understanding the business world

This is the first assignment(1) 1500 words
Introductions: Understanding the Business World SSEA025S4
Assignment 2: Essay
Set: see module outline Due: see module outline 1200- 1500 words
1. Title
What are the strengths, limitations and challenges of ethical and socially responsible business practice? Discuss with reference to case studies of your choice. [Note: You may draw on the case study used in class but you are expected to refer to at least one other case study of your choice.]
Your essay should be produced as a Word document with appropriate referencing and bibliography.
2. Preparation
When writing your essay you should consider the stages discussed in class, including research & note-taking, planning, structuring and editing.
To supplement the topics discussed in class, you should refer to the sections on essay writing in at least one study skills book, such as:
Cottrell S (2008) The Study Skills Handbook, Basingstoke, Palgrave
Cottrell S. (2011) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument, 2nd edition Palgrave Macmillan
Créme P & Lea M (1997) Writing at University, Buckingham, Open University
Drew S & Bingham R (1997) The Students Skills Guide, Aldershot, Gower
Rose J (2001) The Mature Students Guide to Writing, Basingstoke, Palgrave
Tyler,S. (2007) 3rd edition The Manager’s Good Study Guide, Milton Keynes, Open University
See also resources on Blackboard and the Birkbeck Library web pages.
4. References
You must show that you have consulted the literature on your subject by the use of references. You are expected to refer to a range of sources, including non-electronic sources of information ie. academic books. You should use the Harvard Referencing System. As a minimum , you should refer to at least three academic sources. As a guide for later modules, there is usually an expectation that you refer to at least five academic sources when writing an essay or report.
5. Word count
This should be within 10% of the word limit. Quotations are included in the word count so these should be brief and carefully selected
6. Criteria for assessment
Refer to the information on Moodle for general assessment criteria. Your work will be specifically marked for how far it demonstrates the following:
· A clearly structured ‘argument’ that maintains a focus on the essay title
· Use of an appropriate selection of secondary sources to support the development of your argument.
· Analysis and evaluation of the sources that you use
· Accurate referencing of the sources that you use

This is the second assignment (2) 1000 words
ASSIGNMENT 4: Learning Review

Due: see module outline
1000 words

Task
Write a review of your learning experience related to researching, drafting and composing academic writing since starting your course this year.

Your Learning Review should be produced as a Word document with appropriate in-text referencing and reference list.

Areas to consider include:

• A brief overview of your progress, considering the challenges and successes you have experienced this term
• The knowledge and skills that you brought to your course and how these contributed to your learning in the module
• An evaluation of some of the ‘theoretical’ ideas about CSR and Business Ethics eg What have been the most useful things you have learned about CSR? Have you been able to incorporate this learning into your current work practice?
• A discussion of how you have incorporated feedback in Assignments 1 and 2 into the development of your writing. This might include referring to steps you took between Assignment 1 and 2, Action Plans undertaken throughout the module, SMART ‘targets’ that you established or completed, and your learning journal.
• Consider the writing support material you have been exposed to this term or located independently. What resource(s) for study skills have been most useful in your learning? You should evaluate at least ONE writing resource, explaining in detail how you have used this source to improve the way you write in HE (For example a chapter from Cottrell’s Study Guide; a handout; a section of a learning development website [Remember to reference properly].

Word count
This should be within 10% of the word limit i.e. not less than 10% or more than 10% of 1000 words. Quotations are included in the word count so these should be brief and carefully selected.

Criteria for assessment

Your work will be marked on how far it demonstrates the following:
• A clearly structured review, maintaining a focus on reflection and analysis in relation to the learning outcomes of the module, and drawing from the development of your learning journal.
• Inclusion of secondary sources [e.g. reference to chapters from books, articles or sections of websites] to support the development of your review, including evaluation of at least one source that you used to help develop your writing in the module.
• Accurate referencing of the sources that you use.

Reading

While you should select a single study guide for the learning review, below is a list of other study guides you might also find useful in the future.

• Cottrell, S (2008) The Study Skills Handbook , (3rd Edition) Milton Keynes: Open University
• Redman, P (2001) Good Essay Writing, Sage
• Crème, P (1997) Writing at University, Open University Press
• Northedge, A (2005) The Good Study Guide, Open University Press
• Bolton, G (2004) Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional, Paul Chapman Publishing
• Cottrell, S (2003) The Personal Development Planning Handbook, Palgrave, Macmillan
• Moon, J (2004) A Handbook of Reflective and Experiential Learning: Theory and Practice, Routledge Falmer

Learning Development Web sites:

• https://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/pdp/index.asp
• https://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/index.asp
• https://www.mindtools.com/
• https://owl.english.purdue.edu/ (An on-line writing lab which includes sections on punctuation, sentence construction and spelling.)