PREPARING FOR THE
MIDTERM AND FINAL EXAMS

In-class midterm exam:

The midterm exam will consist of five terms to identify and one essay question. You can--and should--be keeping track of the terms to identify as you listen to each lecture. A list of possible essay questions will be distributed in class (and available on the website) approximately one week before the exam date.

The selection of both the terms and the essay question will be a random process; that is, at the beginning of the exam, five terms and one essay question will be drawn out of a box (like a lottery drawing). Clearly, then, students are expected to be prepared to write on any and all of the materials presented in class. I encourage you to keep up with the weekly assigned readings, take careful notes in class, and start early getting ready for the exams. I also urge you to discuss the course readings with other students and to form study groups outside of class to help you prepare.

Grading: Each term you identify is worth a possible 5 points. Each essay question is worth a possible 25 points. The total score for the midterm exam will be computed by multiplying the number of possible points (25 for the essay plus 25 for the five identifications) times two for a total of 100 points.

Take-home final exam:

The final exam will consist of five terms to identify and two essay questions. You can--and should--be keeping track of the terms of identify as you listen to each lecture. A lists of possible essay questions will be distributed in class (and available on the website) approximately one week before the last class.

The selection of the terms to identify and the essay question will be up to the student, though all must be drawn from the lists provided in class. All exams must be typed or computer-printed. Handwritten exams will not be accepted.

Grading: Each term you identify is worth a possible 5 points. Each essay question is worth a possible 25 points. The total score for the final exam will be computed by multiplying the number of possible points (25 for each essay plus 25 for the five identifications, for a total of 75 points) times two for a total of 150 points.

For additional information, see "Exam Scoring and Expectations" at the bottom of this page.

The final exam will be due in my office, 335 McKenzie, on or before Friday, March 21, at 10:15 a.m.

First: Can you say what it is and when it happened?

Second: Can you say why it is important or significant?

Of the five possible points, points 1-2 come from giving the basic information, and points 3-5 from your assessment of its significance. You will, of course, do better if you can show 2 or 3 kinds of significance than just one, so keep this is mind as you review your notes and the readings to study for the exam.

1: Organization

Did you answer the question directly and at the beginning, and begin each paragraph with a significant statement or topic sentence?

2: Evidence or Examples

Did you provide specific examples?

-Not "the Progressive reforms"

-Or even "the Progressive electoral reforms"

-But "the referendum, initiative, recall"

Those two things--organization and evidence--are the building blocks of all acceptable essays and they are absolute requirements for passing the class.

Here are two additional criteria I use to tell a really good or outstanding essay from an ordinary one:

3) Selectivity and Coverage

Are your examples drawn from the class readings as well as from the lecture, and do they show that you've read and understood a wide range of the course materials?

Remember, not just any example will do, so look for examples that show that you understand the essence or significance of whatever historical development you’re talking about.

4) Originality

Have you organized your essay in way that shows your own thinking rather than just repeating the material given to you in lectures?

 

Good Luck!