Every INTERNAL student should make a brief talk  - tutorial presentation - on one topic that is set for a particular week (see lecture topics in the weekly schedule). The students select which topic they want to talk about. The talk, not exceeding 10 minutes, should introduce the topic to the other students in a coherent and informative manner. 

Each student should write a essay of maximum 900 words (3 typed pages) reviewing two items (chapters or excerpts) on the required reading list.  The students should select by themself which two items they want to review. These two items should be related in their topics allowing the student to compare and contrast the views expressed in the reading items. The student paper should summarize, briefly, the main points of each reading item and compare (if necessary contrast) the views or arguments propounded in the items.  References should be kept to a minimum (2-3 references using the Harvard (in text) reference system).

The essay writing guide posted on the iLearn page should be followed in writing this paper.

This is an early assesment of the student's progress in the unit. If you do not pass, this unit you would be recommended to withdraw from the unit - you would be notified of  your failure before the Census date. This assessment tests your basic skills in  (a) research (finding comparable texts)) (b) scholarly text comprehension and (c)  writing essays on a chosen topic. At level 300 you are supposed to have more than basic skills of these three kinds, so it is understandable that you cannot continue in this unit without these basic skills.

The paper should be delivered as an electronic attachment to the unit convenor.

Students will choose  two  attempts at secession  (not Montenegro nor Chechnya nor the Palestine State) and compare and contrast the political contexts/processes in these two,  using sources other than those in the required readings. If in doubt whether your cases are secessions, contact the convenor. You may also apply one normative theory to these two cases and argue that these secessions are justified or not justified by that particular normative theory. Normative assessment is optional; you do not have to do it to get a high mark. But  you should be careful to normatively assess a secession only on an explicit basis - by referrring to a particular normative theory. You should avoid implicit ("common sense") normative assessment which is not based on a theory. 

Not to exceed 2000 words, excluding the bibliography, but including footnotes or endnotes. Harvard (in text) referencing system.

An essay writing guide is posted on iLearn page and it should be followed strictly (note: You need to back your statements by reference to scholarly sources and not propaganda for or against a secession attempt  whether posted on the web or printed. In general, internet sources on the subject are mostly propaganda)
The Criteria for Marking are posted there as well.
The essay should be submitted in hard copy  and dropped into the essay boxes for Politics and IR  ocated  in the W6A foyer by 5 pm on the day of submission; or for external students through the Centre for Open Education (the Centre allows for electronic submission).

The test aims to assess the comprehension of basic concepts, theories and case studies discussed in the course.   It is based entirely on the required readings and lectures.

During one hour students will choose two out of four questions and in response write short essays. Since the test is based on lectures and readings, a simple revision of the student’s notes made during the course will be a sufficient preparation for it. The preceding reading week (Week 12) can be used for that purpose. The amount of information that can be conveyed in one hour is naturally limited and so students do not need to memorize historical narratives or dates.