Teaching Period 3, 2014 SOC10007 Understanding the modern world
Assessment 1: Essay Word limit: 1000 (+/- 10%) Due date: 9am AEDT Monday 1 December 2014 (Week 5) Weighting: 30%

Assessment overview The purpose of this assessment is to get you thinking about the massive changes that have transformed our lives since the emergence of the modern world. Assessment details How has daily life changed since 1800? To answer this question, compare Blainey’s account of life before 1800 with your observations about how people live today.

1. You need to read the chapter ‘Dethroning the harvest’ by Geoffrey Blainey to get an idea of life and society in the period 1500 – 1800, and then compare that with life today, drawing on your own experience and observations, and one or two additional references. 2. You will find a link to this reading on Blackboard under Assessments: Blainey, G 2000, ‘Dethroning the harvest’ in a short history of the world, Viking, Ringwood, pp.409-429 3. It may be helpful to think about these questions:      Where did people live? How did people get their food? What types of work did people do, and how was it organised? What were people’s major concerns and preoccupations? What was the general standard of living?

4. You should use the Harvard reference system for in-text referencing and your Reference List. 5. You should use the Blainey reference and at least one of: Henslin, J, Possamai, A & Possamai-Inesedy, A 2011, Sociology: a down-to-earth approach, Pearson, Frenchs Forrest, pp.136-140. Macionis J & Plummer, K 2012, Sociology: a global introduction, 5th edn, Pearson Prentice Hall, Harlow, pp. 105-113.

6. You can access these resources via Blackboard, in the Assessments section.

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SOC10007 Understanding the modern world

Suggested Structure This is a guide to how you might organise your essay. However, remember it is not a report, so you should NOT use these subheadings in your essay. You need to ensure that the various sections ‘flow’ through use of appropriate linking or lead sentences for each paragraph. Introduction: In your introduction, you need to introduce the topic to the reader, and say what you will do in the rest of your essay, highlighting three or four themes for discussion. Summary of life in 1500-1800: In this section you need to clearly summarise the most relevant parts of the Blainey chapter. This section should be cited properly using the Harvard system. You will need to acknowledge the source of your information through expressions such as ‘Blainey describes…’ or ‘Blainey explains…’ Discussion of how your experience differs from people’s experience in that period: In this section you need to describe and reflect on what for you are the most significant differences between life in the earlier period and life today. You can use the additional reference(s) to help you identify key differences between life then and now, or contrast the differences that seem most important to you with those identified in these references. It is suggested that you structure your comparison around key themes, for example housing, work, food, standard of living etc. Conclusion: In your conclusion, you should refer back to the topic, and recap on the main points that have been covered in your essay. As a way of bringing your essay to a close, you might like to reflect on what you believe to be the most important differences between life then and now. You might like to reflect on your general impression of the changes that you have described – do you think they show that society is getting better, or worse? Or both?

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SOC10007 Understanding the modern world

Your work will be assessed using the following marking guide:
Criteria No pass Pass 50-59% Summary Ability to provide an effective and concise summary of the Blainey chapter. (35%) Thematic analysis Ability to identify and compare key themes/difference s from pre and postmodernity. (35%) Structure and presentation Ability to structure the essay in a logical and coherent fashion; evidence of ability in academic writing, conducting research and referencing using the Harvard style. (30%) Did not meet criteria. Essay structure could be improved to provide greater evenness and there are inconsistencies in referencing and/or academic writing. Structure is satisfactory but lacks a coherent flow throughout. Presentation is satisfactory but more attention could be paid to spelling, grammar and/or sentence structure. Essay is well structured in parts but could be improved in other areas. The essay has minimal errors in referencing and academic writing. Structure is clear, logical and coherent throughout the essay and the essay is appropriately referenced, researched and well written. Did not meet criteria. Themes are discussed in a superficial or rudimentary fashion. Several themes are identified yet a sound comparison is lacking. Several appropriate themes discussed although some further depth is required. Analysis and comparison is insightful and detailed, with a clear identification of pertinent themes. Did not meet criteria. Summary is mostly inaccurate, unclear and/or irrelevant. Credit 60-69% Summary is satisfactory but lacks adequate detail. Distinction 70-79% Summary is effective but some detail is missing. High distinction 80-100% Summary is clear and succinct with relevant parts captured.

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SOC10007 Understanding the modern world

Some Tips           Use the specified references. Make sure you understand the question. Make sure you answer the question. Referring back to the topic throughout your assignment can help guide the reader and structure the essay. Think about your essay from the point of view of the reader – does your essay state clearly what you are trying to say? Can the reader easily follow your line of argument? Explain (spell out) the links between paragraphs, and between topic and paragraphs. Say why the examples you give are relevant to the question. Edit, edit, edit. Writing a good essay takes TIME. Don’t just put together a string of quotes - it is better to practise paraphrasing ideas in your own words. It is also a good idea to comment on the quotes you use, and to link them together in your own words.

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SOC10007 Understanding the modern world