how about instead of exams

since we have four lists of fields we need to know, we have a portfolio of the following:
- one syllabus for an undergrad introductory survey course (2 versions: one quarter system, one semester); prepare a lecture that might be used for the first day of class
- one syllabus for a grad seminar course (again, 2 versions);
- one publishable article, to have been submitted somewhere by the oral exam
- one conference presentation, 20 minutes minimum, materials submitted should include abstract, script, other media used for the presentation if any--if the student has trouble placing this talk at any conference, this could be presented at a colloquium of the entire cohort taking exams that year

We should be free to determine which item will be written for which list, with the professor advising us on the list advising us on the process

I mean, the bloody English department has a portfolio system so I don't see why we need to keep doing this stupid exam thing

I'm given to understand that it's supposed to involve "rigor" but reall all it does is piss us the fuck off.