Assessment Task 2: Research Essay
Value: 40%
Word limit: 2000 words (+/- 10%) Including references.
Details of task: This task will enable students to demonstrate their understandings of key theoretical constructs which underpin social policy development, and specifically how policies related to poverty have evolved in Australia and/or Globally. Students will base their response on a specific policy document of their choosing related to social issues of poverty: i.e. public housing, pensions, aged-care, immigration, international aid, alcohol and other drugs, disability. Students can choose an international or domestic context.
Essay Question: How does the policy reflect theoretical constructions of a problem? Identify specific phrases, words, or statements in the policy product that reflect a theoretical construct or political ideology (i.e. neo-liberalism, poststructuralism, Marxism, feminsim, racism, socialism, conservatism, etc.). Use peer-reviewed research (academic journals, books, chapters) to support and inform your analysis.
Assessment Criteria: The course coordinator or tutor will assess this task. Students are to submit this task via Moodle. Students will receive written feedback via Moodle.
The criteria are as follows:
Identification and critical analysis of specific exampls of words, phrases, or statements from the chosen policy product that reflect a particular ideology or social theory and use of high quality peer-reviewed published literature to support argument.
Quality of presentation and writing style.
Strength and clarity of argument within the essay as a whole, including use of reason and references. Adherence to APA 7 referencing.
A research essay tests high order thinking, a capacity to examine, analyse, evaluate and develop a sophisticated argument that is well structured and well-argued and supported by literature. The skills you acquire are: capacity for high order thinking, ability to critically analyse complex social theories and constructions, develop research skills, deep understanding of values, ideologies and social constructs that impact the formation of social policies in a liberal welfare state.
Essay Question: How does the policy reflect theoretical constructions of a problem? Identify specific phrases, words, or statements in the policy product that reflect a theoretical construct or political ideology (i.e. neo-liberalism, poststructuralism, Marxism, feminsim, racism, socialism, conservatism, etc.). Use peer-reviewed research (academic journals, books, chapters) to support and inform your analysis.
HQ needed