GOVT 2301 Exam 1 Take Home Essay
Fall 2009
Dr. Garrison
 (sheatx2e/fal09)

 (Revised 9-21-09)

(50 points)
 

     Write an essay fully answering and explaining this question: 

What are the major ideas of the political philosophy of the Constitution? Do we need a new constitution? Choose three of Professor Sabato's 23 suggested changes/reforms to the Constitution for your thoughtful commentary and analysis.

    
Recommended references (may also be available at EReserves):
 Duane Smith, "An introduction to the political philosophy of the Constitution," The Center for Civic Education, www.civiced.org.

Jon Meachum, "A nation of Christians is not a Christian nation," New York Times, October 7, 2007.
Robert Dahl, "On the Way to the Common Good, Delegates Found Words That Still Apply," New York Times, November 28, 2007.
Larry Sabato, "We Need a New Constitution," Los Angeles Times, October 10, 2007.
Ezra Klein, Review of Sabato, A More Perfect Constitution, Barnes & Noble Review, January 10, 2008.
Phyllis Schlafly, "Bad New Plans to Rewrite the Constitution," Eagle Forum.org, November 21, 2007.
 Larry Sabato: "A More Perfect Constitution" (Walker) (Audio Rebroadcast), The Diane Rehm Show, January 21, 2008.
Larry Sabato author of "A More Perfect Constitution" and Eric Lane and Michael Oreskes authors of "The Genius of America," Book TV C-SPAN2 Video. 

Larry Sabato: It's Time to Reshape the Constitution and Make ... -

Sep 29, 2007 ... It's Time to Reshape the Constitution and Make America a Fairer Country - The Huffington Post.
www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-sabato/its-time-to-reshape-the-_b_66030.html

Sanford Levinson, Bill Moyers Journal, PBS, December 21, 2007.
Sanford Levinson, "Students Weigh In," Our Undemocratic Constitution Blog, January 17, 2008.

Is the Constitution Outdated?
Distinguished guests Larry J. Sabato, Michael Oreskes and Eric Lane help determine whether our Constitution needs updating or greater fidelity to its guiding principles. www.constitutioncenter.org We the People Stories

http://amoreperfectconstitution.com/

http://www.constitutionfacts.com/

http://www.moreperfect.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

 


  

 The Bonus Opportunity on the Exam: State up to five facts you learned for the exam but were not asked in the multiple choice and the facts did not belong in your essay. Each fact is worth two points. For example: The President is the commander in chief of all the armed forces of the U.S.

GUIDELINES FOR ESSAYS:

     Please write about philosophical and political principles and concepts.  Do not write a lot of history.  Use history only to illustrate the ideas. Answer the question based on your synthesis of the accompanying articles, your text, and class discussion.  The major ideas of the accompanying articles must be in the essay.
     Write in your own words and cite the articles when you use them. For essay writing guidelines Professor Charles King's essay "Battling the Six Evil Geniuses of Essay Writing," PS Online, March 1998 available at Library EReserves is highly recommended.
     Please type your essay as a Word document following the writing and documentation rules. Please document references used in your essay. Provide a reference list and include citations in the essay text. Bring your completed essay to the exam in class. You will need the Scantron portion of the Mini-Essay booklet and a number 2 pencil for the multiple choice questions. You will also need blank pages to write the bonus opportunity facts.