School of Social and Political Sciences

Assessment Overview:

Take-Home Test. 1,000 words.

Worth 25% of your overall grade.

Due Date:

11.59pm, Monday 4 November 2024 – Online only through Turnitin, LMS (Canvas).

Assessment Objectives:

The purpose of this assessment is to demonstrate your ability to draw upon key perspectives, themes and examples from this subject and the required readings. Take-home tests allow students to demonstrate the breadth of their knowledge of this subject.

Questions:

Students must select only THREE questions from the following five to answer:

1. How is ‘institutional racism’ related to sport?

2. What is ‘religious lite’?

3. Why has contemporary sociological research moved away from viewing the internet as a place for our ‘second selves’?

4. What is ‘inclusive masculinity’?

5. Why are some sociologists critical of the argument that the shift away from secure work has been primarily driven by the preferences of workers?

Marking Criteria:

1. Interpretation of the questions as they relate to this subject’s content

2. A clear argument and structure

3. Critical analysis and synthesis of concepts, data and examples from across the course materials.
4. Use of data and examples to build your argument.

5. Clear, comprehensible and academic writing style.

6. Referencing according to School guidelines, including a complete reference list at the end of the test.

Marking Rubric:

The marking rubric is available under the heading ‘Assessment’ on the Modules page on Canvas, as well as with this prompt under ‘Tutorings’.

Sources to use for this assessment:

The required readings are the primary material you will need to complete this test. You may use further references, such as recommended readings but you will not receive any extra credit for this. For this test, it is acceptable to cite the lectures. However, it is not essential to do this and if you do, they should be used to complement and connect the required readings, rather than being used as your main source of information. If you do cite the lectures, there is no need to put them in your end reference list. Just reference them in-text in a way that is broadly consistent with your other in-text references. For example: (Woodman 2024, Week 12 Lecture).

You should aim to use at least three references for each question. Making quality links between the materials presented in this subject is more important than quantity. However, as this test asks you to demonstrate the breadth of your knowledge, we want to see a good range of subject material throughout your test.

This test focuses on your knowledge of the subject material and no outside sources at all are required. If you do want to briefly connect the required readings and concepts from the subject to contemporary examples/issues, it is fine to just mention these examples/issues without sources. Given the short time frame and the focus of this test on subject material, we are not expecting you to do research on examples/issues from outside of the subject. If you do bring in specific information from sources when you’re bringing in examples, they should be acknowledged. However, if you do bring in any sources from outside of the subject, keep them to an absolute minimum. You have limited words for each response, so make sure that all/nearly all of these words are focused on the subject material.

Referencing:

Your answers should be properly referenced, with an in-text reference each time you use an idea from a source and a final reference list with the sources cited in-text. You

can have a reference list after each question, or an overall reference list at the end of your test, with all of the sources used across your three answers. Either way is fine but make sure that you are acknowledging the sources you use.

We don’t have a particular referencing style that we require you to use in this subject, but make sure that you are accurate and consistent with one of the in-text referencing styles listed on the library’s Re:cite page. Whatever referencing style you use, make sure you include page numbers with your in-text references, for direct quotes at the very least. If your style doesn’t include this, modify it so it does. This also applies to lectures. If you’re directly quoting lecture slides, acknowledge which slide you’re quoting from. For example: (Woodman 2024, Week 12 Lecture, slide 11). While page numbers and slide numbers are only required for direct quotes, the more often you include them with your in-text references the better. Doing so will assist us with working out where you are getting your information from. This is beneficial for you as well, because it enables you to more clearly demonstrate your understanding of the subject material. It is also useful in resolving AI investigations, as including page numbers can more clearly show that you are getting your information legitimately, rather than having automatically generated sources through AI use. There is more information on AI use below.

Structure:

This is not an essay and you have a limited number of words, so a full introduction and conclusion are not required. However, dot points are not acceptable. Write in paragraph form – approximately 2-3 paragraphs per question. You can have more introductory/concluding sentences as part of your paragraphs but you certainly don’t need a stand-alone introduction or conclusion.

Please make sure that before each response you clearly indicate which question you’re answering.

