POLS1301 - School of Political Science and International Studies ...

• The Essay should utilise as many references as you think are necessary to answer the question.
Use as much of the assigned reading material for POLS 1301 as possible – eg textbook, Course
Reader, ‘Recommended Readings’ (in this Course Profile) and/or other printed sources obtained
from the library. You may also use a few internet sources. The minimum requirement for the
essay is SIX different readings/sources; these need to be visibly utilised in the body of the
essay and cited in the Reference List. Only two internet source will be counted towards this
minimum requirement. Lecture Outlines will not count towards the minimum requirement.
• Your Essay should have a COVER SHEET that records your name, student number, tutorial time
and the total word count of the Essay (minus the Reference List). You do not need to use an
official School cover sheet although these are available at the School Office (39A-535).
• Completed Essays should be placed in the Assignment box at the School Office, School of Political
Science and International Studies (General Purpose North Building 39A Level 5) by 3pm on
Friday 12 May.
• Students seeking an extension of this deadline must contact the course co-ordinator, Dr Sullivan,
beforehand. Extensions will not normally be granted without documentary evidence (eg a medical
certificate or a letter from a counsellor) of illness or misadventure.
• Students who submit late papers – without an official extension – will be penalised by the
deduction of one and half marks (out of a total of 30 marks available for the essay) for each
working day the essay is overdue.
Marking Criteria – Essay
The essay is worth 30% of your grade for POLS1301. Thirty marks will be assigned according to the
following criteria:
1. Research (10 marks)
• A minimum of SIX different and appropriate sources (books, chapters, journal articles or internet
sites) cited in the reference list or bibliography and visibly utilised in the body of the essay; no
more than 2 internet sites to count (4 marks; ½ mark for each source).
• Evidence of a deep understanding of the field and of the essay topic, thorough research and wide
reading. This will be evident in the use of more than the minimum number of sources and in the
application of good judgement in the selection of sources; students should particularly look to
additional sources listed in the Course Profile and/or included in the Course Reader (6 marks
available)
2. Presentation and Substantiation of Argument (15 marks)
• The introduction of your essay should contain a clear statement of the overall argument of the
essay. This argument should be framed in response to the whole question and all key terms and
concepts should be fully explained (4 marks). It should also ‘signpost’ the main points to be
raised in the body of the essay (1 mark).
• The body of your essay should present a clear and convincing ‘case’ in support of the overall
argument. This case should be presented in the form of TWO reasons which why your argument
is right (8 marks in total; 4 marks for each reason). Make sure you fully explain these reasons
(so another person can understand them) and offer some ‘evidence’ to support your claims.
There are two sorts of ‘evidence’ that will be particularly useful for POLS1301:
a. Other authors who confirm your argument and/or support your reasons for making
this argument (see especially your textbook, the Course Reader, and the
Recommended Readings in this Course Profile).
b. Examples drawn from current or past events in Australia, other countries, or the world
at large. Indicate exactly how (in your view) these events help substantiate your
argument/reasons.
• The body of the essay should also address the main counter-argument - ie say why those who
disagree with your argument are wrong (2 marks).
POLS1301 Modern Political Ideologies
Course Profile
Semester One - 2006 Page # 11