TAKE HOME MIDTERM

PART II

POLI SCI 2

DUE DATE:  Tuesday, January 16 IN CLASS.

Your midterm is essay format and must be typed (essays that are not typed will be marked down ONE full grade.)

Plagiarism:  All answers should be in your own words.  Use lots of examples and cite each example with a page number, but DO NOT USE QUOTES from the textbook in class.  All examples should be substantially paraphrased in your own words; and since I have read the textbook, I am going to know if you are just lifting sentences out of it - so don't test me on this.  You will receive an "F" on your midterm for plagiarism, and possibly an "F" in the class for gross infractions of this rule.

Essays

Answer each of the following questions by writing a 2-3 page (double spaced) typed answer for each.  Answer each in as much detail as you can, defining terms and providing examples.  Points will be awarded on the basis of specificity and the coherence of the argument you provide.  Do not use direct quotes from the book but instead paraphrase all examples in your own words.  

1. In this course, we have discussed the differences between unitary and federal systems.  Compare the political systems in terms of representation and policy making in Britain/Japan and the United States/Germany.  Explain the relationship between the national government and subnational (regional/local) governments and how state policy gets made.  Do you favor a unitary system or a federal system?  Why? (150 points)
2. Compare and contrast the issue of collective identity in Britain, Germany, Japan, and India?  How do people perceive themselves as part of the political-social community?  What has been the experience of marginal sectors (ideological, ethnic/racial, religious) in terms of conflict and conciliation of these populations?  Do the political systems also reflect their interests?  (150 points)

LATE POLICY:  Exams that are not submitted to me in class on the due date will be penalized 20 points for each day that they are late, including Saturday and Sunday.  Late midterms are defined as those which reach me after class on the specific due date (i.e., a paper turned in after class is 1 day late).  E-mailed midterms will NOT be accepted.