your on-campus examination, I will announce from among which of these study questions you may choose ONE question to answer for 150 possible points.  

1. What functions do political parties fulfill in the American political system? Provide a detailed explanation for each function you identify. You need not limit your discussion to the six functions provided in the textbook.
   
   
2. Professor Walter Dean Burnham analysis of critical elections and political party realignment explains why and when one of the major parties goes into decline and another major party becomes the dominant national party for a period of years until it also goes into decline and another major party takes on the dominant role in the political system. Research Burnham’s thesis and using the information on the history of political parties provided in your textbook and other sources, identify the periods of one-party dominance since 1796. Explain why a specific party becomes the dominant one and another goes into decline in each of the periods of one-party dominance you identify.

3. Discuss what is meant by the “Growth of the Presidential Party.” Provide a detailed explanation of this phenomenon.
   
4. Does party organization make a difference today? Take apposition on this question and support your response with a detailed, in-depth explanation supported by factual information both from the textbook and other sources.