3000-word essay response to one of these questions: 1. As a way to explain the similarity of… 1 answer below »

3000-word essay response to one of these questions:
1. As a way to explain the similarity of cultural trends around the world, is the
discourse of cultural imperialism useful and valid? Base your response on an
example (or examples) from one nation.
2. How does the concept of 'glocalization' frame the relationship between globalizing
forces and local agents with the global cultural economy? Illustrate your response
with an example (or examples) from at least one nation.
3. How do global advertisers appeal to the cultural preferences of consumers in
developing regions or emerging economic hotspots? Illustrate your response with an
example (or examples) from one nation.
4. How have notions of identity and citizenship changed over the last two decades?
Illustrate your response with an example of a political movement and/or event from
one nation.
5. Has the growth in digital social media expanded opportunities for political
expression and/or activity around the world? Illustrate your response with an
example (or examples) from one nation.
Marking Criteria
* Reading & research: evidence of critical engagement with pertinent academic
material; evidence of thorough research (books, journals, the internet, media
sources, archives etc)
* Argument & analysis: well-articulated and well-supported argument; evidence of
relational thinking
* Writing & structure: clear, logical and coherent structure; clarity of expression;
correct referencing
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
? Analyse the role that globalised media flows play in affecting and reflecting
changing conceptions of social, political and economic identity
? Compare how different disciplinary scholars have analyzed the consequences
of global media flows
? Apply discipline-specific theories and concepts to pertinent contemporary
case studies
? Explain complex media phenomena with discipline-specific language, and
support a discursive position with pertinent literature and evidence
How much research do I have to do for my essays?
Aim for at least five academic references beyond the set readings. Follow the
academic trail: footnotes, endnotes, reference lists, bibliographies – make use of the
research cues these provide. Go to the library (or library website) and find out which
database is good for you. Consult the journals most relevant to ICOM811 and find
the articles best suited to your topic (many of these journals feature in the unit
reader). Also, scan the bookshelves: books will usually provide discussion of issues in
more detail and depth than you'll find elsewhere. Basically, the wider (and wiser)
your researcher choices are, the stronger your grasp of the issues, and the better
informed you would be.
Q: What if I forget to reference a reading or two?
Don't forget. Failure to reference a source may see you accused of "plagiarism" and
there are serious penalties for it. You must acknowledge every intellectual/academic
debt, and provide the reader/marker with the correct reference.
Q: How do I go about proposing a good argument?
To start with, decide why you are writing your essay. A good argument is one that
can be articulated succinctly and convincingly. That is, it can be demonstrated, not
just asserted. What can you show, using the evidence you've found? To get to that
point – being able to construct an argument simply and demonstrably – requires
reading, research and careful consideration. Essay writing is a process! Once you've
decided on an argument, it will underpin your entire essay; in fact, it is the reason
you're writing an essay: to make a good argument.
Q: How should I structure my essays?
An academic essay should consist of an introduction, discussion and conclusion.
Once you have a central argument, state it point-blank in the introduction of your
essay, and flag the various points you'll present to make your case. Then, discuss
each point in detail and depth (your essay's main body). Finally, end with a closing
paragraph (the conclusion) that sums up your central argument and unifies the
various points put forward. You want to leave the reader/marker feeling
intellectually satisfied; i.e. you've made a strong, convincing case and provided solid
evidence (research) logically and efficiently.
Q: What writing style is appropriate for my essays?
Obviously, your writing should be clear, well punctuated and grammatically correct.
This is a basic requirement and writing that is sloppy or incoherent will be marked
down accordingly. Specifically though, we want a writing style that delivers your
ideas simply and succinctly. Always aim for language that is tight – do not ?over write'
or weigh your work down with florid, pompous or superfluous expression. Keep it
clean and to the point. Also, there's no room for typographical errors or odd syntax.
Before you hit ?PRINT' read you work aloud off the screen. Before you submit, read
the hard copy aloud. You'll be surprised how many errors you'll notice – make sure
these are rectified before the essay is submitted.
Q: What do I need to do to get a Pass for my essay?
Macquarie University defines the Pass standard as denoting performance that
"satisfies unit objectives" – the majority of essays submitted are likely to be of Pass
standard. Pass essays will be solid, satisfactory pieces of work that clearly meet good
standards in all three of the assessment categories. However, generally speaking,
Pass essays will probably have substantial room for improvement in at least two of
the three assessment categories. The following are some examples of common
problems in Pass essays: Pass essays often rely overly on description and summary at
the expense of argument. They sometimes demonstrate an understanding of the
need to be analytical and to construct an argument, but do not quite achieve an
effective one. Often they are under-researched. Pass essays are also often in need of
further editing and revision and may feature occasional unclear language or less-
than-coherent structure. In ICOM 811 essays that are inadequately, poorly or
sloppily referenced cannot attain higher than a Pass at best. Moreover, ICOM 811
essays that display no evidence of academic reading beyond the unit reader cannot
attain higher than a Pass at best.
Q: Why would I get a Fail for my essay?
Fail essays do not satisfy minimum standards in any of the three assessment
categories. Fail grades may be given in a range of cases, including (but not limited
to) cases where: the assignment submitted more closely resembles a set of
preliminary notes than a finished essay; the essay contains no evidence of reading or
evidence only of reading material inappropriate for university study (this often
means haphazardly selected writings found online); the essay does not construct an
argument but relies instead entirely on description and synopsis; the essay calls
upon the reader to guess at the meaning intended, through lack of care and
attention in spelling, grammar, sentence and paragraph construction. The grade of
Fail for a piece of written work is a strong indication that the student would be wise
to pursue some of the support options for essay writing and other study skills
offered by the university.