7018HUM The Changing Character of War and Terrorism
Assignment Brief
Coursework Title: CW1 Short Essay
Coursework Number:
CW 1
Module Leader:
Email:
Hand-in date and time:
2200hrs, Thursday 27th June 2024
Module Staff: names and email: n/a Email: n/a
Individual assignment
Word Count:
1200 (+-10%)
This assignment counts for: 5 credits of the Module Mark
Online submission
Mark and Feedback date: 14-day turnaround
Mark and Feedback method: posted online via Aula
Drawing on the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, this short essay will argue that drones have revolutionized modern warfare, altering the very essence of trench warfare.Reflecting on recent events in Gaza, this short essay will argue that counter terrorism remains deeply rooted in realist protection of the state ahead of liberal notions of human security.
Generative AI
You are welcome to engage with AI just as you would talk to me during my office hours. Feel free to ask AI questions, brainstorm ideas, request reading recommendations, or seek feedback on your essay structure. However, please note that any other use of AI beyond these boundaries is not permitted. This includes asking AI to design your essay, paraphrase external texts, enhance your existing content, translate text, or, most importantly, write the essay on your behalf.
Sources
You must have at least one citation every 4/5 lines of text
Books
The only book you may use in your assignment is the core textbook for the module:
Williams, P. D., & McDonald, M. (Eds.). (2023). Security studies: An introduction. London: Routledge. A digital copy is available via the following link: https://locate.coventry.ac.uk/permalink/f/1r06c36/COV_ALMA51189583230002011
When you cite the core textbook, you must ensure you include the page number e.g. (Pillar, 2023, p.454)
Websites
Official News or Government websites ONLY. E.g., BBC News, CNN, Al-Jazeera, UK Parliament. You may not cite blogs, social media, twitter, Wikipedia, spark notes ect..
Journal Articles
You must include a minimum of SIX journal articles in your essay and all citations must follow APA 7th Edition – this includes both page number and DOI link.
For example:
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine that began in February 2022 has witnessed the deployment of thousands of unmanned drones in a variety of missions (Kunertova, 2023, p.578)
According to Kunertova (2023), during the war in Ukraine, thousands of unmanned drones have performed a variety of missions (p.578)
Module Learning Outcomes
Assessed in this assignment?
LO1:
Demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current debates addressing the changing nature of war and terrorism
Yes
LO2
Evaluate critically the complexities (causes, conduct and consequences) of the use of force in international relations.
No
LO3
Exhibit a conceptual understanding of how the changing character of war relates to diplomacy and international relations
No
You will find full details of how these Learning Outcomes will be assessed by this assignment in the marking rubric at the end of this brief. You should read this as it explains how submitted work achieves certain grades. It will be useful in preparing your assignment as well as in understanding your feedback.
Marking Process and Feedback
The completed blog post will be marked by the module leader online via Turnitin. There will be inline comments along with an overall 250-word summary. Marks will be released once they have been moderated by an independent member of the teaching staff.
Ethics
The ethical issues associated with this assignment brief will be covered during the module teaching and are overseen by the module staff team. The work that you will carry out on this module does not require you to obtain individual ethical clearance for your individual project. However, during discussion with your module tutor, if it is felt that individual ethical authorization is needed, you will be advised of the process and the deadline for obtaining it.
Extensions and Mitigating Circumstances
We want you to do your best in each assessment. However, we know that sometimes events happen that are either beyond your control or not easy to predict and which mean that you will not be able to submit your coursework by the deadline. If this happens, you can apply for an extension to your deadline according to our regulations. If you need longer than the extension window, you can apply for a deferral, which takes you to the next assessment period. You must apply for an extension or a deferral before the assignment deadline stated on SONIC.
Apply for an extension or deferral at: mitigation.fah@coventry.ac.uk or by speaking in person to a member of the Registry Team.
Find information about the process and what is/is not considered to be an event beyond your control here
Please note: under no circumstances are module staff allowed to give unofficial extensions.
Late or non-submission
You must make every effort to submit the best work possible prior to the deadline. If your assignment is submitted online, please do not leave it until the last minute to submit. Aim to several hours prior the deadline, or earlier, in case you have any problems submitting.
