1) Considering the history of civil rights in the US, craft an essay explaining why reconstruction failed to secure rights for African Americans while the civil rights movement of the 1950s-60s succeeded.

Part 1: Descriptive Essay (25 points)

Choose one essay out of the two below. I encourage you to take account of key terms and readings and to make an outline before writing the essay. Make sure to answer every part of the question you choose.

1) Considering the history of civil rights in the US, craft an essay explaining why reconstruction failed to secure rights for African Americans while the civil rights movement of the 1950s-60s succeeded. Make sure to discuss the institutions and historical circumstances that distinguish the two contexts. Then, reflect on an aspect of racial discrimination that was not successfully eradicated by the civil rights movement: specifically, discuss a case of racial discrimination that persists in our current-day context.

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2) Why is public opinion important in a democracy? Craft an essay explaining the significance of this concept and outlining how must it be measured to provide a meaningful snapshot of what the public believes. Then, discuss the major ways in which the media can influence public opinion.

Part 2: Argumentative Essay (25 points)

Choose one essay out of the two below. I encourage you to take account of key terms and readings and to make an outline before writing the essay. Make sure to articulate a clear argument and to develop it in the course of the essay. Don’t forget to answer every part of the question you choose.

1) “The electoral college is an outdated institution that should be abolished.” Argue for or against this statement. In making your case, make sure to consider the framers’ reasons for the electoral college, its effects on current-day US politics, and, more broadly, the different ideas of political representation associated with arguments for and against the electoral college. Don’t forget to address possible objects and counterarguments to your case. 

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2) “The flaw in the pluralist heaven,” writes Schattschneider, “is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent.” Moreover, Tocqueville fears that American democracy may fall prey to a new sort of aristocracy in which wealthy industrialists feel no sense of connection or responsibility to the rest of society. Together, these observations raise significant skepticism about the political ideal of pluralism advanced by the framers of the US constitution. Craft an essay arguing for or against this ideal. First, explain the concept of pluralism and its relationship to interest group politics. Then, evaluate the political consequences of pluralism in US politics, considering these consequences especially in light of the above criticisms. Don’t forget to address possible objects and counterarguments to your case.