The University of Essex

Assignments

Assignment deadlines
Help with essay writing
Examples of good essays
Essay marking criteria

Each class will have different assignment questions. Your class tutor will distribute the assignment questions in class. Only answer the questions distributed by your class tutor.

The deadlines for the academic year 2012-13 are as follows:

Essay 1 - Deadline:

Monday 19th November 2012 (Week 8) OCS deadline: 12 o'clock midday
Watermarked hard copy to be submitted to CISH Office, room 6.130 within 24 hours.

Essay 2 - Deadline:

Monday 11th February 2013 (Week 20) OCS deadline: 12 o'clock midday
Watermarked hard copy to be submitted to the CISH Office, room 6.130 within 24 hours.

Essay 3 - Deadline:

Monday 22nd April 2013 (Week 30) OCS deadline: 12 o'clock midday
Watermarked hard copy to be submitted to the CISH Office, room 6.130 within 24 hours.

You must submit your assignment on Online Coursework Submission (OCS) and then download a watermarked version which should be submitted to the CISH office.

Each assignment must have an assignment cover sheet (word doc). The assignment cover sheet is also available from the CISH office room 6.130.

Help with Essay Writing is also available online.

You will find an example of good essays below:

Descartes - assignment by Zack Foulds (word doc)
Declaration of Independence - assignment by Jonathan Clark (word doc)
Edmund Burke - assignment by James Downes (word doc)
Voltaire Candide - assignment by Deborah Landes (word doc)
Another Voltaire Candide - assignment by Ciara McCombe (word doc)
Kant - assignment by Alice Morton (word doc)
Locke - assignment by Gavin Taylor (word doc) - the winner of the Enlightenment Prize 2010
Rousseau - assignment by Maria Popescu (word doc)
Frankenstein - assignment by Alice Morris (word doc)
Robinson Crusoe - assignment by Lucy Waddington (word doc)
Robinson Crusoe - assignment by Jasmine Crellin (word doc) - the winner of the Enlightenment Prize 2011
Crime and Punishment - assignment by Richard Salole (word doc)

Please note, as part of your assessment 5% of your module mark will be a participation mark. Each essay is worth 15% of your module mark. The exam mark is worth 50%.

Tutors are to return marked essays with feedback within 3 weeks of the deadline.

Marking Criteria

N.B. These marking guidelines refer only to work submitted for CS101. Options taught by departments are assessed in accordance with the procedures of the relevant department – these are normally published in the departmental Student Handbook.

Essay and examination marks fall into the following classes:

First Class 70 and above
Upper Second (2.1) 60 – 69
Lower Second (2.2) 50 – 59
Third 40 – 49
Fail 0 – 39

To achieve good marks you must ensure your work:

Is relevant – answer the question set and think about the purpose of the question.
Displays sound knowledge of the topic based on a considerable amount of reading, accurately referenced.
Is clearly presented, well constructed and draws a well-argued conclusion.

Marks awarded for essays submitted for CS101 will indicate the following assessments:

80+ Very exceptional work of the highest standard.
70+ Outstanding work which answers the question comprehensively, shows real understanding of the topic based on wide reading, clearly demonstrates powers of critical analysis and originality of thought. Displays skilful command of language, economy, precision and clarity in expressing difficult ideas.
60+ A comprehensive answer which is well-argued and logical. Demonstrates good understanding of the reading material and does not rely on lectures alone. Shows some independence of thought and critical analysis. Well constructed and fluently written.
50+ A fairly good answer, less well constructed and showing less evidence of reading. May be derivative or disorganized in its presentation or fail to address an aspect of the question.
40+ Very derivative, unclear or superficial arguments and little evidence of reading. May fail to address the question, contain errors or lack cohesion. Poor presentation and style.
-40 Conspicuously brief or incomplete. Shows no understanding of the topic and fails to answer the question. No evidence of reading, very poor written style, errors of spelling and grammar.
0 Mark given when no work has been submitted for the assignment.

Students who feel their coursework has been marked unfairly have the right to request a second marking by another member of academic staff, provided the work was submitted by the deadline, on the understanding that a second marking can result in the mark awarded going down instead of up. The Module Supervisors and the Course Director monitor students’ progress at the end of the Autumn and Spring Terms. Students whose work or attendance is unsatisfactory may be asked to attend a progress review, either with the Module Supervisor or Course Director. In the case of serious academic concern the student may be referred to the Dean and/or the Progress Committee. It is in your own interests to ensure that if you are experiencing problems with your work you tell your adviser, class teacher or course supervisor at an early stage so that you can get help. The longer you leave it the more difficult it is to resolve.

The Centre Office does not operate a system of anonymous marking. The main reason for not adopting anonymised marking of coursework is the belief that marking provides an important point of contact with the student, through which individualized and personal forms of encouragement and involvement can be fostered. We believe that the quality of formative feedback is enhanced when the marker knows the student, and current work can be seen in the context of earlier assignments and classroom interactions. The comments we provide in coursework seek to encourage some students that they have done well and other students that they could do better. The Centre Office takes great care to mark fairly and effectively and we feel strongly that our ability to do this is heightened through knowing our students.