Return-Path: sendmail 8.6.4/UCSD-2.2-sun Mon, 6 Dec 1993 09:28:47 -0800 for socgrad-list Mon, 6 Dec 1993 09:28:45 -0800 for Date: Mon, 06 Dec 93 12:27 EST To: socgrad@UCSD.EDU From: PATTYO%IRISHMVS.CC.ND.EDU@UICVM.UIC.EDU Subject: prelims/area exams At Notre Dame, we also have 2 eight hour memory exams. They are designed slightly differently, though. You get to choose any 2 areas of interest, so long as the department can come up with 3 faculty members to serve on the committee. For instance, my two exams were in Criminology/Criminal Justice and Research Methods/ Statistics. Although we have no idea the questions until the exam takes place, we do have access to previous exams, which is helpful in guiding studying. These "area exams" are currently under scrutiny by the department. Typically, these exams are taken in the third year of study. You are not supposed to be able to take them until you've completed your master's thesis, and you're supposed to pass them before you can defend your proposal. Of course, there always seems to be exceptions. Also, the policy is that you can fail once (part of all of the exam), but if you fail the second time, you're out. Nothing like a little pressure! I fail to see the benefits of these exams. The only good thing about the exams, in my opinion, is the reading list developed prior to the exam. Also, any outlines or notes made in preparation for the exam are useful. I've pulled lecture notes from these outlines on occassion. But the memorization is ludicrous! We are supposed to memorize all pertinent theories and research in an area to qualify us as "experts." And then we are supposed to write the exam (in 8 hours total) as though we are writing a professional article. How many of us sit down and write a submittable paper in 8 hours from memory! Oh well, I just looked at it as a process, a step toward that great big degree of Ph.D. I'm also interested in hearing what other departments do, as our department is in the process of re-evaluating these exams. At least that's the impression they're giving... Patty O'Donnell