The midterm examinations for all classes (POLSC 14, 151, and 160) were structured this way: one required question, worth 40 points; and five to seven optional questions, where students can choose two questions only, worth 30 points each.
The required question, in my opinion, seeks to measure the basic knowledge of the student in terms of the theoretical foundations of the course. For POLSC 14, I asked the dominant frameworks in understanding Philippine politics. For POLSC 160, I asked about the three main models in political sociology (elitism, pluralism, and Marxism). A different approach was used for POLSC 151. I did not ask about the theories in studying the presidency. For one, the theories discussed in class were lifted from American studies on their president. Instead, I focused on the roles of the Philippine president according to key Filipino scholars (though they lifted their ideas from a foreign scholar).
The optional questions provide the students the choice on which questions they can answer. While the choice is limited, they are free to answer questions where they feel more confident in. This is not necessarily a give away section. The same rigour and standards are applied in checking the essay answers. This part recognises that students are more interested in one topic over the other. Given that, they are tested according to what they think is their strength.
Answering a question does not automatically mean it will receive points. It is always dependent on what the student will say, discuss, or explain in the essays.
Studying Politics 