Exam Preparation Notes

Stating Answers Correctly:
- Students must state answers accurately and completely, not just imply them.
- Example: When defining concepts, provide full explanations and not leave out important details.
Completing Assignments:
- Assignments should be fully completed, including any written components after quoting material.
Accessing Information:
- Students are responsible for accessing information provided orally and on the instructor's webpage.
Learning from Mistakes:
- Mistakes are valuable learning opportunities.
- The brain often learns by identifying incorrect methods.

Definition:
- The social contract is an agreement where the government protects individual rights and, in return, people follow the government.
- If the government fails to protect these rights, the people have the right to alter or abolish it.
- Example: "Rights are not protected by the government, they have the right to change the powers of the government."
  - This implies that the contract is: government protects individual rights; people follow the government if it does that.

Definition:
- Popular sovereignty is when the people create and can bring down the government.
- Example Quote: "New government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form…"
Application:
- The quote exemplifies popular sovereignty because it shows the people establishing the principles and structure of their government.

Clarity Over Style:
- AP graders prioritize clear understanding and complete responses over beautiful prose.
- Redundancy is acceptable if it ensures a thorough answer.
Responding to Prompts:
- Ensure answers directly and completely address the prompt.
- A well-written response that misses the prompt's core earns zero points.

Translation and Explanation:
- Translate historical texts into modern language to demonstrate understanding.
- Be specific and provide comprehensive explanations.
**Example: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator.
**
- Define "self-evident": The truths are obvious/the truth is always that…
- Example: Rights that can't be taken away from the government.
- Define "unalienable rights": Rights that morally shouldn't be taken away; individual rights you're born with; natural Rights.

Government Change:
- Government shouldn't be changed for like…
- It shouldn't be, like, changed…
- The government shouldn't be changed without serious consideration.
- Mankind is more disposed to suffer…
- Abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed…

Importance of Asking Questions:
- Students should ask for clarification if they don't understand something.
- Do not hesitate to ask, even if it seems like a simple question.
Instructor's Role:
- The instructor is willing and glad to help students, regardless of how many times they ask.
Personal Anecdote:
- The instructor shares a story about seeking help from a professor during their own studies.

Democracy:
- Discussion on different types of democracies and non-democracies.
Greek Roots:
- Demos (Greek) means people.
- Kratos (Greek) means power or rule.
- Democracy means people rule or people power.
Types of Democracy:
- Direct democracy.
- Indirect democracy.

Direct Democracy:
- All the people vote on all of the issues.
  - Impractical in America today due to the large population.
Indirect Democracy:
- Citizens vote for representatives to create public policy.

Definition:
- Any decision or action that the government makes on a particular issue.
Examples:
- Legislative Branch (Congress) makes laws (e.g., on taxes).
- Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) makes decisions on the constitutionality of laws.
Roe v. Wade:
- Established women's legal right to abortion.
- Overturned by the Dobbs decision, which now allows each state to determine the legality of abortion.
- Public policy is not set in stone and can change.