Q: I memorized the entire book and can recite it verbatim.  Why did I fail the exam?  What do you mean by learning the material?

A: Memorizing definitions is not sufficient to pass the class or the tests.  The emphasis is on how and why.  What use is it to memorize the definition of regime, for example?   Webster says: a social system or pattern.  Now try to memorize it.  By memorizing did you learn what a regime is?  Would you know a regime if you saw it in real life?  NOPE.  Better to ask, how and why are they formed?  How do they function?  Do they address problems adequately in some areas but not others?

Q: What is this idea of linking concepts you have?

A: Concepts do not occur in a vacuum, there are often relational.  They may be related to another concept in some historical time and that relationship may have changed over time.  Social phenomena is complex and relational approach to concepts allows the students to have a more complex and dynamic idea about the world.  For example, let us take the concept of Federalism and Nationalism in US politics.  We know that federalism has changed over the years from dual to cooperative to coercive and then to New Federalism.  Federalism is contingent on a historical context.  Now look at nationalism and its development over time in the US.  In 1800, the sense of a "United States" as a manifestation of nationalism was "weak" so Dual federalism squared with it.  But over time, a stronger sense of nation developed and justified "cooperative federalism".  So in other words, federalism has a relational link to nationalism.  Memorizing the definition will not make these points obvious.  Instead, think of concepts in a relational and historical sense.

Q:  How should I study for your tests?

A.: Strive for understanding not memorization.  There is a huge difference.  As you look at the notes I post on the web, the review sheets, and attend class, ask yourself "what is he saying here?"  What is the point he is driving at.  When you get it, jot it down in addition to your other notes.   When you go home, you should rewrite your notes.  Do not take down everything I say, especially my jokes.  You should have about one page of notes each 50 minute class period.  If you have not done the readings for understanding, you will have a difficult time.

Q. Other tips for studying?

A.  Be able to answer all the questions on the review sheet.  Look at it like you are telling a story for each question, in terms of the 'How' and the 'Why'.  That will make you realize that most of the questions on the review sheets are in fact relational and the web of connections will become more clear.
 

Q.  What is the deal with grades?

A.  Grades are an imperfect measure of performance based on instruments called tests, papers, and quizzes that can only approximately measure your learning.  That is why I build in a degree of flexibility in my grading.  By the way, if you learn how to learn, you will discover that your grades will naturally rise.  Always ask the how? the why? and how are these related?
 

Q. But I just want the piece of paper, the diploma.

A:  Why?  To get a "high paying job"?  When you learn to think and to liberate your mind by being able to figure out how things work, you will have a diploma and a high paying job.  So why not do it correctly and stop obsessing over grades?  If your sole goal is a high paying job, there are other honorable ways to do it instead of torturing yourself through college.