Guidelines for Exam 2 Preparation

1 PLS 428 Exam 2 guideline How to prepare Time for exam 12 hours Tuesday December 6 9 am to 9 pm Questions will be released via Canvas and students should submit their responses in Canvas Essaytype questions two questions The general rubric for grading is as follows 25 points per question Has the student answered the question 4 Has the student used arguments based on course readingslecturesclass discussions Provides evidence for claims using APSA referencing no need to reference ideas discussed in class You are free to use sources other than readings 4 The logical flow of the answer Logic of argument and flow order of ideas 3 Within the word limit 6001000 words for each question 3 Level of clarity in communicating the answer 8 Organization Introduction main body and conclusion Use topic sentences for paragraphs Clear full sentences Transitions check this Paraphrase rather than use direct quotes Has the student provided examples to explain herhis answer 3 Prepareresearch probable questions using class notesreadingsslides prior to the exam Late submission Delay in submission will result in 20 grade deduction for the first 6 hours after the due time 50 deduction if 612 hours late and a zero thereafter In other words if a student submits it at 905 am on the next day then she will get a zero for this exam It is your responsibility to make sure you submit the answers on time Avoid submitting at the last minute Emailing me your responses after the due time is still counted as a late submission Revise your answers before submitting Your answers will undergo plagiarism tool 2 ANALYZE Explain step by step or point by point while writing Pay attention to who what where when why and how in the answer Include strengths weaknesses pros and cons research for and against COMPARE Stress similarities and differences between objects concepts or ideas CONTRAST Emphasize the dissimilarities differences or unique and distinguishing characteristics in the response DEFINE Clearly state the meaning list qualities traits or characteristics DESCRIBE Include traits characteristics or retell a story including those facts that summarize the essential features DISCUSS Present significant characteristics pros and cons pertinent research and the significance of each Develop the arguments for and against or analyze the advantages disadvantages or problems EVALUATE Emphasize positive and negative aspects Include opinions and support these with some kind of proof information or examples Normally instructors dont like unsupported opinions from college students CRITICALLY EVALUATE To critically evaluate you must provide your opinion or verdict on whether an argument or set of research findings is accurate This should be done in as critical a manner as possible Provide your opinion on the extent to which a statement or research finding is true Weigh arguments for and against something assessing the strength of the evidence on both sides EXPLAIN Give reasons or justifications for something or present causes rationalizations or how or why something occurred JUSTIFY Present rationale reasons for conclusions recommendations or results Use proof research examples or quotes to support justifications LIST Record topics in numerical developmental or chronological order Many times Academic Resources OUTLINE Present your answer in terms of major points followed by clarifying details or facts No elaboration is usually necessary It is wise to find out if your instructors wish for you to outline by listing only main and subordinate points in short numbered phrases or if they want you to use the narrative format with complete sentences and paragraphs SUMMARIZE List major ideas concepts and consequences in a short paragraph or a sentence Could also mean present a brief abstract of main ideas compose a concise resume covering only the highlights and relevant details Little elaboration is necessary 3 Exam 2 pool of likely questions 1 Analyze how democracy affects terrorism Relevant readings Ghatak et al 2019 Windsor 2003 Li 2005 2 How according to Krieger and Meierrrieka 2018 studies that preceded their research on inequality and terrorism had inconclusive and puzzling findings What is their key argument on the topic Elaborate on their theory or the how behind their argument and summarize their empirical evidence Lastly identify any weakness in their paper state why it is a weakness and what you would do otherwise 3 Terrorism is less effective as a strategiclevel tool but relatively more effective as a tacticallevel tool Discuss Relevant readings Kydd and Walter 2006 Condra et al 2018 Abrahms 2006 Fortna 2015 Krause 2018 4 Based on terrorist targeting readings evaluate the pattern of targeting by a terrorist group Relevant readings Kydd and Walter 2006 Libicki et al 2007 Nemeth et al 2014 Brandt and Sandler 2010 Polo 2019 5 Compared to terrorist targeting by transnational terrorist groups do you expect the pattern of targeting by a terrorist organization focused on domestic terrorism to be different Why or why not Relevant readings Kydd and Walter 2006 Libicki et al 2007 Nemeth et al 2014 Brandt and Sandler 2010 Polo 2019 6 Compare and contrast Abrahms 2006 with Fortna 2015 7 Does terrorism work for a terrorist group Discuss Relevant readings Kydd and Walter 2006 Condra et al 2018 Abrahms 2006 Fortna 2015 Krause 2018