- This module contains our first exam. Please note that you have the entire week to write this exam.
- Please watch the entire exam overview video below before you begin writing your exam.
- DUE DATE: Sunday, midnight, 8/3/25
- How to submit your exam: write (or save) your exam as a Microsoft Word document (.DOC or .DOCX file). Upload your exam on the bottom of this page, just like you would upload Reading Response Papers (or quiz).
- NOTE: If you submit your exam as a PDF document, I will not grade it, and you will not receive a grade for the exam.
- GRADING: Your exam will be graded as follows: each question is worth 16.6 points, 6 x 16.6 = 100 points in total.
- RETURNING YOUR EXAM: Your graded exam will be returned to you via email. You must include your email on your exam paper! YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR NAME and EMAIL ADDRESS ON YOUR EXAM PAPER, AS WELL!
- Note: this is an open book and open notes/videos exam (just like our quiz was). This means, when answering the questions, you can use all of the materials available on our class website. However, you must not use any outside information. Any outside information will be not given credit. Also, everything in your answers must be in your own words. No quotes from any of the readings or videos (you must paraphrase, put everything in your own words).
- Note 2: Your answers to the questions on this exam, are supposed to be short and directly to the point. This means the typical answer should be in the range of 5-7 sentences minimum. However, there’s no need to write full essays for each question on this exam.
WATCH – Exam Overview Video
In this short video, I cover some approaches to writing this exam.
WRITE – EXAM Questions
- Basing your answer on the Michael Parenti reading in Module 4, describe the difference between the two main social classes in US society: the owners (the capitalist class) and the workers. Make sure you briefly define each class and show makes it different from the other class. Include examples to reinforce your arguments.
2. According to the material presented in both modules 4 and 5, what is SURPLUS VALUE? Your answer should explain what surplus value is, and provide an example. Note: you should base your answer on the discussion of surplus value by Michael Parenti and the first video in Module 5.
3. What is the difference between labor and labor power? Base your discussion on the first video in Module 5 and the reading by P. Jallee in Module 6. Give an example of each.
4. What is the difference between C-M-C and M-C-M’? In other words, explain what each mean and how they are different from each other.
5. Based on the arguments presented in Readings 6.1 and 6.2 (especially, this reading by Charles Beard), which social class wrote the Constitution, and which class was excluded and not allowed to participate in this process? In your answer, make sure you clearly specify the difference between the two classes by giving examples from the readings.
6. According to Federalist #10, what is the source of wealth among people? Note: most students get this question wrong by not paying attention to how we analyzed this section in Federalist #10. To avoid this, make sure you review my video to this reading in Module 6, as well my summary video on the bottom of Module 6.
SUBMIT – Your Completed Exam
Your exam must be submitted as a MS Word document (that way, I’ll be able to comment on it, as part of my grading.
Click on the link below to upload your exam:
