Italian History Midterm

 Midterm Test Overview: This is a 100 minute test worth 100 pts There are two sections: an i.d./Short Answer section and an essay section. You’ll have choices in each section. Test is on Blackboard; open notes / open texts / reference (copy/paste = 60% credit) Short Answer 40 pts – You’ll see 12 choices. Choose just 4 (four) 4 @ 10 points each = 40 pts Short answer topics taken from our briefingslist, class discussions, or course readings (e.g., Etruscan Dodecapolis, Hannibal, “Oath of Brutus,“ Battle of Legnano, Santa Maria del Fiore, or Treaty of Brétigny) Essay 60 pts — You’ll see 6 choices. Choose just 2 (Two)! 30 points each = 60 pts (Essay questions will focus on our required readings and class discussions) Test instructions: Choose just 4 (Four) i.d./Short answer items. Leave the others. (Do NOT worry about points). They get sorted out in the scoring. Each item is worth 10 points. Rubric – 2 categories: • i.d. – 3 points • Signif – 7 points Short answer Grading: 3 points for i.d.; 7 pts for significance. It’s usually possible to write a good i.d./significance in 75 – 100 words, sometimes less A good i.d. will locate your item in time and space so that it cannot be something else. Precise dates sometimes help, but not always A good significance statement will connect to (“touch”) course themes and other points in a concept map for the history of Italy. The “Battle of Legnano,” for example might be said to have significance for the communes of the 12th century and it might also be said to have significance as a propaganda point during the 19th-century Risorgimento and the era of Italian Unification. A strong statement of significance would “touch on” both those points. For the essay, remember that we’re using “positive” grading. Throwing in a lot of detail — even if true — may not help your score. Focus on what the questions actually asks. Then, develop a thesis. It’s ok if you do not agree with our readings or with me. What counts is how well you tie your material to your thesis. Essay Grading Rubric – 3 categories: • Responsive to the question –10 pts • Complete and accurate — 10 pts • Facility – structure, logic, language, etc – 10 pts