Assignment Task
2. THE ASSIGNMENT
For Assignment 1 there are two questions. You must choose and answer ONE of these two questions. The assignment as a whole will be assessed using the rubric below and counts 100 marks in total. You have to write an academic essay of 750 words. Your essay should be as short as possible but you need to include all the essential elements. If necessary, it is better to slightly exceed the number of words, rather than leaving the essay incomplete. Give the necessary bibliography of at least 6 sources (NWU-Harvard style). Also make use of the rubric below to guide your thoughts. Marks for assignment 1 will be awarded by means of peer assessment by fellow students, and moderated by the lecturer. Marks are assigned according to the following categories:
1 Biographical issues 6 marks
2 Language and Writing 8 marks
3 Reasoning 6 marks
4 Introducing and problem statement 5 marks
6 Definitions and keywords are explained 5 marks
7 Critical discussions of theory/worldview 15 marks
8 Examples, scenarios/ cases are given 10 marks
9 Examples are discussed in terms of the theory/worldview 10 marks
10 Conclusion 10 marks
Total for essay: 100 marks
Suppose you were appointed as the curator of a social science museum. The director of the museum asks you to contribute an academic essay to the museum’s archives on the topic education in modern society. In your essay you must point out a social issue in the curriculum and debate how the knowledge of worldviews can be used to understand and resolve conflict as a result of this social issue. You have the choice between two themes:
Theme 1: Infusing indigenous knowledge in the curriculum.
Theme 2: The tension between spirituality and science.
You must identify issues that originate in education owing to conflicting worldviews and ideologies. Take a personal stance on the issue from your own worldview as primary perspective (refer to the worldview test).
Examples of issues to consider include:
• develop skills to address multicultural issues in classrooms
• reflect on strategies that could enhance parental involvement in different school con-
texts
• timeously identify signals of school decline and counteract the causes and effects of
school decline
• understand their roles in creating gender-sensitive education practices and encour-
age gender equality in education spaces 4
• develop awareness of how interreligious dialogue can be implemented to attain
learners’ religious diversity within the classroom
• to develop an understanding of the factors that contribute to the high prevalence of
violence in schools.
What cannot be missing from your essay is (1) a relevant title, (2) a brief introduction, (3) what the main problem or question is that you are addressing, (3) what argument/solution you are proposing.
For Assignment 2 you have to opportunity to rewrite/refine your Assignment 1 submission based on the feedback you received through the peer assessment. You have to write an academic essay of 1000 words. What cannot be missing from your essay is (1) a relevant title, (2) a brief introduction, (3) what the main problem or question is that you are addressing, (3) what argument/solution you are proposing, (4) identify the issues regarding modernity and post-modernity that could arise from your solution and (5) explain how an integrative worldview can be shaped by means of your proposed solution. In essence, Assignment 2 is a continuation of Assignment 1. The same rubric will also be used to assess Assignment 2. 5
More guidelines for Assignments
Apply the following guidelines as far as possible:
1. Never copy directly from a source! Always paraphrase or rewrite the information in your own words and give the reference to the source from which the information is taken.
2. When quoting two sources, do the following: According to Scott (1991:10) and Bandura (1987:15) the ………….; OR Motivation is an important variable that influences …. (Scott, 1991:10; Bandura, 1987:15). Also remember that if a source has two authors, you must recognise both, e.g. this is the end (Jones & Smith, 1990:10). Always give the author’s surname followed by a comma, the date of publication followed by a colon: and the page number. First names are omitted.
3. If you use information from a book or article, whether such information is a direct quotation (e.g. According to Bandura (1990:1): “. “,) or your own synthesis of
what Bandura says, you must refer to that book or article e.g. Bandura (1992:1) said that references must always be given in the beginning or at the end of a sentence or paragraph.
4. If reference to an author’s work is made, the reference to the source must be given directly after the name of the author, e.g. According to Schunk (1965:5)….
5. It is important to use primary sources as far as possible. It is a sign of weakness (if not also of laziness!) if too many secondary sources are used. It is your responsibility to make sure that you find and study as many primary sources as possible. If you use primary sources it will not be necessary to refer to a source as Hard-Working (1910, quoted by Lazy, 2000:5).
6. Never write a single sentence if you do not understand what you are writing! Reread and study the information until you are sure that you understand it. Only then rephrase or say it in your own words. Don’t take chances or try your luck by writing a sentence which you do not understand.
7. Write in full sentences and make sure that each sentence makes sense.
The following three aspects are very important!
11. If you define a concept, e.g. learning strategies study as many definitions of the concept as possible. Categorise or classify the definitions according to the different views from which the concept is defined. Give only one or two definitions of each category to illustrate each view with the necessary references. After this has been done, give your (own) definition of the concept (which should be a synthesis of the definitions), as it is to be used in the assignment.
12. If the concept is not defined from different viewpoints, give some examples of how it is defined (always with the necessary references!) and conclude with a single integrated definition of the concept.
13. Think before you write something. Learn to evaluate and criticise your own work. Never be satisfied with something of poor quality. Always strive for quality!
14. Try not to begin a sentence or paragraph with words such as “This”, “They”, “It”, “He”, “She”, etc. These are vague words that do not contribute to clarity of communication.
15. Write for ordinary people and don’t try to make an impression! Thus, use simple and plain language.
6
Technical requirements for all assignments
Use the following formatting:
• Font: either Times New Roman or Arial (Note the difference between the two fonts!)
• Font Size: If typed in Arial the font size must be 10. If typed in Times New Roman the font size must be 12.
• All paragraphs must be justified.
• Line spacing: 11/2 or double spacing if 11/2 line-spacing is not possible d due to technical reasons.
• Margins: left 1 cm and top, bottom and right 3 cm.
• Page numbers: either at the top or bottom of the page, but preferably in the middle of the page.
3. All headings must be numbered numerically and be typed in bold.
4. All assignments must be language edited.
5. References and the bibliography must satisfy the requirements as explained in
Van der Walt: Quoting Sources. – follow the NWU Harvard reference style
6. Proof-read your assignments before you submit them for evaluation
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