If you fail to submit work for the module or submit an assessed piece of work late without an agreed extension, you will receive a mark of 0% for that piece of work, even if it is only a few minutes late. You will however be eligible for a re-sit attempt at the next available assessment opportunity where, if you pass, your mark will be capped at 40%.
If you fail the resit assignment, or do not hand in any submission, you one further resit attempt at the assignment. After a second failed/non-submitted resit attempt you will have failed the module. This may have an impact on your ability to progress on your course and/or on your final marks for your degree.
If you fail this assignment on the first submission, the resit brief for the module can be found on the module’s Aula space. Read this brief carefully and book a tutorial with the Module Leader to ensure that you are clear about what you need to do to pass the module at the next resit opportunity.
Academic Misconduct
We expect all students to act with academic integrity, which means that they will study and produce work in an open, honest and responsible manner.
Academic misconduct covers any action by a student to gain unfair advantage (e.g. extra marks) for her/himself, or for another student, in their assessed work. It not only damages your personal reputation, but also the reputation of the entire university, and it will not be tolerated at Coventry University. There are severe penalties for students who are found guilty of academic misconduct ranging from obtaining a mark of 0% for the piece of work concerned, through to exclusion from the University.
Many modules require you to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the work of others (artists, makers, practitioners, academics, designers, performers, etc.). It is vital that you make it absolutely clear when you are using work from other sources, and that you reference it clearly and correctly. If you are unsure how to reference, please refer to the CU Harvard Referencing Guide here and speak to a tutor on the module immediately.
Support for correct referencing can also be found though the Centre for Academic Writing (CAW).
For full details of what constitutes academic dishonesty and how to avoid it, please see the section in the Faculty Student Handbook, available on your course’s Aula space.
Assessment Criteria
There are standard University Assessment criteria that you can use to assist with understanding the mark you receive for this assignment. You can find these here.
The criteria that are specific to this assignment are as follows:
GUIDE TO MARKING CRITERIA
Mark band
Outcome
Guidelines
90-100%
Distinction
Meets learning outcomes
Distinction – Exceptional work with very high degree of rigour, creativity and critical/analytic skills. Mastery of knowledge and subject-specific theories with originality and autonomy. Demonstrates exceptional ability to analyse and apply concepts within the complexities and uncertainties of the subject/discipline.
Innovative research with exceptional ability in the utilisation of research methodologies. Demonstrates, creativity, originality and outstanding problem-solving skills. Work completed with very high degree of accuracy, proficiency and autonomy. Exceptional communication and expression demonstrated throughout. Student evidences the full range of technical and/or artistic skills. Work pushes the boundaries of the discipline and may be strongly considered for external
publication/dissemination/presentation.
80-89%
Distinction
Distinction – Outstanding work with high degree of rigour, creativity and critical/analytic skills. Near mastery of knowledge and subject-specific theories with originality and autonomy. Demonstrates outstanding ability to analyse and apply concepts within the complexities and uncertainties of the subject/discipline.
Innovative research with outstanding ability in the utilisation of research methodologies. Work consistently demonstrates creativity, originality and outstanding problem-solving skills. Work completed with high degree of accuracy, proficiency and autonomy. Outstanding communication and expression demonstrated throughout. Student demonstrates a very wide range of technical and/or artistic skills. With some amendments, the work may be considered for external publication/dissemination/presentation
70-79%
Distinction
Distinction – Excellent work undertaken with rigour, creativity and critical/analytic skills. Excellent degree of knowledge and subject-specific theories with originality and autonomy demonstrated. The work exhibits excellent ability to analyse and apply concepts within the complexities and uncertainties of the subject/discipline.
Innovative research with excellent ability in the utilisation of research methodologies. Work demonstrates creativity, originality and excellent problem-solving skills. Work completed with very consistent levels of accuracy, proficiency and autonomy. Excellent communication and expression demonstrated throughout. Student demonstrates a very wide range of technical and/or artistic skills.
60-69%
Merit
Merit – Very good work often undertaken with rigour, creativity and critical/analytic skills. Very good degree of knowledge and subject- specific theories with some originality and autonomy demonstrated. The work often exhibits the ability to fully analyse and apply concepts within the complexities and uncertainties of the subject/discipline.
Very good research evidence and shows very good ability in the utilisation of research methodologies. Work demonstrates creativity, originality and problem-solving skills. Work completed with very consistent levels of accuracy, proficiency and autonomy. Very good communication and expression demonstrated throughout. Student demonstrates a wide range of technical and/or artistic skills.
