Midterm Review

MIDTERM REVIEW
Please review readings, class handouts and lecture notes about the following topics presented in class. Remember that the PowerPoint presentations and other entries with the exact terms are on this website (http://ucfpar09.blogspot.com/), as well as references to Florida-specific concepts. The assigned readings (chapters are on the syllabus) include additional terms and PAR examples. About half of the exam is drawn from readings and half from class lectures. There will be multiple-choice and fill in the blank questions. Go over the following example questions:

• Basics of journalism and the governmental process: Which positions are appointed and which are elected? How is local government/education funded? What is the chain of command? How does one develop a neighborhood approach to a PAR beat?
• Basics of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): What is covered? What isn’t covered?
• Open Meeting laws/ Sunshine Laws: What is covered? What isn’t covered?
• Covering meetings terms and concepts: For example, how do you determine the most significant information/action? What information lacks news values?
• Covering education terms: What is Title IX? How do we measure the strength of schools? What is the difference between tenure track and non-tenure track?
• Covering local government terms: Who is in charge of local roads? Who is in charge of stoplights? What are common committees?
• Covering police terms: How are police departments organized? Who is in charge of patrols? What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
• Covering courts terms: What is the standard of evidence in a civil trial and a criminal trial? Who has the burden of proof in a case? What is the judicial structure in Florida?