Globalisation : Essay Preparation

Students are required to write an essay on one of the subjects below. The length of the essay should be no less than 2,000 and no more than 2,500 words.

(These are absolute word limits)

 

Essay Questions:

 

1. 1. International Aid and Globally directed development projects do not work. Discuss this statement, remembering to include arguments on both sides of the debate and their relevance to multi-lateral aid and development.

 

2. Global governance is an effective mechanism to combat climate change and environmental issues. Discuss this statement in the light of Global Governance and Globalisation, remembering to include arguments on both sides of the debate.

 

3. Globalisation has been a liberating and democratising force for civil society. Discuss this statement, remembering to include arguments on both sides of the debate.

 

4. Multiculturalism is compatible with civic unity. Discuss this statement with reference to culture, identity and its impact on globalisation, remembering to include arguments on both sides of the debate.

 

5. 5. It is in the interests of all states to obey international law and humanitarian interventions. Discuss this statement, remembering to include arguments on both sides of the debate.

 

6. Human Rights are simply a form of western cultural imperialism. Discuss this statement, remembering to include arguments on both sides of the debate, with particular focus on Global Governance and Globalisation.

 

Essay Format

The fonts of the essay should be either Arial (size 12) and the line spacing 1.15 or 1.5. The essay should be submitted to Turnitin before the submission deadline.

Important points

• The essay should have a thesis statement that provides a direct answer to the question.
• The essay should have a logical structure.
• The essay should be organised into paragraphs.
• The essay may have subheadings to clearly highlight different sections. However, you should not have a subheading for every paragraph.
• At least seven sources should be used. Sources are academic books, academic journal articles, reliable online websites and resources. Wikipedia is not considered a reliable source and should not

Think carefully about what each question is asking. Remember to consider:

 

• The relevant content / topic

 

• The question instructions

 

Revisit the content of the relevant subject area on your Globalisation module and read the chapter in Heywood for that week.

 Online research:

 

 

The Libraries: Information Commons and Western Bank

 

Locate books in the Library and academic journal articles online using the StarPlus library search engine:

 

StarPlus: http://find.shef.ac.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?dscnt=1&dstmp=1325780247260&vid=SFD_VU2&fromLogin=true

 

Research tips:

 

• Use the citations, reference lists and bibliographies of the books you use to find more useful sources

 

• Look at the ‘Contents’ page for key words

 

• Look in the index at the back of the book for key concepts and thinkers

 

Think carefully about the keywords you can use to search for sources. You can use the key concepts, but also think about key thinkers and more detailed concepts with the larger theories.

 

Are you familiar with following online search engines?

• JSTOR
• International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS)
• Web of Knowledge (WoK)

 

You should use these to find relevant academic journal articles. This is how you can access them:

 

• Log into MUSE
• Click on ‘My services’ at the top of the page, and then on ‘StarPlus – Library Catalogue’
• Click on the ‘Articles and Databases’ tab. Doing this should bring up an additional tab to the right called ‘Find Databases’. Click on this.
• A window will pop up will the alphabet running horizontally.

 

• To access JSTOR, click on ‘J’ and scroll down until you see ‘JSTOR’, and click on this.
• To access IBSS, click on ‘I’ and you will see ‘IBSS via ProQuest’ at the top; click on this.
• To access WoK, click on ‘W’ and you will see ‘Web of Knowledge’ the third down; click on this.

 

• You will be redirected to a University page, and on the right of the screen there will be a ‘Quick Links’ section. Click on ‘connect to [the database you want to use]. This will direct you to the database, and you can start searching.

 

 

SECTION 2:  ESSAY PLANNING AND STRUCTURE

 

Essays should have an introduction paragraph which provides your answer to the question (thesis statement). Do not just repeat the question! Actually, write your overall answer at the beginning of the essay! Your introduction should outline the structure of the essay (methodology), to show that you have thought logically about the question. Your introduction should also contain brief definitions of the key concepts that will be discussed in the essay and help explain your thesis statement.

 

You should then focus on the main body of the essay. This should include several paragraphs that provide the detailed answer to the question. Each paragraph should add something new to the essay. Avoid repeating points you have already made. The main body should have a logical structure – make sure you organise what you want to write before starting. Try to include examples as you discuss the concepts, to show your understanding (PEE).

 

Your essay should finish with a conclusion. This should be a re-statement of your answer to the question. You should not discuss anything new in your conclusion.

 

Good essays will be able to combine information and utilise the relevant topics discussed throughout this module. Use of appropriate examples to illustrate and support points raised will enhance the quality of the argument and analysis.

 

Plan your structure

 

• Using your notes and any other sources you have, start a plan for your essay. Use whatever technique you prefer – brainstorming, mind-mapping, linear note-making etc.

 

• Think about:

1. What the question is asking
2. The key concepts and key thinkers
3. The order that you will discuss the concepts
4. Your argument / answer to the question / thesis statement

 

Your Essay should contain the following:

 

• Introduction – including Definitions of Key Concepts

Thesis Statement

Methodology

 

• Main Body – logical arguments and explanations with in-text citations and

relevant examples.

Include all sides of the argument to ensure balance.

 

• Conclusion – Review of the arguments and Re-statement or Revision of

your Thesis Statement.