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SAMPLE EXAM

Answer clearly and concisely two (2) of the following questions. Limit your answere to no more than three (3) pages per question. The questions are weighted equally, so allocate your efforts accordingly. Responses are due Wednesday, April 11, ar 11:00 A. M.

1 Of the various roles played by the mass media, which are performed well, and which are not performed well? Do any of the "mediums" (components of the "mass media") perform better than others with respect to any particular role? Justify your conclusions! In this case "well" relates to contributions to political democracy.

2 Using the various criteria discussed in class, evaluate the extent to which elections in the U S cpntribute to the operation of political democracy. Be sure to provide supporting evidence to bolster your conclusions.

3 Mainstream political scientists argue that within any political system, whenever political parties are weakened, political interest groups will rush in to fill the power vacuum. They tend to imply that this is not a good thing. Given what you know about what parties and interest groups in the U S are supposed to do, and what they actually do, do these scholars have justifiable reasons to worry? Justify your conclusions! Agaon the criterion for judging is contribution to political democracy.

1	Of the various roles played by the mass media, which are performed well, and which are not performed well? Do any of the "mediums" (components of the "mass media") perform better than others with respect to any particular role? Justify your conclusions! In this case "well" relates to contributions to political democracy.

2	Using the various criteria discussed in class, evaluate the extent to which elections in the U S cpntribute to the operation of political democracy. Be sure to provide supporting evidence to bolster your conclusions.

3	Mainstream political scientists argue that within any political system, whenever political parties are weakened, political interest groups will rush in to fill the power vacuum. They tend to imply that this is not a good thing. Given what you know about what parties and interest groups in the U S are supposed to do, and what they actually do, do these scholars have justifiable reasons to worry? Justify your conclusions! Agaon the criterion for judging is contribution to political democracy.