HONORS GOVT 2302 EXAM 1
TAKE HOME ESSAY
Dr. Garrison
Spring 2009
(revised 2-25-09)
(ocsabtxt06/spr09)
Take the exam in class. Write your essay in a Blue Book available in the bookstores and bring the essay to class for the exam.You need a Mini Essay Scantron booklet and a number 2 pencil for the multiple-choice questions. You will also need space to answer the bonus opportunity.
The Bonus Opportunity on the Exam is to state one
to five facts you learned for the exam that 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.
THE ESSAY QUESTION
(80 points):
Choose one:
Choice
A.
Write about Judge William Wayne Justice and the major ideas about the courts,
the law, and the U.S./Texas civil liberties and civil rights issues he dealt
with during his tenure as as federal district judge in Texas. Also write about
the judicial selection issues highlighted in the film and web site "Justice
for Sale." Also write about the role of a judge, contending judicial
philosophies and issues and the constitutional interpretation debate. What is
the proper role of a judge?
Explain the American conception of due process of law.
Explain the relationship of due process to the Bill of Rights civil liberties.
Write specifically about
a. the freedom of speech or
b. the religion clauses of the First Amendment or
c. the rights of the accused and Amendments 4-8.
Illustrate
with reference to major Supreme Court decisions, legal doctrine, and legal tests.
Sources:
Use the textbook and at least three articles from reputable sources such as
those
"The
Attack on Civil Liberties," The Village Voice, especially
the Nat
Hentoff articles
http://www.villagevoice.com/specials/civil_liberties/
Stuart
Taylor's legal articles at
www.theatlantic.com
Dahlia Lithwick esays at
www.slate.com
American
Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
American Center for Law & Justice
ACLJ
relevant articles at
LRC
Ereserves
Choice C. Write an essay about the
U. S. Supreme Court, the Texas
legal system and the death penalty. Include the most recent issues regarding the
death penalty.
"Habeas Corpus: Writs Gone Wrong,"
Austin American-Statesman
"Death
No More: The Texas Death Penalty,"
Dallas Morning News
Choice D. Civil Rights in America
Write about the major civil rights events, Supreme
Court decisions, federal and state laws, etc. regarding civil rights
particularly for various groups in American history. Include Texas
issues, cases, law as much as possible. Write specifically about racial and gender discrimination and
also affirmative action.
Choice E.
The Right to Privacy
Define and discuss the right to privacy including access to contraceptives, abortion, drug testing, homosexual rights, and other rights such as privacy of medical records, Social Security records, the selling of your name, address, and financial records to direct mail outlets, etc. On what bases does the Court determine privacy rights? Illustrate with reference to major Supreme Court decisions including a thorough discussion of Griswold v. Connecticut, Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v Casey and Lawrence v. Texas.
Choice F.
Explain the idea of
due process
of
law and its
evolution. Explain the
relationship of
due process to the
Bill of Rights and
illustrate these ideas with major Supreme Court cases and issues.