13 Aralık 2017, Çarşamba
saat: 07:33
Let's just hope Alabama race means America hit bottom last November and we're now ready to admit we have a problem and seek treatment.
I just finished grading my World Politics exams. In one section, I asked the following multiple-choice question: "Which system is likely to favor the highest degree of party discipline?"
Out of 18 students, only two got it correct. Despite us having several conversations that were basically answering that question. People just had no idea which electoral system to choose or whether parliamentary or presidential system create a better party discipline. Which means I failed to effectively communicate how we understand party systems in general.
On the other hand, most of them realized something had gone wrong, and wrote notes to this effect on the test. Which means I did convince them to figure out what questions mean, and ask themselves whether their answers make any sense at all.
I also received their reflection essays. It is so rewarding to see how students’ essays improve from one assignment to another: how thought develops, writing style changes; how what was unclear, acquires lucidity, and what was an assurance, is now subject to doubt. It is a never-ending process: by the time we earn our degrees, we are no longer certain of anything (right?). Splendid! (yes?)
