Cultural Policy

GCST6901 CULTURAL POLICY
Assignment 3
Major Research Essay
2500words (worth 50%)

For this assessment, you are required to develop your research plan with reference to international and/or local case studies, and formulate an argument in response to your research question, case studies, policy materials and contemporary cultural policy studies scholarship.

In researching your chosen topic, you will need to source appropriate primary material (policy and other relevant government documents, legislation, parliamentary debates, budget papers and so on) and secondary material (critical literature which related to the topic and question you have chosen).

It is expected your analysis will be located within relevant debates within cultural studies and will critically apply the conceptual frameworks considered in the unit to your case studies. You will need to clearly articulate your research topic and develop a persuasive argument to address your key question. Your essay should employ accurate referencing for all sources used.

Essays must be uploaded via the Research Essay Turnitin on Canvas by 11:59pm on Monday 11 November. (Late penalties apply.)

Students must be consistent with their referencing throughout the assignment. If unsure, please consult the Department of Gender and Cultural Studies Style Guide on the website:
http://sydney.edu.au/arts/gender_cultural_studies/postgrad_coursework/index.shtml (also available in the Cultural Policy LMS).

The research essay will be marked according to the rubric attached.

Your final mark will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Written expression

0-49

FAIL
50-64

PASS
65-74

CREDIT
75-84

DISTINCTION
85-100

HIGH
DISTINCTION
The number of
errors or lack of
clarity in expression makes the essay difficult to understand or
follow. Large numbers of
grammatical and/or spelling
errors. Spelling and/or
grammatical
errors impact on
the clarity of the
writing but it is
still comprehensible.
The material is
not especially
well organised and is instead
jumbled
together.
Some errors or
awkwardness
of expression
but in general
correct
grammar and
spelling is
used.
The essay is
overall clear. Negligible
grammar or
spelling errors.
The student uses
clearly written
sentences
throughout the
essay. Negligible
grammar and
spelling errors.
The writing is
especially lucid.

Conceptual engagement with primary materials

0-49

FAIL
50-64

PASS
65-74

CREDIT
75-84

DISTINCTION
85-100

HIGH
DISTINCTION
Concepts and their
relationship to policy materials and case studies are unclear, or unable to be identified. Concepts are minimally engaged with in relation to policy materials and case studies, however the relationship between the argument and illustrative examples is not always clear. Good use of concepts in engagement with policy materials and case studies, illustrating how they relate to the argument. The examples chosen are evidence of original research. Very strong use of concepts in a focused engagement with policy materials and case studies, in order to illustrate key points and advance argument. The examples chosen are evidence of thoughtful, original research. Exceptionally
strong use of
concepts in a
focused
engagement with policy materials and case studies, in order to illustrate the key points of the
argument. The
examples chosen
are evidence of
extensive,
thoughtful and
original research.
Argument and its contextualisation in the field

0-49

FAIL
50-64

PASS
65-74

CREDIT
75-84

DISTINCTION
85-100

HIGH
DISTINCTION
Merely summarizes secondary material (scholarly sources) and primary material without any independent thesis or argument. Fails to demonstrate understanding of how arguments relate to broader questions in cultural policy studies. Contains some analysis of secondary material (scholarly sources) and primary material. Contains several arguments but these are not effectively integrated into any overarching argument or thesis. Demonstrates a basic understanding of how arguments relate to broader questions in cultural policy studies. Contains an independent thesis or central idea, but either it is not clearly articulated and/or it is minimally developed with evidence/examples from primary and secondary sources. Demonstrates a good understanding of their argument’s place in cultural policy studies. Contains a clear and logical thesis that is identified early and then systematically supported with arguments, primary evidence, and a review of the scholarly literature. Very rarely offers information that does not advance lines of argument. Demonstrates high level, detailed and critical understanding of their argument’s place in cultural policy studies.
Thesis is identified early and then systematically supported with persuasive arguments and evidence. No superfluous information. Sophisticated, detailed and critical understanding of the argument’s place in cultural policy studies.