COMPREHENSIVE EXAM FOR
THE URBAN POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION CONCENTRATION
FALL 2015
INSTRUCTIONS:
• Please read these instructions carefully.
• You must answer two questions in essay format. One question is from Urban Politics and
Policy. The other is from Race and Ethnic Politics.
• ANSWER ONE QUESTION FROM PART ONE AND ONE QUESTION FROM PART II. DO
NOT answer two questions from the same field.
• Each answer must be emailed back in separate files; Word is preferable. Do not combine
your answers into one file.
• Each file must be named thus: [YOUR NAME] [FIELD] [QUESTION NUMBER]. For example:
SmithRaceQuestion1.doc.
• Your answers must be double-spaced, with normal margins (1 inch in all sides), and a normal
font.
• The recommended length of your answer is five pages per question.
• If you plagiarize in any way you will fail the exam. Plagiarism includes using the words of
others without attribution (i.e., without quotation marks and citations). It also includes using
the ideas of others without attribution (i.e. without citations). The complete Brooklyn College
policy on academic integrity can be found here: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/
abo_initiatives/110901_AcademicIntegrity.pdf
THE GRADING RUBRIC
1. The essay must answer the question asked. Focusing your analysis on related topics, even if
well-presented, is not acceptable. If the reader cannot tell which question you are answering, then
you have not answered the question. (If you write on a related topic, you have not answered the
question, and thus have not written a passing answer.)
2. Each essay must have an ARGUMENT, which is clearly stated in the first paragraph. This
statement should convey what claim you defend in the essay/the position you take in the
scholarly debate. (If you do not have an argument, you cannot answer the question, and thus
have not written a passing answer).
3. Each essay must be clearly structured, beginning with a statement summarizing the response
to the questions, and followed by clear and specific points to support that response. It should be
clear to the reader how each paragraph supports the main argument.
4. The essay should provide specific examples for each point made. For example, an essay
analyzing three causes of armed conflict should mention one specific example for each cause
discussed.
5. Each essay must cite at least three scholars in the field. You should select scholars whose
work is appropriate to the question asked, and your characterization of their argument must be
correct.
6. Each essay must be clearly written and free of grammatical errors.
7. All sources must be cited following Chicago (footnotes or endnotes with full citation information)
or APA (in-text references plus a list of works cited). Quotes, figures, and theories are among the
sources that require citations.
APA STYLE GUIDE: http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/DocAPACitations.html.
CHICAGO STYLE GUIDE: http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/DocChicago.html.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
PART I:
URBAN POLICY AND POLITICS QUESTIONS—answer ONLY one from this section
(Recommended length is five double-space pages)
1. Is gentrification a necessary evil, and is there a way to maintain urban vitality without
gentrification? Some criticize gentrification as a process that drives out the poor and
homogenizes urban neighborhoods that otherwise would be economically, ethnically and
racially diverse. Others argue that gentrification is inevitable for certain parts of a city that
experience decay, rising crime and deprivation of basic resources (such as
supermarkets, banks, etc.). What is your opinion about gentrification? Explain your
answer in light of the existing theories and evidence in urban politics.
2. To what extent does “politics” matter in urban politics and policy making? Some found
that the political characteristic of the city, such as mayor’s partisanship, has little to do
with the city’s cultural, economic and social policies, while others contend that political
ideology of the elites plays a crucial role in determining the nature of urban policies. If
politics matters, which aspect of politics – e.g., election, agenda setting, or interest group
– is important for decision making? If politics does not matter much, what influences the
direction of urban policies? Explain your answer with evidence that supports your
position.
PART II:
RACE AND ETHNIC POLITICS QUESTIONS—answer ONE one from this section
(Recommended length is five double-space pages)
3. What factors do you think facilitate or hinder the ability of racial minority groups living in
US cities to use the electoral system to improve the economic position of their group?
Refer to the relevant literature in developing your arguments and draw on specific textual
evidence to illustrate and/or support your claims.
4. Some scholars and activist have argued that in districts where racial minorities are less
than 50 percent of the potential voting population , minority candidates have a better
chance at getting elected by building coalitions with liberal white voters. Others, however,
have cautioned that participating in such coalitions may dilute the voice and effectiveness
of such candidates once in office. What do you think? Refer to the relevant literature in
developing your arguments and draw on specific textual evidence to illustrate and/or
support your claims.