Calculating your mark…The exam is worth 60% of the module. The pass mark for the module is 40%

Essay Mark Exam mark - To pass (40%)

Exam mark -To get a 2:2 (50%)

Exam mark- To get a 2:1 (60%)

Exam mark -To get a 1st (70%)

50 34 50 67 84

55 30 47 64 80

60 27 44 60 77

65 24 40 57 74

70 20 37 54 70

75 17 34 50 67

All questions are within the boundary of what has been required of you in this module:• Attend all lectures• Participate in all seminars• Do all required reading• Participate in the Okinawa debate

… So what should I be looking at for revision?

Exam Prep 1: What do I need to know?

Areas for revision should reflect the requirements of the module as a minimum:• Attend all lectures Understand the content of all the

lectures• Participate in all seminars Be able to answer all seminar

questions, use seminar slides to fill in gaps in knowledge• Do all required reading Have read the required reading for

each week• Participate in the Okinawa debate Have done all the

research asked of you in the ‘Okinawa debate’ document on MOLE

Exam Prep 1: Areas for revision

The following are also recommended but are not essential:• Additional readings for each module found in the course

handbook• Pursue further research around the topics, e.g what is

happening now?• Practise using the past exam questions on MOLE and the

sample exam paper in the handbook / create model answers

• Practice using the seminar questions / create model answers

Exam Prep 1: Areas for revision

• The exam is three hours long• There are nine questions, split into three sections• You must answer one question from each section

SECTION A: contains three questions relating to Week 1-3. You must answer one question from this section

SECTION B: contains three questions relating to Week 4-6. You must answer one question from this section

SECTION C: contains three questions relating to Week 7-10. You must answer one question from this section

Exam Prep 1: Exam format

Exam Prep 2: Answering the exam questions: Planning

• When making a plan, you may find it useful to underline the key words in the question, or to break down the main question into sub-questions.

For example:In the post-Occupation period, Japan has played an indirect role in contributing to security in East Asia through the US-Japan security treaty. What norms help to explain the policies adopted? Illustrate your answer with examples.

Stay on topic!Time period: Post- occupationPol/Sec/Econ: SecurityArea: East Asia

Subquestions:1. How has Japan played an indirect role in contributing to security in East Asia?2. What is the role of the US-Japan security treaty in this?3. What policies have been adopted?4. What norms can help explain these policies?5. What examples can I give?

• In your introduction show how you understand the question (e.g. paraphrase) and outline how you will answer it

• Make one point, subpoint or argument per paragraph, give evidence/examples and summarise to show how it answers the question

• Shortish paragraphs with one or two pieces of evidence are sufficient• In your conclusion summarise the arguments you have made to show

that you have answered the question

• Don’t provide too much background, too much description, or other things that the question hasn’t asked for… You have limited time so keep a narrow focus and stay on topic.

Exam Prep 2: Answering the exam questions: Writing your answer

Exam Prep 2: What is the marker looking for?

As well as you demonstrating that you have answered the question, the exam tests that you have met the learning outcomes of the module:

1) demonstrate knowledge of Japan's role in the world in the three dimensions of politics, economics and security in two key sites of international activity, the United States and East Asia

2) Apply conceptual tools to analyse how structure, agency and norms can be used to explain Japan's international relations

3) Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills, including the ability to evaluate social scientific concepts and theories

4) Employ primary and secondary sources to present reasoned and effective arguments in written (and oral) form

5) Pursue independent learning 6) Show critical judgement

For the best exam marks, you should demonstrate your ability to do all of these in your answers

1) demonstrate knowledge of Japan's role in the world in the three dimensions of politics, economics and security in two key sites of international activity, the United States and East Asia Answer each question using the appropriate knowledge

2) Apply conceptual tools to analyse how structure, agency and norms can be used to explain Japan's international relations Use structure, agency in norms in your answers whenever relevant (not just when the question specifically asks you to)

3) Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills, including the ability to evaluate social scientific concepts and theories form solid arguments in your questions, be aware of theories

4) Employ primary and secondary sources to present reasoned and effective arguments in written (and oral) form It is an exam, we don’t expect too many sources… using a couple for each question (e.g. Hook et al. 2012) should be doable, where you can use sources use examples.

