This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'External examiner's report and exam board documents - The Russian Novel 2017/18'.

From:
Sheila Dickson
To:
SMITH Alexandra; Teresa Newman
Cc:
Kirsty Gowling-Afchain
Subject:
RE: Russian Novel and Russian 20C Visual Culture essays
Date:
07 June 2018 09:16:03
Dear Sascha,
Kirsty, Teresa and I would like to thank you very much for your hard work, patience and cooperation
in dealing with the Russian essays and exam scripts last week (and indeed throughout the year!). We
are very grateful that you were able to read the Honours scripts at such short notice and ratify
decisions taken regarding individual marks and range of marks. We also take on board the comments
you made regarding the nature of the exam questions set in the Visual Culture Option, which you
may wish to put in your formal report, and we will address this issue for next year.
With many thanks and best wishes,
Sheila
 
 
Dr Sheila Dickson
Programme Director and Senior Lecturer in German
University of Glasgow
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Room 210a, Hetherington Building
Bute Gardens
Glasgow G12 8RS
Direct Line: +44 141 330 6362
Fax: +44 141 330 3381
Email: xxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx.xx
The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004411
From: SMITH Alexandra 
Sent: 30 May 2018 16:39
To: Teresa Newman
Cc: Sheila Dickson; Kirsty Gowling-Afchain
Subject: Re: Russian Novel and Russian 20C Visual Culture essays
Dear Teresa,
I've read a few essays on the Russian novel from the batch that was sent to me
,
,
 The marking seems fair and consistent. The comments look helpful and
informative. The spread of marks that you've sent me appears to be fine, too.  The number
of A grades is a bit high but this might be explained by the fact that there is a considerable
amount of high-quality scholarly works on the novels discussed in the essays. Certainly,
Russian art is studied less that Russian literature, especially the novels discussed in the
essay that appear to be canonical nowadays. 
. I will go to the station straight
away to catch my train. Hopefully, I could be in Glasgow around 3 pm. Would you like me
to come to your office as soon as I arrive in Glasgow? 
All the best,
Alexandra

From: Teresa Newman <xxxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx.xx>
Sent: 29 May 2018 16:41
To: SMITH Alexandra
Cc: Sheila Dickson; Kirsty Gowling-Afchain
Subject: Russian Novel and Russian 20C Visual Culture essays
 
Email from Dr Sheila Dickson, Learning and Teaching Convenor
 
Dear Alexandra
 
Please find attached marked essays for the two Honours Options, The Russian Novel and Visual
Culture.
 
The marks awarded by the first and second markers were very high and resulted in most of the
cohort being given an A grade. Kirsty Gowling-Afchain, who is our Assessment Officer, and I, as new
Learning and Teaching Convenor, replacing 
, had a look firstly at the spread of marks,
then at individual feedback sheets. We feel that the feedback given to individual students by the first
marker indicates lower marks than those awarded, and we have therefore suggested bringing down
all essay marks by 3. We feel that this is a more realistic set of results and more in line with marks
awarded in other Options in the School.
 
I have revisited all feedback sheets for The Russian Novel and adapted them slightly to reflect the
new grade (changing 'very good' essay, which designates a B, to 'good essay', where that B has
become a C).
 
For Visual Culture I have not had a chance to do this, so the essay marks and feedback you are
receiving are those awarded initially by colleagues in Russian. As indicated above, our suggestion is
to lower them all by 3.  The feedback will be adapted slightly to reflect the new grade (as with the
Russian Novel essays) before it is returned to students.
 
We have also looked at the spread of marks for Visual Culture exam scripts for S1, and for the same
reasons we would propose bringing them all down by 1 mark. Overall, this produces a spread of
marks from A-C that we would expect in a group of this size.
 
We would be very grateful if you could have a look at the essays with this in mind. We would then
discuss the matter with you in person on Thursday afternoon.
 
Please do get in touch if you have any questions.
 
I look forward to meeting you on Thursday.
 
Best wishes,
 
Dr Sheila Dickson
Programme Director and Senior Lecturer in German
University of Glasgow
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Room 210a, Hetherington Building
Bute Gardens
Glasgow G12 8RS
Direct Line: +44 141 330 6362
Fax: +44 141 330 3381
Email: xxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xx.xx
The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004411