Websites or published reports do not count towards the three peer reviewed scholarly sources. Your references should be compiled in APA citation style, an extensive guide to which can be found here: https://libguides.murdoch.edu.au/APALinks to an external site. The first reflective essay draws on Part 1 and Part 2 of the course, and should explore a particular theoretical tradition in community studies. The essay topic is: Which social science concept best explains the structure and function of a community? • The goal of this reflective essay is to select one concept in our historical survey of the field and, through applying your insights from lecture and assigned readings from Part 1 and Part 2, develop an argument for why that particular concept best explains the form and function of a specific community of your choice. We generally recommend choosing a community that you are already familiar with or are part of. • You are to define the chosen concept, reference key authors who developed the concept, and explain how you think the concept best explains the structure or function of that community. You are free to discuss the concept through a particular community you are familiar with, if you find that helpful. • Some examples of key concepts include (but not limited to): Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft, social networks, social capital, urbanization, suburbanization, technology, etc. If you would like to use a different concept from the course, please check your topic with your teaching Helpant. • Proper writing, argumentation, and APA referencing style are required. See the rubric below for more details.
Rubric Essay #1 Rubric Essay #1 Rubric Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome COMPLETENESS: Answers the entire question. 2 pts Excellent All parts of the question are answered. 1.5 pts Good Most parts of the question are answered. 0.5 pts No Marks Most parts of the question are not answered. 2 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome ORGANIZATION: Presents a solid thesis, a reasonable progression of ideas, and an appropriate conclusion. 3 pts Full Marks All of the following are done well: (1) the thesis is explicit and supported, (2) the organization of the paper is logical, and (3) has a clear conclusion that summarizes main arguments and restates the thesis. 2.4 pts Good Two of the following are done well: (1) the thesis is explicit and supported, (2) the organization of the paper is logical, and (3) has a clear conclusion that summarizes main arguments and restates the thesis. 1.5 pts Marginal Only one of the following are done well: (1) the thesis is explicit and supported, (2) the organization of the paper is logical, and (3) has a clear conclusion that summarizes main arguments and restates the thesis. 0 pts No Marks None of the following are done well: (1) the thesis is explicit and supported, (2) the organization of the paper is logical, and (3) has a clear conclusion; OR there is general lack of coherence throughout. 3 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome DEVELOPMENT: An argument supporting the thesis is developed throughout. 3 pts Full Marks The essay develops the thesis throughout by supportive arguments and logical transitions (e.g. topic sentences). 2.4 pts Good Most sections of the essay serve the development of the thesis, and transitions are good (e.g. topic sentences). 1.5 pts Marginal The essay’s development poorly advances the thesis and transitions are jumpy or nonexistent OR there is insufficient evidence to support the thesis. 0 pts No Marks The argument is not developed or supported, or there is no evident thesis to support. 3 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome READINGS: Includes and cites specific examples from the assigned reading material. 3 pts Full Marks Demonstrates critical Assessment of sources through tight integration of quotes, ideas, and pieces of information from at least 3 relevant, assigned readings from class. All in-text citations are correctly formatted. 2.4 pts Good Demonstrates critical Assessment of sources through tight integration of quotes, ideas, and pieces of information from at least 2 relevant, assigned readings from class, or incorrectly formats 2 or more in-text citations. 1.5 pts Marginal Demonstrates critical Assessment of sources through tight integration of quotes, ideas, and pieces of information from at least 1 relevant, assigned reading from class, or incorrectly formats 1 or more in-text citations. 0 pts No Marks No readings are cited. 3 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome EXAMPLES: Demonstrates original thinking and includes the best examples to support the arguments. See here for tips on how to give examples: http://ieltsliz.com/how-to-put-examples-in-your-essay/Links to an external site. 3 pts Full Marks Demonstrates original thinking by using strong examples from at least two of the following: (1) use of additional readings, data, maps, etc. from non-assigned academic sources, (2) connections made between lecture, discussion, readings, and/or their experiences, or (3) development of a novel argument. 2.4 pts Good Demonstrates original thinking by using strong examples from at least one of the following: (1) use of additional readings, data, maps, etc. from non-assigned academic sources, (2) connections made between lecture, discussion, readings, and/or their experiences, or (3) development of a novel argument. 1.5 pts Marginal No original ideas nor examples to support argument present; the essay is a composite of facts gleaned from other sources (whether cited or not). 0 pts No Marks No explicit demonstration of original thinking nor use of additional sources for examples to support argument. 3 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome ACCURACY: Essay is factually accurate. 3 pts Full Marks Has no factual inaccuracies nor gross overgeneralizations. 2.4 pts Good Has a few (1-4) factual inaccuracies or gross overgeneralizations. 1.5 pts Marginal Has a large number (5-8) of factual inaccuracies or gross overgeneralizations. 0 pts No Marks Is filled with inaccuracies or gross overgeneralizations (9+). 3 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome MECHANICS: Proper grammar,* writing style, paragraph structure, citation style, and layout. * includes syntax, punctuation, and orthography 3 pts Full Marks Demonstrates proper grammar,* writing style, paragraph structure, citation style, and layout. 2.4 pts Good Demonstrates mostly proper grammar,* writing style, paragraph structure, citation style, and layout. 1.5 pts Marginal Grammar,* writing style, paragraph structure, citation style, and/or layout are generally poor. 0 pts No Marks Grammar,* writing style, paragraph structure, citation style, and/or layout are very poor. 3 pts Total Points: 20

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