Word count:

Your word count is measured across your test overall, rather than for each response. This means that your combined word count for your three answers should be between 900 and 1,100 words (1,000 words +/-10%). There is not a set word limit for each question but 300-350 words is a rough guide and it is best to split the words roughly equally between your three answers, so you have the space to answer each question well. In-text references and direct quotations are included in the word count. Your reference list/s are not included in the word count.

Will answering more than three questions lead to a higher mark?

No. Make sure that you only answer three questions. If any students answer four or five questions, we'll just mark the first three responses. This means that answering more than three questions will just lead to wasted words that won’t be marked. It will also mean that you won’t be able to score as highly for the three questions that will be marked, as those responses won’t have enough words to adequately show your understanding of those topics. Again, make sure that you follow the instructions and answer three questions only.

Questions about the test?

This is a test rather than an Tutoring, so there are different policies regarding asking teaching staff questions. You certainly can’t ask your tutor which readings to draw on for a particular question, which topic a question relates to etc. This is up to you to work out, based on what you have learnt throughout the subject. So just interpret the questions as well as you can and answer them to the best of your ability. If you don’t understand a certain question, choose another one. Focus on the three questions that make the most sense to you and that you think you can provide the best answers to. If you experience any Canvas-related issues, you’re welcome to contact the Lead Coordinator Nick Pendergrast (nicholas.pendergrast@unimelb.edu.au). But outside of that, it is up to you to complete the test without any assistance/guidance from teaching staff, beyond this prompt and the other advice provided on Canvas.

Extensions/Late Tests?

This assessment is a test, meaning that there are no extensions. If there is a really good reason why you can’t complete the test within the specified time, you’ll need to apply for Special Consideration. If granted, you will sit a test with different questions at a later date.

Because this is a test, the usual 5% per day late penalty does not apply. The penalties for late submission are much harsher. If you miss the deadline, your test will still be marked but with a maximum 50% score. For example, if you get 55%, you’ll end up with a score of 50% because it was submitted late, if you get 75% you’ll still end up with 50% etc. Please keep in mind that things often take longer than you expect, so we encourage you not to aim to submit it by 11.59pm on Monday the 4^th. Rather, it is a good idea to aim much earlier, such as the afternoon or early evening of the 4^th. This will allow you some extra time if things take longer than you expect or if there are any Canvas/internet delays etc. As with the first two assessments, computer/internet issues are not acceptable grounds for late submission, so please make sure you allow extra time for any issues that may come up.

AI use:

It is not permitted to use text generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) as your own work. For more information on university policies on this issue, see the following links: Artificial intelligence tools and technologies and Advice for students regarding Turnitin and AI writing detection. The prohibition on AI also includes using AI technology for grammar, such as Grammarly. If you’d like to refine your writing, improve your proof-reading skills through drawing on the resources provided by Academic Skills, rather than using AI. You can also see the SSPS Essay Writing Guide (available under the heading ‘Assessment’ on the Modules page on Canvas, as well as with this prompt under ‘Tutorings’) for guidance on this issue, as well as referencing. The prohibition on AI also includes writing your essay in a language other than English and then using AI to translate your whole essay or large parts of it into English. If you’re struggling with English, develop your English language skills through the resources provided by Academic Skills, rather than using AI. Keep in mind that translation software is acceptable to use for translating individual words that you come across throughout the semester. What is not acceptable is having large parts of your essay translated using AI.

Plagiarism:

This is an individual assessment. Students should be fully aware of the regulations regarding plagiarism – details are in the subject guide on Canvas (see pages 32-33) and throughout the university student systems. Plagiarism includes using other people’s work without acknowledgement. Also be mindful of self-plagiarism. While it is fine to have a little bit overlap between your assessments, make sure you avoid the significant repetition of content across your submitted assessments. This includes assessments within this subject but also assessments from other subjects that you have taken. There is no excuse for plagiarism. The penalties are severe – it is not worth the risk.

Further guidance:

You can see the Tutoring 3 page under ‘Tutorings’ on Canvas for tips for undertaking the take-home test and an example test.