New York University
Wilf Family Department of Politics
Spring 2015
Power and Politics in America
(POL-UA 300; ALHAM-UA 300)
Professor Christopher Dawes
Midterm Examination 1: February 23, 2014
ANSWER KEY
This exam consists of 17 questions in various formats; including fill in the blank,
true/false/explain, short answer, and short essay.
The number of points each question is work is indicated throughout the exam. The entire
exam is worth 88 points. You have 70 minutes (12:35 – 1:45) to complete the exam.
Please allocate your time accordingly.
You are to write all of your answers in a separate “blue book” that will be provided to
you. Please return this exam with your blue book.
Good luck!
, 2,000
Targets pledged by Mr. Obama
INDIA in 2009 U.N. accord.
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Short Essay (20 points)
In June of 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued draft regulations
NATURAL GAS OTHER NUCLEAR
that set a national standard forCOAL
carbon pollution. The goal of the plan is to cut carbon
ffect coal-fired Share of electric
pollution from power plants by37% 30% from 2005 levels by
30 2030. 14 19
tely shutter power generation
generates
untry’s
The regulation
Share of electricis primarily aimed at reducing pollution from 600 coal-fired power plants,
the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions74% in the United States. Overall, coal
24 2 0
ree-fourths of power emissions
tric power. supplies about 40% of the nation’s electricity, but states like Kentucky, Ohio, and
Missouri rely on coal for 80% to 90% of their power whereas states like California, New
York, and New Jersey rely on coal for less than 20%. Below is a map (from the New
York Times) depicting the share of electricity generated by coal in each state.
Share of electricity
WA NH
oal for the generated by coal WV
MT VT ME
and are ND
fight against 100% OR MN
ID SD WI NY MA
80 WY MI CT RI
IA PA NJ
NV NE
60 OH
UT IL IN DE
CA CO WV
KS VA MD
MO KY
40
NC DC
TN
AZ OK
20 NM AR SC
MS AL GA
0
TX LA
FL
AK
HI
mation Administration
IANO
1. What is the logic of the E.P.A., a federal agency, issuing such a regulation? Use eight
to ten sentences to discuss how the story illustrates relevant models of politics covered in
class lectures and readings. Your response should clearly identify concepts and models
of politics relevant to the story and explain how they apply to the story.
w York Times Company
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
es
e
Wilf Family Department of Politics
Spring 2015
Power and Politics in America
(POL-UA 300; ALHAM-UA 300)
Professor Christopher Dawes
Midterm Examination 1: February 23, 2014
ANSWER KEY
This exam consists of 17 questions in various formats; including fill in the blank,
true/false/explain, short answer, and short essay.
The number of points each question is work is indicated throughout the exam. The entire
exam is worth 88 points. You have 70 minutes (12:35 – 1:45) to complete the exam.
Please allocate your time accordingly.
You are to write all of your answers in a separate “blue book” that will be provided to
you. Please return this exam with your blue book.
Good luck!
, 2,000
Targets pledged by Mr. Obama
INDIA in 2009 U.N. accord.
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Short Essay (20 points)
In June of 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued draft regulations
NATURAL GAS OTHER NUCLEAR
that set a national standard forCOAL
carbon pollution. The goal of the plan is to cut carbon
ffect coal-fired Share of electric
pollution from power plants by37% 30% from 2005 levels by
30 2030. 14 19
tely shutter power generation
generates
untry’s
The regulation
Share of electricis primarily aimed at reducing pollution from 600 coal-fired power plants,
the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions74% in the United States. Overall, coal
24 2 0
ree-fourths of power emissions
tric power. supplies about 40% of the nation’s electricity, but states like Kentucky, Ohio, and
Missouri rely on coal for 80% to 90% of their power whereas states like California, New
York, and New Jersey rely on coal for less than 20%. Below is a map (from the New
York Times) depicting the share of electricity generated by coal in each state.
Share of electricity
WA NH
oal for the generated by coal WV
MT VT ME
and are ND
fight against 100% OR MN
ID SD WI NY MA
80 WY MI CT RI
IA PA NJ
NV NE
60 OH
UT IL IN DE
CA CO WV
KS VA MD
MO KY
40
NC DC
TN
AZ OK
20 NM AR SC
MS AL GA
0
TX LA
FL
AK
HI
mation Administration
IANO
1. What is the logic of the E.P.A., a federal agency, issuing such a regulation? Use eight
to ten sentences to discuss how the story illustrates relevant models of politics covered in
class lectures and readings. Your response should clearly identify concepts and models
of politics relevant to the story and explain how they apply to the story.
w York Times Company
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
es
e
