Words:2,500 (+/- 10%, excluding reference list)
Instructions:Analyse your case study (from assessment 3) using the readings from the unit as a problem with policy or law. Focus your argument on ethics, values, the harm/offense principles or an argument for freedom of expression. Assess potential resolutions to the problems. Address potential criticisms of your argument.
You may not change topic - though you may need to change or adapt your case study incorporating feedback from assessment 3.
This assessment has a restricted reading list. You should use sources from the Perusall readings and the recommended reading list for discussion of the arguments for freedom of expression and ethics.
Do not include citations or references to sources that you have not looked up and read yourself. Learn how to cite secondary sources.
1 ATS3445 Assessment 4 marking rubric Use this rubric as a draft essay outline. Description of criterion Fail 0-49 Pass 50-59 Credit 60-69 Distinction 70-79 High Distinction 80+ Description of the topic and its importance 5% The introduction provides a description of the case study. Explain why this is an ethical issue and its social significance. It provides a statement of the argument of the essay. The topic is not relevant to the material taught in the unit. No indication of the issues involved or their significance. Evidence of plagiarism, self- plagiarism or collusion The presentation has a topic connected to ideas appropriate to the unit. Little indication of the issues involved or their significance. Summarises the case study. Appropriate topic, but the description may be a little unclear. Some attempt is made to explain the social significance. Explains how the essay will be organised. Summarises the case study. The topic is clearly related to the themes of the unit. A clear explanation of the issues involved or significance. A connection with debates about values and freedom of expression. States the argument (conclusion). Explains how the essay will be organised. Briefly describes the case study and explains this in terms of social, political or cultural significance of communication. Succinct connection with debates in the media or academic literature about values, ethics or freedom of expression. States the argument (conclusion). Explains how the essay will be organised. Case study development and academic literature review on the topic 20% You should revise and build on what you presented in Assessment 3. Do not plagiarise yourself - Remember to paraphrase and summarise your words from Assessment 3 rather than reuse sentences. Correct errors. Add relevant/missing information and academic literature from the disciplines of communications and media Based on journalism. Makes no reference to unit readings or includes superficial use of unit readings by making a generalised claim and citation without discussion. The academic literature is poorly selected and largely from outside the disciplines of communications and media Uses a variety of literature including grey literature and academic sources. Displays a superficial familiarity with themes and readings from the unit. The academic literature selected is relevant to the topic however some of it is from outside the disciplines of communications and media The case study uses a variety of grey literature including journalism, government and industry reports, and policy documents. Includes 5-10 academic references. Displays familiarity with themes and required/recommended readings from the unit and A well-developed case study that uses up-to-date relevant grey literature including journalism, government and industry reports, and policy documents. The extent of the problem and platforms/context of the problem are identified. Relevant policies and laws are identified. A sophisticated synthesis of empirical and theoretical information. The case study uses up-to- date relevant grey literature including journalism, government and industry reports, and policy documents. The extent of the problem and platforms/context of the problem are identified. 2 studies/politics/philosophy/ law. Discuss the relevant laws or policies that you think are a problem. This section should present facts about the context of the case study and findings in the relevant academic literature. Use readings from Perusall, the library recommended readings, and supplement this with independent research selected from the disciplines of communications and media studies/politics/philosophy/ law. studies/politics/philosophy/ law. Citations and references that are not the source of the information. Citations and references have been appropriated from a secondary source. Evidence of plagiarism, self- plagiarism or collusion. studies/politics/philosophy/ law. uses at least two of these readings well. The academic literature is selected from the disciplines of communications and media studies/politics/philosophy/ law. Includes 5-10 academic references. Uses literature from the unit (Perusall and the library resources) to define core concepts and discuss issues. The independently-sourced literature is selected from recent material published the disciplines of communications and media studies/politics/philosophy/ law and is relevant to the topic. Relevant policies and laws are identified and analysed. Includes 5-10 highly relevant academic references. Makes excellent use of relevant literature from the unit (Perusall and the library resources) to define core concepts and discuss issues. The independently-sourced literature is selected from the disciplines of communications and media studies/politics/philosophy/ law and is highly relevant. Presents a clear and succinct explanation of debates about the