COURSEWORK ASSIGNMENT

COURSEWORK ASSIGNMENT 2:  4,000-WORD ESSAY [Contributes 75% to total module mark] You should choose one essay question from the eight listed below and construct an essay based on best academic practice. At post-graduate level you are expected to demonstrate analytic capability and to construct a fluent and logical argument. Your work should evidence extensive reading and research and be fully and accurately referenced. Full marking criteria are as below: Distinction: 70%+ (i)    structure        Very clearly organised and logically structured, following through coherent thesis from aims to conclusion. (ii)    content        Covers material in a full and accurate manner and approach    revealing careful attention to relevant evidence and arguments; excellent understanding of relevant issues. Develops its thesis with the aid of a coherent critical analysis. Some degree of innovation or originality in its approach to topic. (iii)    style and        Very well written, with good command of presentation        grammar, syntax, spelling and punctuation; clearly presented with wide range of sources and with accurate and consistent references. Merit:  60-69% (i)    structure        Clearly organised and logically structured, following through coherent thesis from aims to conclusion. (ii)    content and        Covers material in a competent manner, with approach        careful attention to relevant evidence and argument. Develops sound understanding of issues and problems raised in question. Develops                 its thesis with an analytical approach, focused on                 the question throughout. (iii)    style and        Well-written with generally good grasp of presentation        grammar, syntax, spelling and punctuation; clearly presented with use of relevant sources and with accurate and consistent references. 50-59% (i)    structure        Sound organisation, though with some inconsistencies; follows through thesis from aims to conclusion in limited but adequate manner. (ii)    content and        Covers material in generally thorough manner, approach        though with some inconsistencies. Somewhat lacking in attention to relevant evidence, examples or arguments. Develops adequate understanding of issues and problems raised by the question, though not always focused on actual question. Approaches material with an essentially descriptive rather than analytical focus (iii)    style and        Adequately written with generally sound presentation        command of grammar and syntax, though with a few errors of spelling and punctuation; clearly presented with use of limited but relevant sources and with consistent references. 40-49% (i)    structure        Some evidence of relevant organisation and                         structure with a few aims clearly set out. (ii)    content and        Limited focus on question, which displays approach        some attention to relevant evidence and arguments. Evidence of some understanding of the issues and problems raised by the question. (iii)    style and        Limited style and presentational skills. A command of presentation        English though with errors of grammar and syntax, and spelling. Uneven use of sources and references. Fail: below 40% (i)    structure        Disorganised with no logical     structure. (ii)    content and        Unfocused; minimal attention to relevant approach        evidence or arguments, together with minimal understanding of problems and issues raised by the question. (iii)    style and        Very poorly written, with inadequate command presentation        of grammar and syntax, and with numerous errors of spelling and punctuation; presented with inadequate or non-existent sources or references. Essay Questions The questions relate to the workshops and you should refer to the readings listed there as starting points. 1.    ‘In the era after the end of the Cold War, liberalism has replaced realism as the dominant explanation for the nature of the international system.’ Do you agree with this assertion? 2.    ‘With the proliferation of non-state actors, diplomacy is more relevant than ever in the 21st Century’.  How far do you agree with this statement? 3.    To what degree can Richelieu be considered ‘the father of modern diplomacy’? 4.    How far do you agree that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is an evolving institution? 5.    To what extent can the Falkland Islands War of 1982 be seen as a failure of diplomacy? 6.    Does successful diplomacy rely on 'ripe moments'? Discuss with reference to at least two case studies. 7.    To what extent is the Durban Platform a break-through in global climate change negotiations? 8.    ‘Call it public diplomacy, or public affairs, or psychological warfare, or -- if you really want to be blunt – propaganda’. Is Richard Holbrooke correct to characterise public diplomacy in these terms?

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