Your assessment brief: Individual Essay
6.1 Guidance:
Choose ONE of the following five topics from below. After choosing ONE topic, students MUST write an individual essay using class and reading materials provided on Moodle related to your chosen topic.
Length: 3,000 words + / – 10% (excluding references) worth 100% of the overall mark
In your essay, you MUST only reference sources from mandatory and suggested readings on Moodle NOTHING ELSE. You are also expected to reference arguments and discussions we had together in tutorials.
Topic 1: Analyse in detail Matt Zwolinski’s argument in favour of sweatshop labour. Then, explain whether you agree with him or not, and why. Additionally, consider the implications of digital globalization on sweatshop labour practices and how sustainable supply chain management might address the ethical concerns associated with these practices.
Topic 2: Imagine that you are a strategy consultant hired by a large oil company to guide safety standards on oil rigs. Analyse in detail Milton Friedman’s Shareholder theory and explain relevant differences with Edward Freeman’s stakeholder theory. Additionally, consider how implementing a circular economy model could impact these theories and the company’s approach to sustainability. Then, explain which theory you would advise the oil company to follow, and why.
Topic 3: Joseph Heath discusses two Canadian beer companies and argues that they should scale back their advertising expenditures “until they are eliminated completely.” (2014, p.12-13). Analyse his Market Failures Approach and explain why he believes they should eliminate advertising expenditure. Additionally, consider how this approach aligns or conflicts with sustainable business practices and the theoretical concepts of sustainability such as the Triple Bottom Line approach. Discuss whether reducing advertising expenditures could contribute to broader sustainability goals and explain whether you agree with Heath’s perspective in this context.
Topic 4: Today, top executives in S&P500 companies earn on average 300 times the salary of the average worker. Analyse John Rawls’ theory and explain how he would evaluate these inequalities. Incorporate a discussion on how AI and sustainability efforts might affect these inequalities, considering the ethical implications of AI in business and its role in promoting or hindering sustainability. Then, explain whether you agree with him or not, and why.
Topic 5: Imagine that you work at Amazon as Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion manager. Explain three different kinds of discrimination that your employees can face. Then, explain why and how you would prevent wrongful discrimination in the workplace?
Your Essay needs to contain the four following elements
a.Introduction
The introduction should remain short but must contain the following elements clearly written:
- Give some general background on the topic of the essay.
- Announce your argument statements to the specific question asked by the topic (the answer you will argue for in your essay). For instance, you can say: “In this essay, I will agree/disagree with….”.
- Include a clear outline of the essay. For instance, you can say: “In section 2, I will explain…. Then, in Section 3, I will argue that….”.
b.Theoretical background
You must analyse and explain the main theories and frameworks necessary to understand the topic. For instance, if you choose Week 1, you must explain the argument of Matt Zwolinski, and if you choose Week 2 you must analyse the main similarities and differences between the arguments of Friedman and Freeman.
- Explain the main premises and logic of the argument using your engagement with the lectures and tutorials, as well as mandatory and suggested readings on Moodle.
- Use an example discussed in your tutorial activities to illustrate how your argument applies in real business decisions.
c.Your own perspective
You must take a side and explain your perspective on the debate at stake on your topic. Do you agree or disagree with the position of the authors you mentioned above?
- Explain your own perspective on the issue, which side you are on, and why?
- If you agree with the main author, you must explain at least one or two objections to their argument and how you respond/reject these objections.
- If you disagree with the main author, you must explain at least one or two objections to their argument and why you believe that these objections are convincing.
- Use mandatory readings and suggested readings on Moodle to support your opinion.
d.References (not included in the word count):
You must use academic sources from Moodle readings ONLY to support your writing and then properly reference all your sources in the reference list at the end of your essay.
Use the Harvard Referencing Style consistently in all your references.
Please peruse the guidance materials on responsible use of AI generated contents, as per University of Greenwich’s policy
AI usage if applicable, is to be limited. Students can use it to generate ideas, check grammar but NOT to write text.
6.2 Formative assessments:
students will be supported towards the summative assignment by taking part in seminar discussions on lecture topics. Additionally, students will be offered an Essay Support Clinic in seminar class approximately one week before their assignment submission deadline.
6.3 Feedback for summative coursework:
Feedback will be provided in typed format of a ‘feedback sandwich’ via Turnitin:
What went well;
What did not go well;
What to be taken forward.
Students can also discuss the received feedback (NOT the grade) with your tutorial tutor in one-to-one meetings.