50-59%
Pass
Pass – Good work undertaken with some creativity and critical/analytic skills. Demonstrates knowledge and subject-specific theories with some originality and autonomy demonstrated. The work exhibits the ability to analyse and apply concepts within the complexities and uncertainties of the subject/discipline.
Good research and shows some ability in the utilisation of research methodologies. Work demonstrates problem-solving skills and is completed with some level of accuracy, proficiency and autonomy. Satisfactory communication and expression demonstrated throughout.
Student demonstrates some of the technical and/or artistic skills.
40-49%
Pass
Pass – Assessment demonstrates some advanced knowledge and understanding of the subject informed by current practice, scholarship and research. Work may be incomplete with some irrelevant material present. Sometimes demonstrates the ability to analyse and apply concepts within the complexities and uncertainties of the subject/discipline.
Acceptable research with evidence of basic ability in the utilisation of research methodologies. Demonstrates some originality, creativity and problem-solving skills but often with inconsistencies. Expression and presentation sufficient for accuracy and proficiency. Sufficient communication and expression with professional skill set. Student demonstrates some technical and/or artistic skills.
30-39%
Fail
Fails to achieve learning outcomes
Fail – Very limited understanding of relevant theories, concepts and issues with deficiencies in rigour and analysis. Some relevant material may be present but be informed from very limited sources. Fundamental errors and some misunderstanding likely to be present. Demonstrates limited ability to analyse and apply concepts within the complexities and uncertainties of the subject/discipline.
Limited research scope and ability in the utilisation of research methodologies. Limited originality, creativity, and struggles with problem-solving skills. Expression and presentation insufficient for accuracy and proficiency. Insufficient communication and expression and with deficiencies in professional skill set. Student demonstrates deficiencies in the range of technical and/or artistic skills.
20-29%
Fail –
Fail – Clear failure demonstrating little understanding of relevant theories, concepts, issues and only a vague knowledge of the area. Little relevant material may be present and informed from very limited sources. Serious and fundamental errors and virtually no evidence of relevant research. Fundamental errors and misunderstandings likely to be present.
Little or no research with no evidence of utilisation of research methodologies. No originality, creativity, and struggles with problem- solving skills. Expression and presentation insufficient for accuracy and proficiency. Insufficient communication and expression and with serious deficiencies in professional skill set. Student has clear deficiencies in range of technical and/or artistic skills.
0-19%
Fail
Fail – Clear failure demonstrating no understanding of relevant theories, concepts, issues and no understanding of area. Little or no relevant material may be present and informed from minimal sources. No evidence of ability in the utilisation of research methodologies. No evidence of originality, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Expression and presentation deficient for accuracy and proficiency. Insufficient communication and expression and with deficiencies in professional skill set. Student has clear deficiencies in range of technical and/or artistic skills.
Marking rubric
GRADE
RESEARCH & KNOWLEDGE
ANALYSIS & ARGUMENT
STRUCTURE & COMMUNICATION
SUMMARY
Distinction 90-100%
Innovative relevant contemporary research with exceptional ability in the utilisation of research methodologies.
Wide range of sources used, going beyond the recommended texts, and including scholarly articles, official reports, and case studies.
Mastery of knowledge and awareness of current problems/ insights, related to the processes and definition of the research topic.
Exceptional work with a very high degree of rigour, creativity, and critical/analytic evaluation of causes of the research topic, responses, and strategies.
Demonstrates exceptional ability to synthesise and analyse information and apply relevant concepts within the complexities and uncertainties of the research topic.
Demonstrates creativity, originality, and outstanding problem-solving skills.
Work completed with very high degree of accuracy, proficiency, and autonomy.
Very clearly organised and logically structured, following through a coherent essay from aims to conclusion.
Very well written, with good command of presentation grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation.
Wide range of appropriately supporting evidence provided, which is accurately and consistently referenced throughout.
Exceptional communication and expression demonstrated throughout.
An outstanding, well- structured, and appropriately referenced essay, demonstrating a high degree of understanding of the processes of the research topic and the current problems.
Clear critical analysis and evaluation and argument throughout.
Work pushes the boundaries of the discipline and may be strongly considered for external publication/dissemination/ presentation.
Meets learning outcomes.
