FC305 Contemporary Global Issues

Key details:

Assessment title:

Written Assessment (individual): Discursive essay

Module Name:

Contemporary Global Issues

Module Code:

FC305

Tutor’s Name:

Teaching Team

Assessment will be set on:

W2-5

Feedback opportunities:

Formative essay feedback in first week of Cycle 3 in January

Assessment is due on:

19/02/24 at 9.00am (UK time)

Assessment weighting:

55%

Assessment Instructions

What do you need to do for this assessment?

You are required to write a discursive essay for an academic audience. Your argument should be balanced, representing different views and it should be supported by research. The essay should summarise a contemporary issue and its impact on 21st century society, which is evaluated from different viewpoints with reference to appropriate sources. The aim of this essay is to demonstrate your understanding and ability to evaluate the key considerations relating to a contemporary issue.

You should choose ONE of the following essay topics:

· Evaluate the view that globalisation is a form of cultural imperialism.

· Discuss whether it is better to be pessimistic or optimistic about the ongoing changes in population.

Structure:

Overall word count 1000 – 1500

Suggested structure (NB. Section word counts are for guidance only):

Introduction (150-300 words)

· state why the topic is important

· Briefly define key ideas

· outline the essay’s approach to the topic

· outline different views presented

Main body (650-900 words)

· key points supported by facts/evidence/examples

· cite relevant support sources

· present, synthesise & evaluate different viewpoints

The conclusion (200-300 words)

· summarise main points

· draw logical conclusion(s)

Theory and/or task resources required for the assessment:

You must conduct secondary research for this assessment finding relevant sources independently. In support of this task, Week 7 will provide advice on using academic articles and correctly referencing. In Weeks 8 and 9, there will be an opportunity to work with your tutor during the Writing Workshops. These sessions will mainly give an opportunity for you to develop and revise draft article on the given topic area.

Referencing style:

You should refer to a minimum of 8 relevant sources for your essay.  Minimum 4 sources should be academic sources. You must include a Harvard style reference list at the end of your essay.  A full bibliography is NOT required.

Expected word count:

You are expected to write between 1000 and 1500 words, following the specific structure outlined above.

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

· Utilise various sources (e.g. social media, journals, film/documentaries, newspapers, broadcast media, etc.) to identify key contemporary issues, key information and viewpoints about them

· Write an appropriately structured text in which a contemporary issue is summarised and its impact on 21st century society is evaluated from different viewpoints, with reference to appropriate sources

Submission Requirements:

You must include the following paragraph on your title page:

I confirm that this assignment is my own work.

Where I have referred to academic sources, I have provided in-text citations and included the sources in the final reference list.

How to avoid academic misconduct

You should follow academic conventions and regulations when completing your assessed work. If there is evidence that you have done any of the following, whether intentionally or not, you risk getting a zero mark:

Plagiarism & poor scholarship

· stealing ideas or work from another person (experts or students)

· using quotations from sources without paraphrasing and using citations

Collusion

· working together with someone else on an individual assessment, e.g., your work is corrected, rephrased or added to by another (both parties would be guilty)

Buying or commissioning work

· submitting work as your own that someone else produced (whether you paid for it or not)

Cheating

· copying the work of another student

· using resources or aids that are not permitted for the assessment

Fabrication

· submitting work, e.g., laboratory work, which is partly or completely made up. This includes claiming that work was done by yourself alone when it was actually done by a group

Personation

· claiming to be another student and taking an assessment instead of them (both parties guilty)

Specific formatting instructions:

You must type your assessment in Arial font 11, with single spacing.

You must submit the assessment electronically via the VLE module page.  Please ensure you submit it via Turnitin.

Assessments submitted after the submission deadline may incur penalties or may not be accepted.

How will this assessment be marked?

You will receive a mark for each of these categories:

· Knowledge & Understanding (30%)

(The breadth and depth of the points you make)

· Analysis & Evaluation (30%)

(How well you analyse and evaluate all the issues you mention)

· Academic Integrity (20%)

(How correctly you use academic conventions, e.g. citations, references, quotations and paraphrase; whether data/facts presented are genuine and accurate)

· Academic Skills (20%)

(How well you communicate your ideas; the tone and accuracy of your language)

Your overall mark will be calculated as the weighted average of the four and will be reported as a percentage.

How will you get feedback?

In addition to feedback on your formative draft, your tutor will mark the assessment and provide you with a written feedback.  You can use this feedback to guide your further learning on the module.