1 ENVI3911 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND ETHICS SEMESTER 1, 2022 SHORT ESSAY MARKING GUIDELINE/RUBRIC The purpose of this assessment task is to develop advanced skills in: written expression; presenting an articulate written argument; supporting that argument with evidence (examples, data, references); researching the academic literature on a particular topic; and relating ethical concepts with regulatory challenges. Your essay must be a formal piece of analytical, academic writing. It should have a clear structure, including an introduction and conclusion, and present an argument that responds to the essay question. You will be assessed on your argument, your engagement with the key concepts, the use of evidence to support your argument, your written expression, and your referencing. The assessment tasks are designed to ensure that you have covered and understood the materials and concepts necessary to meet the UoS learning outcomes. Essays and exams are designed to demonstrate your understanding of the course and meet the learning outcomes as they relate to principles, sources, and critique of environmental law and ethics through the communication medium of writing. The assessment criterion for written work is outlined below. Please note that this information provides guidance of the criteria used for each grade. In respect of particular pieces of assessment, appropriate variations may be made, but the overall quality required to receive each grade, as reflected in these guidelines, will essentially be the same. Assessment Criteria for Written Work (essays and exams) Fail (Below 50%) Work may fail for any or all of the following criteria: No answer or response is provided It does not address or otherwise answer the question It contains numerous minor errors or presents a significant misconception It presents irrelevant material No evidence of research or analysis demonstrated It presents a significantly inaccurate or flawed argument The answer is incomprehensible or difficult to understand due to significant problems with grammar, expression or structure. Pass (Between 50% and 64%) 2 Work awarded a passing grade will usually achieve the following minimum standards or present the described characteristics: An appropriate but superficial answer or response is provided It presents relevant material in a superficial manner or in a simplistic descriptive style It correctly identifies key point or points (facts) but does not develop an appropriate explanation or argument if this is required It contains some minor errors or presents minor inaccuracies and
misconceptions Little or no evidence of in‐depth analysis or deep understanding of the concept is presented Answers can be understood but may be poorly worded or somewhat flawed due to poor grammar, expression or structure. Credit (Between 65% and 74%) Work awarded a credit grade will usually achieve the following minimum standards or present the described characteristics: An appropriate, accurate and reasonable detailed answer or response is provided Appropriate key point or points (facts) and/or concepts clearly presented without significant errors or misconceptions It presents relevant material concisely with facts clearly integrated into the explanation Accurate quotation and/or source identification when appropriate It displays evidence of independent research or critical analysis of concept or problem The answer is easily understood with both clear expression and structure if appropriate. Distinction (Between 75% and 84%) Work awarded a distinction grade will usually achieve the following minimum standards or present the described characteristics: It accurately answers the question in a convincing, confident manner It presents relevant material accurately in a concise manner or with the facts well‐ integrated into a comprehensive explanation or argument Accurate quotation and/or source identification is provided when appropriate Evidence of extensive independent research is demonstrated Evidence of extensive critical analysis of concept, and/or innovative perspective on the topic, and/or deep understanding of problem is demonstrated Answers are well written, with clear structure and cogent expression 3 High Distinction (Above 85%) Work awarded a high distinction grade will usually achieve the following minimum standards or present the described characteristics: It accurately answers the question in an impressive, compelling, or highly persuasive manner It presents relevant material accurately in a thoroughly convincing or forceful manner or with the facts well‐integrated into an extended and comprehensive explanation or argument Accurate quotation and/or source identification is provided when appropriate Evidence of exhaustive independent research is demonstrated Evidence of extensive critical analysis of concept, and/or innovative perspective on the topic, and/or deep understanding of problem is demonstrated Answers demonstrate striking originality, an innovative approach, or impressive analytical skill Answers are exceptionally well written, with excellent structure expression It is otherwise exceptional in some way