issue. Analysis of the policy problem 35% This section of the essay has a restricted reading list. Effectively, you are showing that you understand the unit and can apply the key concepts. Rewrite material from assessment 3 – don’t plagiarise yourself. Explain why there is a problem with the policy or law using sources about ethics/values/freedom of expression and harm and offense from Perusall and Does not display a familiarity with the unit. Does not use required and readings or citations and references to key arguments and ideas are vague and are indicated only by an author and date. Uses many/most key concepts incorrectly. Displays a familiarity with the unit. Some of it may not have been well understood. Discusses the issue in terms of values, ethics or argument from freedom of expression. Uses key concepts mostly correctly. Introduces a specific argument from freedom of expression and either the Displays a good understanding of some aspects of the unit although understanding may be uneven. Discusses the issue in terms of values, ethics or argument from freedom of expression. Uses key concepts mostly correctly. Displays a solid understanding of the unit and engagement with the issues and unit materials. Discusses the issue in terms of values, ethics or argument from freedom of expression. Uses literature from the unit (Perusall and the library resources) to explain core concepts and arguments. Displays an excellent understanding of the unit and a deep engagement with the issues and unit materials. Discusses the issue in terms of values, ethics or argument from freedom of expression. The discussion is based on a sophisticated understanding of readings 3 the library list. Explain these concepts in detail, showing how they apply to your case. This part might be a couple of paragraphs. Do not try to fit too many arguments or concepts into the essay. Discuss these in depth – don’t be superficial. The authors cited are misrepresented. Citations and references that are not the source of the information. Evidence of plagiarism, self- plagiarism or collusion. harm or offence principle and explains these. Makes a connection between the argument and the topic of their case study. Displays understanding through application of relevant concepts and arguments. Provides a clear explanation of the issue in terms of a conflict of values or ethics. AND/OR Provides a clear explanation of limitations or criticism of the selected argument for freedom of expression. AND/OR Provides a clear explanation of criticisms of the harm or offense principles. on Perusall and the library reading list. Detailed discussion of the issue in terms of a conflict of values or ethics. AND/OR Detailed discussion of the relevant argument(s) for freedom of expression and their limitations. AND/OR Detailed discussion of the harm or offense principles and relevant criticisms. Provides original insights and perspectives rather than just summarizing existing literature. Critical thinking about freedom of expression and resolution of the problem 20% Assess alternative perspectives about how the problem might be resolved. Assess the arguments for freedom of expression and the harm/offence principles. Explain how this problem might be best resolved. . No assessment of the strength of arguments. The assessment is insignificant with a quick sentence or assertion. Evidence of plagiarism or collusion. Most citations and references have been appropriated from a secondary source. Identifies alternative perspectives about how the problem might be resolved. Explains whether you think the arguments for freedom of expression you have discussed justify allowing the kind of expression you saw as a problem. Identifies alternative perspectives about how the problem might be resolved. Some attempt is made to assess the strength of arguments for freedom of expression or the harm or offense principle as related to the broader issues. Shows some awareness of limitations or criticisms of the argument for freedom of expression. Shows some awareness of criticisms of the harm or offense principles. Identifies alternative perspectives about how the problem might be resolved. A very good attempt to assess the strength of arguments for freedom of expression or the harm or offense principle as related to the broader issues. Reasons are supported by evidence. Identifies alternative perspectives about how the problem might be resolved. A nuanced assessment of the strength of arguments for freedom of expression or the harm or offense principle as related to the broader issues. Reasoning refers to the strength of criticisms in the academic literature, values, or is supported by evidence. Considers and address potential 4 counterarguments, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the complexities involved. Conclusion 10% The conclusion should be a summary of your entire argument. Do not introduce new information or references. Do not include quotes or paraphrases from other sources - what is important are your ideas, not those of others. No conclusion. The conclusion is based on quotation or paraphrases from another source. Evidence of plagiarism or collusion. A basic conclusion that restates what was done rather than the argument. The conclusion is significantly too short, making a single point. The conclusion introduces new information. A good conclusion that restates the main point of each step of the essay. A clear articulation of the values at stake. The conclusion restates the argument highlighting the logical connection between each section of the essay. The conclusion connects the case study to a policy problem. The conclusion indicates the conflicting moral political or social values at stake in