Grading Table:

A (94-100); A- (90-93); B+ (86-89); B (83-85); B- (79-82); C+ (76-78); C (73-75) C- (69-72); D+ (66-68); D (63-65); D- (60-62); F (0-60)

Examinations

There will be two quizzes and a final exam, which includes the contents of the whole course. Exams will cover material from the corresponding learning units. 

Both quizzes consist of 5 true/false and 5 multiple choice questions (each worth 5 points) and 2 short essay questions (each worth 25 points). The final exam will have a different format: Only 5 short essay questions. You can perfectly answer each essay question in quizzes and final exam in around 250-300 words.

You will have 90 minutes available for both quizzes and 3 hours for the final exam. Exams will be available the whole day (24 hours) in the corresponding folder in Blackboard Learn.

Please, be aware that time starts running when you begin the assessment.

PLEASE, DO NOT USE ANY QUOTE IN YOUR ANSWERS. THE GOAL OF OPEN ENDED OR ESSAY QUESTIONS IS TO FIND OUT TO WHICH EXTENT YOU UNDERSTOOD THE IDEAS AND CONCEPTS DISCUSSED IN THE COURSE AND ARE ABLE TO EXPRESS/ARTICULATE THEM WITH YOUR OWN WORDS.

Case Study Paper/ Presentation

The case study consists of two related assignments: a video presentation and a case study paper.

1. Select a Topic: Choose a topic that connects to two learning units. In the unit on Populism, you might examine a contemporary case of systemic political corruption, as described by Francis Fukuyama, or explore populist politicians by considering themes like anti-establishment attitudes or the belief in popular sovereignty. The second unit covers News Bias, Polarization, and Misinformation, where you can analyze a contemporary case that highlights various types of news bias, the media’s role in political polarization, or misinformation’s societal impact.

2. Assignments Overview:

• Video Presentation: Create a 5-8 minute video summarizing your findings. You can find instructions on how to convert a PowerPoint presentation into a video by following the provided link.

• Case Study Paper: Develop a 10-page paper (double-spaced, Times New Roman size 12) based on your video presentation findings, adhering to the specified structure.

3. Assignments Structure and Evaluation

3.1 The video presentation should follow the following structure:

• Introduction: Present the theory(ies), author(s), or concept(s) that form the foundation of your case. (25%)
• Description of the Case: Provide a clear description of the case you are analyzing. (25%)
• Discussion: Explain how the case illustrates the chosen theory, author, or concept. (40%)
• Open Questions: Pose open question(s) for class discussion. (10%)

Make sure to allocate your time and content according to these percentages.

3.2 The case study paper follows a similar structure but includes a formal conclusion that summarizes the findings of the research and your interpretation:

• Theory or Concept: Describe the theory or concept that your case study is based on. (10%)
• Case Description: Detail the specific instance you are studying. (10%)
• Discussion: Explain why your case exemplifies the chosen theory or concept. (35%)
• Conclusions: Summarize your findings and interpretations. (35%)
• Ensure that your paper follows APA style guidelines. (10%) 

It should be written on 10 pages (double-spaced, Times New Roman size 12). Papers must be submitted online through the submission page in BL. Submissions via email will not be accepted. Please attach your paper as a PDF or Microsoft Word document. If you use any other format, I may not be able to open it.

Participation

Your participation grade will be based on your activity in the discussion forums. Here’s how it works:

• I’ll choose the most interesting video presentations for discussion.
• Make sure to read your classmates’ entries and post your own comments.
• Let’s aim to make these forums as interactive as possible, just like our in-class discussions! Your engagement is key