The midterm exam will cover all the materials in units 1-8 of the course. You must earn a grade of at least 90/150 on the midterm to pass the course. If you fail to achieve that grade, then you will fail the course. You may not take a required midterm or final exam late. The map portion of the exam will be automatically graded by Canvas as soon as you complete the exam. Your instructor will then log in and grade the remaining portions of the exam.
The midterm will consist of four parts: map quiz (25 points); five identification questions (25 points); surprise question (25 points) and essay (75 points).
For the Map quiz, you already have a copy of the Western Civilization Blank Map and the list of HIS 102 Map Items to be located on the map. On the exam, when you log into Canvas, you will see a blank map with numbers on it, and you will have a list of map locations. You have to choose a map location for each of the numbers on the map. Sometimes the map might look a little complicated or different when displayed in Canvas; do the best that you can. Check some recommended sources for map study.
The identification items will be taken from the Key Terms listed in the units. In a few sentences of about a paragraph length for each historical term, you will be asked to completely identify that term and note its importance.
The surprise question will be taken from the Questions to Consider listed in the units. The surprise question will require about a long paragraph to complete.
See the Example Assignments and Sample Test Items for examples of some good test answers.
The Essay, approximately 400 to 600 words in length, that you will write in the testing lab is as follows.
After reading the excerpt from the Communist Manifesto, briefly explain Marx's view of history. What were his major points? How did he periodize history? Was history linear, progressive, evolving or was it circular? Did it repeat itself? What forces did Marx identify that influenced the course of history? Do you find his ideas to be valid or persuasive? Why was his theory revolutionary at the time? (A copy of the text will be provided for you.)
Please take the time to organize your thoughts in a logical manner and cite evidence to support your analysis. Please be sure to read the short background information and study questions accompanying the Communist Manifesto before you take your exam. You will also want to review the course notes on Marxism.
Directions for Taking the Midterm Exam
Please review the NOVA Online Policies and Procedures for the exams and the information in Canvas (Proctored Exams module) about taking the course exams. You will find your EXAM PASSES in the Canvas Syllabus under the Taking Exams and Exam Passes section.
If you live outside metropolitan Washington or are incarcerated or handicapped, see the information in the general NOVA Online Policies and Procedures for exam proctors.
You are also able to use ProctorU, an online proctoring service, for the exam. See the directions on Canvas in the Proctored Exams module.
Please do not let fear of the exams stop you from completing the course. If you have great difficulty getting to a Testing Center, or are concerned about taking exams, or are worried about something going wrong with Canvas while you are taking your exam, please contact your instructor. We will never penalize you, if there is a Canvas or computer crash while you are taking your exam.
You have 2 hours to complete the exam.
YOU CANNOT ACCESS THE WEB NOR USE YOUR TEXT, NOTES, ELECTRONIC DEVICE OR ANY BOOKS TO TAKE THIS EXAM.