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?
