What This Document Is
This document is a final exam from an American University course (GOVT 226) titled “The Constitution, Presidential Power, and the War on Terror,” administered on April 27, 2021. It assesses student understanding of the expansion of presidential power, particularly in the context of post-9/11 national security policies. The exam focuses on the balance of power between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, and the constitutional limits on presidential authority.
Why This Document Matters
This exam is valuable for students currently enrolled in similar courses, those preparing for related exams, or anyone seeking a focused review of presidential power dynamics in American history. It’s particularly relevant for understanding the legal and constitutional debates surrounding the “War on Terror” and the lasting impact of the 9/11 attacks on civil liberties. It serves as a benchmark for the level of analysis expected in upper-level political science coursework.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document is a single exam and does not represent a comprehensive course syllabus or textbook. It assumes prior knowledge of the Federalist Papers, the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer case, and the historical context of the post-9/11 era. It is a summative assessment, not an instructional tool.
What This Document Provides
The full exam includes an introductory essay framing the issue of presidential power post-9/11, referencing James Madison’s Federalist No. 51 and the concept of checks and balances. It presents Justice Robert H. Jackson’s tripartite test from *Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer* as a framework for evaluating presidential actions. This preview only provides the introductory section of the exam; the full document contains the complete exam questions which assess application of these concepts to the presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. It does *not* include answers or detailed explanations of the exam questions.