5) Pursue independent learning demonstrate through your answer that you have an understanding of the relevant reading and maybe even beyond – what is happening now?

6) Show critical judgement engage with the question, show flexibility of thought

• Remember, we’re looking to see that you understand what has been taught in this module...

- If major aspects we have mentioned in class are missing in a relevant question, it won’t go unnoticed

- The main basis of this module is structure, agency and norms, so remember to use these where appropriate

Exam Prep 3: Expectations• Introduction

– Grasp of the question– Clear outline of scope of the essay

• Structure/Organization– Coherence– Development of logical argument– Arrangement of ideas

• Conclusion– Well-defined & recap of the important points made.– Summary of analysis

Exam Prep 3: Expectations

• Use of relevant evidence– Its an exam – don’t panic.– Use of a couple of sources for a few statements if possible

• Critical analysis and originality– Creative approach imagination and flexibility of thought– Critical engagement

• Prose/Grammar/Spelling/Syntax– Clear and effective use of English

Exam Prep 3: Outstanding answers also do this

1. Shows clear evidence of engagement with issues and understanding of relevant reading

2. Develops a sophisticated and robust argument

3. Shows excellent use and understanding of relevant source materials (factual detail and theoretical issues where necessary)

Recap - What is the question asking/narrowing your focus

• When making a plan, you may find it useful to underline the key words in the question, or to break down the main question into sub-questions.

For example:In the post-Occupation period, Japan has played an indirect role in contributing to security in East Asia through the US-Japan security treaty. What norms help to explain the policies adopted? Illustrate your answer with examples.

Stay on topic!Time period: Post- occupationPol/Sec/Econ: SecurityArea: East Asia

Subquestions:1. How has Japan played an indirect role in contributing to security in East Asia?2. What is the role of the US-Japan security treaty in this?3. What policies have been adopted?4. What norms can help explain these policies?5. What examples can I give?

Practical activity 1: Breaking down the question

Using your chosen question:1. Underline the key words or phrases2. Identify the narrow focus (e.g. time period,

politics/security/economy, geographical area etc)

3. Write down the sub-questions that you need to answer in order to fully address the question

Practical activity 1: Breaking down the question

Outcomes• Fully answering the question• Staying on topic• Narrowing focus• Starting to make a plan• Confidence!

You might not actually go through this process in writing in the exam, but these are things that you should think about.

Practical activity 2: Making a plan

Thinking about the previous activity:1.• Identify how you can answer the subquestions• Identify your key arguments/points• What examples (and sources) can you use?

2. Make a mini-plan which puts these in order

Practical activity 2: Making a plan

Outcomes:• Getting your ideas out of your head and onto the paper• Knowing how you will proceed with answering the

question• Having a better idea of structure• Developing a logical argument

Not everyone uses a plan in the exam, it is up to you whether to do so. Remember to cross it through once you are finished!

Practical activity 3: Writing an introduction

Write a short introduction, including the following:1. Show that you understand the question (e.g.

paraphrase it)2. Give us some sense of why the question is

important (this could be a brief description of context)

3. Outline briefly how you will proceed with answering the question

Practical activity 3: Writing an introduction

Outcomes:• Awareness of what we’re looking for in an

introduction• Showing us that you understand the question• Guiding us to what to expect from you answer

All exam questions should have a short introduction. However, don’t spend too long on it, 5 minutes is more than enough

Practical activity 4: structuring a paragraph

Pick one of your arguments and construct a main body paragraph including the following:1. Make one or two points (and/or subpoints)2. Give evidence/examples3. Summarise to show how it answers the

question

Practical activity 4: constructing a main body paragraph

Outcomes:• Keeping your argument clear and concise• Showing use of evidence• Showing critical engagement• Developing a logical argument• Being on topic/answering the question

Don’t let paragraphs get too long or contain too many points, and keep them relevant to the question

Practical activity 5: Conclusion

Write a short conclusion. This should:1. Summarise your key arguments2. Show that you answered the question

Outcomes:• Demonstrating that you answered the question• Concluding your answer neatly

Be careful not to introduce new information in your conclusion –this is better explored in the main body of your essayDon’t worry to much if you don’t have time to write a conclusion, even a couple of sentences will suffice.

Practical activity 5: Conclusion

Good luck!