HUMANITIES QUIZ

I hope some professors put these on their final exams (all essay, of course).  These are some “laugh a little, cry a little” questions.

Literature:

1.      What is the "dead hand?" Give examples from English and American novels. Does this still happen today in “real life”?

2.      What did Nietzche mean by his title, “The Gay Science”?

3.      Can one legitimately use the scientific method to “prove a negative” in humanities, as compared to physical sciences?

Political History:

1.      The Libertarian Party came into being in 1971. Give a perspective to show, in terms of the events of the years immediately before, why this was a particularly apt time.

2.      The advocacy “rights of gay people” became associated with the political left in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.  Why?  From a viewpoint of philosophical principle does this make sense?  Could the rise of individualism cause “gay rights” at some time in the future to be associated with the conservative side of the spectrum?  Explain.

3.      Many Americans want political policies that are “socially liberal and fiscally conservative.”  Then why is it so difficult for either major party to follow this idea?

4.      Give examples of how policies regarding the US military have affected civilians directly and indirectly.  Include the role of the “draft” in the discussion (since 1960).  

5.      Has the development of the Internet affected the balance of power in control of the media between large corporations on the one hand and small businesses and individuals on the other?  Explain.  

Law:

1. Differentiate between libel and "false light" privacy invasion. When is truth a defense?

2.      Does a business's "for profit" legal status affect is ability to claim fair use in the Copyright Act? Explain.

Economics

1.  How is “intellectual” property like and unlike other kinds of property (“real” property and tangible property).

2.      Is it mathematically possible to allow younger workers to control their own “social security” contributions in private accounts without jeopardizing future benefits for those who have (to date) always paid traditional social security taxes?

3.      Would a “flat tax” that allowed dependent exemptions still be a flat tax?

4.    When have interest rate hikes by the Fed actually led to recessions?