Further Enquiries:

International Studies
School of History & Politics
Napier Building 423
The University of Adelaide
SA 5005 AUSTRALIA

Undergraduate Program
Telephone: +61 8 8303 5699
Facsimile: +61 8 8303 3443
Email

Graduate Program
Telephone: +61 8 8303 3749
Facsimile: +61 8 8303 3443
Email

Assessment

Nature of assessment
Because this is an advanced qualification, written work is generally in the form of a single major research essay that is 8,000 words in length. The essays and thesis are marked by two examiners, with the overall mark being an aggregated one. Should there be a major discrepancy in marks (for example, marks which are not in the same class, or with a difference of over seven between them when in that class), a third - and adjudicating - examiner will be invited to read the work.

Essays should be submitted in duplicate, while MA theses should be fully bound and submitted in triplicate (one of these copies on acid-free paper) - the University Library retains two copies [including the copy on acid-free paper], while the School keeps one for its own thesis library, which may be consulted by students and researchers. The Program Director or the School Office can supply further advice on submission of work.

Guide to Assessment

	Fail 0 - 49%	Pass 50 - 64%	Credit 65 - 74%	Distinction 75 - 84%	High Distinction 85+
General Description	Fails to satisfy the minimum requirements	Satisfies the minimum requirements	Demonstrates a high level of understanding and presentation and a degree of originality and insight	A very high standard of work which demonstrates originality and insight	Outstanding or exceptional work in terms of understanding, interpretation and presentation
Reading	Very little evidence of having read any of the core texts and materials	Evidence of having read core texts and materials	Thorough understanding of core texts and materials	Evidence of reading beyond core texts and materials	Strong evidence of independent reading beyond core texts and materials
Knowledge of Topic	Scant knowledge of principles and concepts	Knowledge of principles and concepts at least adequate to communicate intelligently in the topic and to serve as a basis for further study	Sound knowledge of principles and concepts	Evidence of an understanding of deeper and more subtle aspects of the topic	Demonstrates insight, awareness and understanding of deeper and more subtle aspects of the topic. Ability to consider topic in the broader context of the discipline
Articulation of argument	No evidence of ability to construct coherent argument	Sound argument based on evidence	Well-reasoned argument based on broad evidence	Evidence of imagination and flair. Evidence of originality and independent thought	Demonstrates imagination or flair. Demonstrates originality and independent thought
Analytical and evaluative skill	No evidence of analytical and evaluative skills	Some evidence of analytical and evaluative skills	Evidence of analytic and evaluative skills	Clear evidence of analytical and evaluative skills	Highly developed analytical and evaluative skills
Problem solving	No evidence of problem-solving skills	Adequate problem-solving skills	Ability to use and apply fundamental concepts and skills	Ability to solve non-routine questions	Ability to solve very challenging problems
Expression and presentation appropriate to the discipline	Rudimentary skills in expression and presentation	Adequate skills in expression and presentation	Good skills in expression and presentation	Well developed skills in expression and presentation	Highly developed skills in expression and presentation