INTO: Society and Culture 2015/2016

Written Assignment. September 2015 Intake

Essay title:

What might functionalism and conflict theory say about stratification in modern society? Which perspective do you think is the strongest and why?

1.                  Instructions:

·         The assignment is an ESSAY, and should be written in essay format.

·         Do not use headings.

·         You should use good English and pay particular attention to your language skills. In addition to evaluation of the academic content, the following criteria will also be taken into account:

o   Comprehensibility

o   Coherence

o   Clear, extensive in-text referencing to *TWO given texts.

o   Always use quotation marks and include page numbers for any direct quotations.

o   Make extensive use of summary and paraphrase: always include in-text referenceswhen summarizing or paraphrasing ideas in academic writing. Use page numbers.

o   References section: *TWO given texts only

·         *TWOtexts are given for this assignment. Do not use any other texts when writing this essay.

·         The assignment should be between 750 and 1,000 words in length. Please include a word count on the cover sheet. (Excess writing will be disregarded; short essays will be penalised).

·         The assignment must be typed in Times New Roman, font size 12 with double line spacing. Pages should be stapled together (top left corner).

·         When using data be very clear about how it relates to your point. Reference it carefully. The text in your essay should make the data clear, so you do not need to include graphs or tables in your essay.

·         The essay will contribute 10% to your final grade for the ‘Society & Culture’ unit.

·         The FINAL paper version of the essay MUST be time and date stamped in the Resource Centre and posted into the correct postbox inside the main door next to Reception, no later than 15:00 onThursday 17^th March 2016.

·         Any student who fails to hand in the work by this time will lose marks (See below Point 6 for details and your student handbook pp12-13).

·         You should hand in ONE hard copy of the essay.  You will also need to submit an electronic copy of your essay via blackboard.

2.                  What to include:

The essay should include

·         A cover page with your name, your group, the title of the essay, the word count and the date that you hand it in.

·         The essay structure must include:

o   Introduction (short background and thesis statement. Outline of the issue under consideration).

o   Body paragraphs (your analysis and examples put into a coherent argument).

o   Conclusion (your final evaluation that flows from your analysis)

·         References.

3.                  Students should bear in mind that plagiarism (copying material from the internet or texts without referencing or copying from other students) will result in an automatic FAIL (0%). Do not have this assignment ‘proof read’. The essay should be written only by you.

4.         Sources of information:

You must limit yourself to these *TWO specified sources ONLY:

1.      Your Macionis and Plummer coursebook.

2.      The chapter on stratification from The George Ritzer book Introduction to Sociology. This second editionwas published in 2015 by Sage in London. You will find this chapter on Blackboard in your ‘Assignments’ folder.

Do not use any other sources. Use of other sources will be penalized and may well result in an automatic fail!

ONLY USE THESETWO SOURCES. USE THEM EXTENSIVELY. MAKE FREQUENT AND CAREFUL REFERENCE TO THEM IN YOUR ESSAY. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER SOURCE.

5.         Important issues for you to think about:

·         Remember you should outline the overall issue you are looking at and link this with the academic content which has been looked at during the course.

·         Thus, if you are writing about an issue related to, say, globalisation, you are expected to outline what globalisation actually is and highlight briefly some of the debates surrounding the issue.

·         You should approach the essay with the idea that the reader knows nothing about this subject. Make things clear!

·         Try to write the essay in an academic style.Use the TWO sources carefully to support your arguments. You are focusingon and exploring a particular issue; you are not expected to convince the world of anything!

·         Always try to explore the topic in depth. You cannot expect a reader to support your claims if you do not give her/him a carefully considered response to the title.

6.         Details for late submission of assignment:

·                     Assignment handed in and electronically submitted before 15:00 hours on Thursday 17^th March 2016– No penalty.

·                     After 15.00 hours on Thursday 17^th and before 15:00 hours on Friday 18^th March 2016 – 10 marks deducted.

·                     After 15.00 on Friday 18^th and before 15:00 hours on Monday 21st March 2016 – 20 marks deducted.

·                     After 15:00 hours on Monday21^rd March 2016 – all marks deducted.

·                     Electronic or hard copy (paper) submission only – 5 marks deducted