6.4 Marking criteria:
this can also be found on the module’s Moodle page under ‘’Coursework Submission’ tab.
|
Marking Criteria – Essay |
Marks |
|
Focus Does your essay set up a clear essay question to address followed by a thoughtfully formulated overarching argument? Does your essay stay within and fulfil the topic parameters? Does your essay focus on class materials and readings provided on Moodle? |
20% |
|
Synthesis Does your essay bring together the literature (class materials & readings on Moodle) in a significant manner that addresses your essay question? |
30% |
|
Soundness Does your essay indicate a comprehensive understanding of the topic area and literature including key theories (class materials & readings on Moodle) discussed? |
30% |
|
Clarity of structure Is your essay well organized and logically constructed to achieve synthesis while being mindful of the needs of the reader? |
10% |
|
Mechanical Soundness Is your essay clearly written, spell checked, grammatically sound and referenced appropriately in Harvard style? |
10% |
6.5 Marking rubric for Individual Essay:
| Marking Criteria | 0-29% Fail | 30-49% Fail | 50% Pass | 55% Pass | 60% Good | 65% Very good | 70% Excellent | 75% Excellent | 80-100% Exceptional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus (20%) | The essay does not answer the question asked or the answer is not sufficiently related to the question. | Fails to develop a coherent answer to the question, showing minimal awareness of the topic. Diverts focus toward other irrelevant topics. | Imprecise presentation of the question and key issues. The essay answers the question to some extent but lacks a clear focus, introducing less relevant material. The essay uses only a few relevant sources. | Concise and satisfactory execution of the task. But some issues are barely considered, and the essay uses only a few relevant sources. Information lacks originality and critical insight. | The essay question is articulated clearly and answered using assigned materials, covering most pertinent issues related to the topic. Some inaccuracies. Information lacks originality and critical insight. | The essay is well articulated and answered clearly using assigned materials, covering most pertinent issues related to the topic. Each section has a clear purpose and there is some originality and critical insight. | All areas of the task are addressed with clarity and precision. The essay provides critical assessment that stays focused, and there is little or no irrelevant material. Each section has a clear purpose and there is some originality and critical insight. | The essay sets to answer a clear original question, employing directly relevant materials that are assigned for the module. Extensive use of highly relevant literature. | The essay contains evidence of significant independent research, reflective, perceptive, well-structured, showing significant originality in ideas and arguments. Original idea potentially worth of publication. |
| Synthesis (30%) | Little to no evidence of engagement with texts, sources, or background readings. The student needs to dedicate more effort to reading the essential material. | Weak ability to engage with literature. The student needs to read much more widely around the subject and engage with module materials to develop an understanding of the subject. | Limited reference to background reading. Poor engagement with sources which is drawn from a small number of authors and/or draws on weak sources. | Satisfactory reference to relevant sources. Adequate engagement with background readings. The engagement with sources is limited and draws on a small number of authors and/or draws on weak sources. | Good analysis and engagement with sources with an appropriate reference to background readings. There is some evidence of employing diverse sources from mandatory or recommended readings. | Very good range of appropriate literature relevant to the chosen topic is used to support the arguments and findings. There is evidence of integrating diverse sources from mandatory or recommended readings. | Excellent comprehension of different perspectives and viewpoints, with an in-depth critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses and a balanced judgment. Robust reference to relevant and extensive literature. | The essay includes evidence of reading beyond the essential texts and displays an excellent knowledge of international business theories and frameworks. Excellent ability to synthesise diverse sources. | Exceptional understanding of a wide range of literature is demonstrated. An extensive range of current and appropriate literature is presented to support the argument. Excellent ability to synthesize diverse sources including academic and non-academic. |
| Soundness (30%) | Poor to no attempt to demonstrate knowledge. No links have been provided to any concepts in the module. | Confusion about the subject, main frameworks, and theories, with many serious omissions. Key concepts/theories are poorly defined or presented too briefly. | Limited ability to explore the dimensions of the topic areas. Some supporting provisions to back up claims. The essay remains mostly descriptive and presented too briefly. | Satisfactory ability to explore the dimensions of the topic areas. Some supporting provisions to back up claims. Key concepts/theories are presented or described in an appropriate manner. | Good ability to explore the dimensions of the topic areas and discuss objections to their own perspective. The essay shows good supporting evidence based on the author’s ability to present information to support ideas with appropriate evidence. | Very good ability to explore the dimensions of the topic areas and discuss objections to their own perspective. The essay shows clear use of supporting evidence to explore different aspects of the subject, including integrating diverse perspectives. | Excellent and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, including key concepts, theories, and key facts in the subject area. Excellent ability to link and crit |