Study Guide for the 4th Exam

                                       POLS1101

 

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Key Terms

 

Article I                        Bicameralism                           Standing Committee    

Conference Committee Joint Committee                       Select Committee

Filibuster                     Speaker of the House              Majority Party Leader

Cloture                        President Pro Tempore            Pork Barrel Politics                            

Article II                      The Cabinet                             The Executive Office of the President

Office of Budget and Management (OMB)                  The National Security Council

Executive Order           Executive Agreement                Presidential disability

Pocket Veto                 War Powers Resolution            Legislative Courts

22nd Amendment           Subcommittee                          Majority Opinion        

Article III                     Circuit Court                           Constitutional Courts

Judicial Activism          Dissenting Opinion                  Concurring Opinion

Civil law                      Criminal Law                           Judicial Review                                               

Marbury v. Madison    Common law                            Administrative Law

Appellate Jurisdiction  Original Jurisdiction               Federal District Courts

                       

Major Themes

 

Chapter 10:  You should understand:

(1)    Basics of the legislative branch, such as members’ qualifications, terms of services, the power and functions of the Congress (review Article I of the Constitution)

(2)    Leadership structures and the committee system: key leadership positions, types of committees, difference between the two houses.

(3)    How a bill becomes a law: who can sponsor a law, where does a bill begin to be deliberated, what is concurrent majority, the role of conference committee and the President

 

Chapter 11: You should understand:

(1)    Basics of the Presidency, such as the formal and informal qualifications for becoming a U.S. President, term limits, and succession, and Powers and functions of the Presidency: such as legislative powers, executive powers and judicial powers (review Article II of Constitution)

(2)    Why people want to become a president? What makes a good president? Who succeed the president if the president is disabled or deceased?

(3)    Presidential Institutions: EOP, WHO, NSC, Cabinet

 

Chapter 15: You should know: 

(1)    Basics of the judicial branch: such as the structure of the judicial system, powers and functions of the different courts, and appointment and length of service of judges (review Article III)

(2)    Judicial review: where does it originate, why is it significant?

(3)    Decision Making: how do judges decide cases? What kind of judicial philosophies that may influence their decisions?