ASSESSMENT

The formal assessment for this course will comprise

• a major essay

• an examination

• submission of the completed Workbook.

Specific assessment items will be detailed in a separate booklet.

This completes the introduction to the materials and resources you have at your disposal. From this point on you will consider the subject matter and readings that provide the background information and introduction to the content of Citizenship and Australian Democracy.

Title and type of assessment item	Due date	Length	Weight
Essay	End of Week 9	2,500 words	40%
Examination	Examination week 14	2 hours	30%
Completed workbook	Examination week 14 (submit same day as exam.)		30%

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Marking criteria are basically the same for the essays and the examination in terms of the level and type of argument, criticism and discussion required. Nevertheless, it is expected that presentation will be much better in essays.

Essay

You should choose one topic from the list supplied. Write no more than the designated length and submit the essay to the Course Convenor no later than 5 p.m. on the due date.

Presentation

Essays should be properly typed, word processed, or written legibly on one side of a page. Each essay should be complete with references and bibliography. You will need to consult and follow the models provided in the Department of Government Essay Guide, available from the Government Department Office.

Overall, your essay will be given a mark out of 40. In grading papers, markers will use the full range of available marks using the following criteria:

 

• a demonstrated understanding of reading,

• relevance to the topic,

• the coherence of its argument,

• strength of supporting evidence,

• critical evaluation of alternative explanations,

• clarity of expression.

The following standards for each grade will apply:

For a grade of "4"

Markers will give a mark from 10 to 19 to essays which are satisfactory. These are essays which are lucid and concise and which demonstrate that the writer has adequately researched the set topic, and which:

• are submitted on time in the specified manner;

• address the set question within the prescribed word length;

• show that the author has a sound knowledge of relevant facts;

• show the author has a basic understanding of relevant concepts and theories;

• sustain a central argument;

• contain few grammatical, spelling or typographical errors;

• provide appropriate references to the work of others including a complete bibliography of references used in the essay.

A mark from 20 to 29, corresponding to a grade of "5" will be given to creditable essays: which meet all the requirements of a "4" but which

• are based on thorough research of the topic, contain evidence of attention to detail and of some original and critical thought; and

• which show that the author is able to distinguish between and to apply relevant theories and concepts to the set question.

A mark from 30 to 34, corresponding to a grade of "6" will be given to essays judged to be excellent:

• which are well-structured and coherent and which meet all of the requirements of a "5" but

• which also show evidence of critical reflection, and evidence of the synthesis of relevant theories and concepts.

A mark from 35 and above, corresponding to the grade of "7" will be given to outstanding essays. Normally only a small proportion of the class will obtain marks in this upper range. These essays will meet all the requirements of a "6" but will also

• draw upon a wide range of texts and demonstrate evidence of substantial original thought, critical analysis, and

• show a very good insight into the question.

A mark from 5-9, corresponding to a grade of "3" will be given to essays which show that the author has done some limited reading on the topic and acquired some relevant knowledge but in which the author:

• repeatedly fails to cite sources properly or to provide an adequate reference list or bibliography ; or

• fails to demonstrate sufficient understanding of key concepts and theories; or makes frequent grammatical and citation errors; or

• makes significant errors of fact; or fails to sustain a coherent, well-organised central argument; or

• fails to address the question.

A mark from 1-4, corresponding to a failing grade of "2" will be given to essays which:

• reveal that the author has misunderstood the set question; or

• which fail to demonstrate that the author has relevant knowledge or an understanding of the concepts which the question presumes.

A mark of 0, corresponding to a failing grade of "1" will be given to essays which

• are incoherent, and which contain factual errors and serious misunderstandings of basic concepts or the set question; or which

• are plagiarised.

EXAMINATION

The examination will be of 2 hours duration in which you will be asked to answer three (3) questions of equal worth (10%) based upon your work in this unit.

WORKBOOK

The Workbook is part of your assessment for this unit and is to be handed in at the end of the course. You must answer all the questions and tasks it contains.

Please note that the Workbook is not a series of assessment tests. Your answers to individual questions will not be marked. It is up to you to check your answers against the relevant readings.

Only 2 numerical marks will be awarded for the Workbook.

• Where you have completed satisfactorily all three sections for each Study Week, you will receive all 30 marks allocated to this assignment.

• Where you have not completed all the sections, or not submitted the Workbook, you will receive no marks.

Given that the completed Workbook will be of use to you in preparing for the examination, it is to be submitted to the examination supervisor on the day you sit the examination. The examination supervisor will return the Workbook along with the examination scripts to the University of Queensland.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is cheating. Plagiarism includes the unacknowledged reproduction of work from texts, web sites and other students. Take as many notes as you need, and consult with your friends if you like, but the final essay you submit must be in your own words. Essays which contain plagiarised passages will be given a mark of 0 and forwarded to the Head of Department for appropriate action. For more details on this problem read the relevant section of the Department of Government's Essay Guide.

EXTENSIONS

In cases of urgent medical problems, personal hardship or family crises, a request for an extension must be made in writing, before the due date, through the Course Convenor. The request should indicate the date to which you require the extension.

LATE SUBMISSIONS

Students who present essays late without being granted an extension, will be penalised by the deduction of one mark for each day that it is overdue. After two weeks, late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with the course convenor.

APPEALS AGAINST MARKS AND GRADES

Follow the procedures outlined in the Department of Government Essay Guide.

SUBMISSION AND RETURN OF ASSESSMENT ITEMS

Essays should be submitted to:

Submitted assignments will be recorded as received in the Department of Government and then forwarded to a tutor for marking. On return of the marked assignment the Department will record the mark awarded and return the assignment to the student by post. It is expected that assignments will normally be recorded, marked and returned within three weeks from the date of submission.

Enquiries regarding overdue marking should be made directly to:

The Course Convenor:	Assoc. Prof.Geoff Stokes
Office hours:	Ph:(07) 3365 3301
Facsimile:	(07) 3365 1388
After hours:	Leave a message on voice mail on (07) 3365 3301 or on (07) 3365 2635