Exam Review

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Course requirements

M = male student      F = female lecturer

M:    Hello can I come in?

F:    Oh yes, come in. How can I help you?

M:    I was looking for the Economics office. I’ve been all over the Arts Faculty building looking for it but I could only find the School of Accounting and Economic History. Is this the right place?

F:    Yes this is the School of Economics.

M:    Oh good. Um, I’m a new student and I was wondering if someone could give me some information.

F:    Well I might be able to help. I lecture on that program. What do you need to Know?

M:    Quite a few things, actually. Firstly, how many lectures a week do I have to Attend?

F:    Ah, well, the Economics I course is a double unit so there are two lectures a week and one tutorial. The lectures are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday.

M:    What time?

F:    Let me see ... You know this information is all in the handout, which you should have received yesterday at. the orientation meeting.

M:    Oh, was there a meeting yesterday? I didn’t know about that ... no one mentioned ...

F:    Yes, there was, but never mind. Now lectures are at four m the afternoon.

M:    Four’s a bit late. I’ve got a part time job that starts at four thirty.

F:    Well, you can’t be in two places at once, can you, and attendance at lectures is necessary. We expect at least 90% attendance at this university you know.

M:    90%! That’s high. Do they enforce that rule?

F:    Yes, we do. We’re pretty strict about it actually.

M:    And what times have been set down for the tutorials — do you have that Information?

F:    That’s a very well attended course so there’s a number of tutorial times. Monday. Wednesday and Friday, all at 9 o’clock. Yours will be allocated at the first lecture.

M:    Can’t I choose the time?

F:    Maybe. maybe not.. You’ll have to talk to the lecturer on the course. Dr. Roberts is his name.

M:    Oh. OK.

F:    Anything else I can help you with while you’re here?

M:    Well. yes. actually. Do you know what the course requirements are? I mean, how much work is expected for this course?

F:    Well. you have to complete a tutorial paper.

M:    What does that involve?

F:    Well. it’s a piece of work on a given topic based on some set reading texts. You’ll have to give a small talk to your tutorial group ... 

M:    How long does that have to be?

F:    Oh. about 25 minutes usually.

M:    I have to talk for 25 minutes?

F:    Yes. that’s right. And then you have to write up your piece    of work    and give it to the lecturer to be marked.

M:    Right. And is that all?

F:    No. You also have to complete a 3.000 word essay on a topic.

M:    Can I choose the topic?

F:    Yes. usually you can. 

M:    Right. That shouldn’t be too bad.

F:    And in addition to that there is an exam.

M:    An exam! What sort of exam?

F:    Well. it’s an open book exam. 

M:    Does that mean I can have the text book with me during the exam?

F:    Yes. that’s right.

M:    And can you give me any idea about the content of the first year of Economics so that I can get into some reading?

F:    Well. you’ll be getting the reading list next week when lectures start. All the books are in the library.

M:    Yes. but won’t everyone else take them out as soon as they get the reading list too?

F:    Well. yes. they might. But most of the important ones are held in Closed Reserve ... that’s a part of the library where you can go to read books but you can’t take them out of the building.

M:    What did you call that section of the library?

F:    Closed Reserve. However. we do recommend that you buy the core books. You’ll find them useful and you’ll need them for the exam.

M:    Yes. I suppose I will. But what is the focus of the course?

F:    Well. the course at this university has a vocational focus. that is a focus on preparing its graduates for work. so we’re orientated very much towards employment.

M:    So my chances of getting a job are good?

F:    Well. provided you get good results.

M:    Well look thanks for your time. You’ve been really helpful.

F:    That’s fine. See you next week then.