REVIEW SHEETS

REVIEW FOR FIRST EXAM

Sample Short Answer:

theory:  the partisan basis of politics

Barber's psychological classification scheme about presidents

theory:  the social basis of politics

the difference between the imperial and post-imperial presidency

in what ways can the president influence news coverage?

groupthink

multiple advocacy

positivity bias in public approval of the president

constraints on presidential decision making

difference between Presidents Reagan and Clinton on the abortion issue

3 ways to help presidential decision-making

impact of the economy and war on public approval of the president

one significant environmental policy achievement for each of the following presidents - - Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush (the father), Clinton, Bush (the son)

according to Greenstein, what were the strengths and weaknesses of Richard Nixon?

why did President Kennedy view the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with United Kingdom and the Soviet Union as an environmental treaty as well as an arms control treaty?

pick one president from Kennedy to Bush (the son) and discuss how they responded to a domestic or international crisis.

Sample Essay:

Describe the importance of the qualities of presidential leadership discussed in class:  empathy with the public, ability to communicate, credibility, a sense of timing, courage, vision, flexibility.  Which one do you believe is most important?

How the Constitution affects the presidency and how the electoral system shapes presidential campaigns

Compare and contrast how Greenstein evaluates John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush as a public communicator?  what are the implications of this evaluation?

How did Rachel Carson and her book Silent Spring shape President Kennedy's view of conservation and protecting the environment?  How did the Global 2000 Report to the President give insight into President Carter's concern about the global environment?

 
REVIEW FOR SECOND EXAM  
 

Sample Short Answer: Identify and Describe the Significance

Eisenhower and the Highway Act

Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis

Although he was legally able to run for another term as president
why did LBJ step down

Two strengths and two weaknesses of Nixon

Two strengths and two weaknesses of Carter

Two strengths and two weaknesses of Reagan 

Why Bush (the father) promised not to raise taxes and then raised taxes

President Clinton and "don't ask, don't tell" policy

George W. Bush and the Kyoto Protocol 

Sample Essay:

Consider the presidents Kennedy to Bush (the son).  Which one would you consider the Environmental President?  Explain.

Focus on the presidential administrations of Clinton and Bush (the son) and compare, contrast, evaluate. 

Are presidents agents of change or do they manipulate and court public opinion?

If most "great" presidents served during times of war or great human suffering, how do we fairly evaluate the contributions of other presidents?