The Pacific World

History 107-10
Summer 2019
Exam Review Sheet

The midterm (June 20) and final examinations (July 3) will consist of two parts – essay (50% of the total
exam grade) and short answer identification (50% of the total exam grade). On both portions of the
exam, you will have a choice. The exams will be closed book. Please do not bring anything other than
pen(s) to class.

Policy on Academic Integrity: This exam is governed by the Georgetown University Honor System. The
relevant section of the Honor System Guidelines can be found on page 2 of the Honor System handbook:

“Cheating is the use or the attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, study aids, or
other academic exercises. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the professor
concerning what constitutes permissible collaboration. Cheating or assisting another student to
cheat in connection with an examination or assignment is academic fraud.”

Using materials other than writing instruments during the exam, or sharing specific answers before,
during, or after the exam, will be considered cheating. Any student found to be in violation of the
Georgetown Honor System by the Georgetown Honor Council will fail the exam. Egregious violations
(resulting in suspension or dismissal) also will result in failure of the course.

Essay Questions
Your exam essays must be as specific as possible. They should include both thoughtful analysis and
historically concrete and specific examples to back your arguments. Vague generalizations are not
acceptable: wherever possible, refer to specific dates, individuals, events, places, and decisions to support
your answer. Try to integrate as much material from this class (readings, lectures, and discussions) as
possible. The goal is to demonstrate your mastery over the material covered thus far. I am more
interested in receiving well-composed and to-the-point answers than I am in lengthy and meandering
essays. Please plan the length, content, and structure of your answers accordingly.

Your essay must be directed by an argument and should address all aspects of the question. It is essential
that your essay has a strong first paragraph with a clear thesis statement. If you are not clear what your
thesis is, try completing the sentence, “In my essay, I will argue…”. This should help you figure out what
you are trying to say.

Identifications
Terms for the identification portion of the exam will be drawn from the termsheets handed out for the
lectures. Your identification should include accurate, specific, and relevant historical details. In order to do
well, you should be able to provide answers to the following questions:
1. Who: regarding an event/doctrine – name person(s), group(s), nation(s) involved; regarding an
individual: position, title, association, etc.
2. When: the closer to a specific date/year, the better.
3. Where: in what part of the world did this person live or where did the event take place?
4. What: what, specifically, did person/group/country say/do? What took place? What did the
doctrine involve?
5. Why (this is not the same as “What”): what prompted this concept/event? Why did this
person/group/event arise?
6. Historical Significance (so what?): what was the significance/impact/meaning/consequence of
this event/concept/doctrine/person?
 SAMPLE
Midterm/Final Examination
Directions
1. Read the exam carefully and make sure you understand the questions. The best responses are factually
accurate, respond specifically to the question asked, include all relevant information, and are specific,
clear, precise, concrete, and well organized.

2. Write legibly; use a pen.

3. Use one bluebook for the ID portion of the exam; use a separate one for the essay section. Be certain
to put your name on both bluebooks.

4. If you are uncertain about the spelling of a name/event/etc., be sure to include language making it
clear to whom/what you are referring.

5. Do not cross-reference your answers (i.e., do not write, “see essay” or “see ID #3”)

5. This is a CLOSED BOOK exam. You should have nothing with you except writing implements. This exam
is governed by the Georgetown University Honor System and by the rules for permissible collaboration as
outlined on the study guide. Anyone found by the Georgetown Honor Council to have used unauthorized
materials, information, study aids or unauthorized collaboration on this exam will receive an “F” (0.00) on
this exam. Egregious acts of cheating (those resulting in suspension or expulsion) will result in an “F” for
the course as well.

Section I: Identification (50% of the total exam grade)

Please identify and state the historical significance for FIVE of the following terms.

Remember that you must both identify the name, term, event, or place and identify its historical
significance. To “explain significance” means to state why this person, place, institution, treaty, or event
was important within the context of Pacific world history. This importance may be found in the cause of
the event, the ultimate effect of the event, the actions of the person, or in what the person/place/thing
tells us (as a proxy) about the broader context they/it was situated in. Your identification should include
accurate, specific, and relevant historical details such as important dates, names, treaties, places, etc.

1.
.
.
10.

Section II: Essay (50% of the total exam grade)

Write an essay on ONE of the following questions. Take some time to organize your thoughts. Your essay
must be directed by an argument, include thoughtful analysis, address all aspects of the question, and
must use specific and relevant examples and concrete historical details to illustrate the thesis. Vague
generalizations are not acceptable; wherever possible, refer to specific dates, individuals, events,
places, and decisions to support your answer. In answering these questions, you are expected to
synthesize material from all relevant lectures, course readings, and discussions.

It is essential that your essay have a strong first paragraph with a clear thesis statement. If you are not
clear what your thesis is, try completing the sentence, “In my essay, I will argue…” This should help you
state clearly what the main point of your response.

1.

2.
2