Privacy & Politics Midterm

You must answer three essay questions.  Each of your essays should be at least two pages long (typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins).  All of your essays must be carefully argued and well organized.  If you have writing problems, bring your exam to the Writing Center before you hand it in on Tuesday, March 25.  All students must use the Term Paper Checklist in order avoid common mistakes.  If careless errors indicate that you failed to proofread your work, you can expect to receive a very low grade on this exam. 

Note:  If you plagiarize any part of this exam, you will fail both this exam and this course. 

1. Summarize the main points made by Louis Brandeis and Samuel Warren in "The Right to Privacy."

2. Contrast the Supreme Court's reasoning in Lochner v. New York with the conclusions drawn in Muller v. Oregon.

3. Summarize the Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade.  Be sure to mention the dissenting arguments.  Note: Many web sites contain summaries of this decision.  Do not copy anything from anywhere!  Print the decision; read it carefully; and translate the main points into your own words.

Extra Credit:

Summarize the Supreme Court's ruling in Olmstead v. United States.  Include both the majority and the dissenting arguments.

Additional assignment:

Browse through the required readings for the rest of the course.  Choose a topic for a class presentation.  You must indicate your topic at the end of your midterm.  You will not be allowed to change your topic later.  You are also required to find additional information on your topic on the Internet.  Please provide the address of the site(s) you plan to use as the source for your presentation.