11/2 homework

Homework due Nov. 2, assessment to follow.

Chapter 10 THE CONGRESS

Answer the following fully:

1. What is the difference between a term and session of congress? (263-4)
2. How many members are there in the House of Reps.? How many Reps. does California have? What is the total number of members in Congress (House and Senate combined)?
3. Why does Ca. have so many Reps.?
4. What is reapportionment and how does it work? (267-8 fully explain)?
5. Look at the map on page 268 and answer the following:
a. Which States have only one Rep.?
b. Which States lost Reps?
c. Which States gained Reps?
d. Why have the "Rust Belt" states lost and the "Sun Belt" states gained Reps. (Listen carefully in class and I'll tell you!)?
6. What date is given for congressional elections (269 be specific)?
7. What is a single-member district vs. voting at-large for Reps.? (270)
8. Literally, what is Gerrymandering? (271)
9. What are the qualifications to be a member of the House? (272)
10. Prior to the 17th Amendment, how were Senators "selected"? (276)
11. What are the qualifications to be a member of the Senate? (277-8)
12. Look at the cartoon on page 278 and explain, according the the cartoon, how Senators were selected in the late nineteeth century?
13. What is the oversight function of Congress and WHY is it soooo important? (281)
14. Make a list of the salary and other compensations or benefits members of Congress are offered. (282-4)

10/26 homework

Be sure not to miss the Interest Group simulation! Points will be awarded and siezed to and from your groups grade. Points awarded to the winners. Pay attention and be helpful.

And...remember to complete the homework on the news that was assigned in class last week. It  is due on Friday as well.
Chapter 9
Special Interest Groups
Complete the following:

1. What is the underlying purpose of interest groups?
2. What do Madison and de Tocqueville say about interest groups in the U.S.? (238-9)
3. What are 5 valuable funtions of interest groups? (239)
4. What are 4 criticisms of interest groups? (240)
5. What are economic interest groups? (243-4)
6. What are public-interest-groups? (247)
7. What are PACs and how do they operate? (250-4)

10/12 homework

Homework for Oct. 12. due at the beginning of the period, quiz to follow.

Ch. 7

Answer all questions completely and in complete sentences.

Ch. 7 Elections

Define the following terms:

1. caucus
2. direct primary
3. closed primary
4. open primary
5. blanket primary
6. runoff primary
7. absentee voting
8. coattail effect
9. Australian ballot
10. office-group ballot
11. party column ballot
12. bedsheet ballot
13. Political action committee
14. subsidy
15. Hard v. soft money