Requirements
University policy requires evaluation of each student's performance at
semester's end. To make this evaluation as fair as possible students must
have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their mastery of the material.
Accordingly, there will be three in-class examinations, a short paper,
and a series of seven map quizzes.
The issue position paper is to be a brief (5 pages) assessment of arguments
and evidence surrounding a controversial issue in contemporary world politics.
An initial draft of the paper is due during the week of
and the final draft is due the week of
.
The paper assignment is discussed in more detail on a separate
paper assignment page.
Three examinations each cover approximately one-third of the course
material. The first two exams are held during regular lecture periods on
and
while the third is given on
, the scheduled final examination date.
(The third exam is
not comprehensive.) The three exams
follow a common format combining multiple choice and short answer questions.
Map quizzes designed to familiarize students with states comprising
the contemporary international system are given at approximately two-week
intervals throughout the semester.
These quizzes are discussed in more detail on a separate
map quiz page.
Each examination contributes 20% to the final course grade.
the issue paper contributes 20%, and the
map quizzes collectively account for the remaining 20%.
Point totals on the exams and quizzes are self-weighting so that when
added together they automatically count in the proper proportions.
Final grades are assigned according to the percentage of correct
answers using the following scale: 90% or higher guarantees an A;
80%-89% is a B; 70%-79% a C; 60%-69% a D; below 60% an E.
No extra credit or other compensatory work will be applied to the
compilation of final course grades.