Coursework Assignment Brief Semester: Module Code: Module Title: Programme Level: Awarding Body: Module Leader Format: Presentation: Any special requirements: Word Limit: Deadline date for submission: Learning outcomes to be examined in this assessment Autumn 2014 POG 212 International Energy Policy BSc (Honours) Level 5 University of Plymouth Dr Kenneth Aidelojie Essay No All work should be submitted on the Student Portal along with an acceptable Turnitin Report. 2,000 words (with 10% plus or minus leeway) 30th November 2014    Critically analyse the factors affecting the content of international agreements for the oil and gas industry Critically examine the framework of the energy policies. Demonstrate the key global challenges and issues facing the world oil and gas industry and the factors affecting the long term prospects

Percentage of marks awarded for module: Assessment criteria Content, style, relevance, originality,

This assignment is worth 50% of the total marks for the module Explanatory comments on the assessment criteria Clear demonstration of rigorous research from recognised authoritative sources.
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Maximum marks for each section 50%

Structure Format, referencing, bibliography Constructive critical analysis, introduction, conclusion Harvard Demonstration of a clear understanding of the issues. Use of academic models. 10% 40%

Candidates must clearly label their ID Number on additional separate reference, formula or answer sheets.

Assignment Question “Using the SWOT analytical tool, critically analyse the impact of the exploration of unconventional oil or gas or any one of the renewable energy sources on the energy policy of a country of your choice.”

Total marks for assignment: 100 Marks

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Assignment outline

This is an individual assignment and must be presented in a report format (2,000 words). It is important that your report is properly structured. Also, as this is an academic paper, you should draw on contemporary literature to support your paper. Remember that this individual report accounts for 50% of your module assessment. Hence, bad performance will have a big impact on this module. An executive summary is not necessary in a report of this size.

Your report should include references to appropriate process technology and e-business literature (textbooks, journals and websites). Care should be taken when consulting websites as they are not all equally authoritative (for example Wikipedia is not peer-reviewed; therefore is not considered an academic reference website). A minimum of 5 different academic references must be cited, but a well-researched report is likely to cite many more.

You are advised to keep a backup copy of the report until you receive your grade and regularly back-up your work in the cloud (OneDrive, iCloud, Dropbox and GoogleDrive are good examples). A disk crash is not an acceptable reason for late submission. Below is an indicative structure for your essay:

Title Page Assignment title, module code, full name and student code, as well as submission date. Introduction This should show that you have fully understood the brief and that you are going to cover everything required. Findings and Analysis  This is the substance of your report. The structure will vary depending on the material being presented. Headings and sub-headings should be used to indicate clearly the different sections.  The following headings may help to add structure: situation; problem; solution; evaluation. It is not sufficient simply to describe a situation. Analysis and a critical approach are essential.  The required analytical framework should be premised on identifying and using different Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats associated with either the exploration of unconventional oil and gas or the use of any renewable energy resource on the chosen country’s energy policy.  Charts, diagrams and tables can be used to reinforce your arguments, although it may be better to include the more complex ones as an appendix.

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Conclusions These draw out the implications of your findings. Deductions are based on the facts described in the findings and analysis. Remember not to include any new material here.

Reference List / Bibliography The terms reference list and bibliography are sometimes used interchangeably, but here we define the terms as:   Bibliography - a list of consulted readings, for example a list of textbook sources, that you have studied while composing your essay, but not specifically cited in the text Reference list - a list of cited sources.

Appendices Detailed documentation of points made in the findings. Examples include: technical data, questionnaires, letters sent, tables, charts or leaflets. An appendix contains supplementary information that you consider to be too long, complicated or not quite relevant to include in the main section of the report, but is still relevant to your reader. Each appendix should be referred to in your text. You should not include something as an appendix if it is not discussed in the report.

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Indicative Grade Distinction

UK% marks 70%+

Characteristics.         Very high standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks. Excellent understanding and exposition of relevant issues. Clearly structured and logically developed arguments. Original thinking and clarity of arguments and/or assertions made. Good interpretation of the geopolitics of oil and the new paradigm in energy policy Substantial evidence of well-executed independent research. Excellent evaluation and breadth of source material including Academic research materials. Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced using Harvard system. High standard of critical analysis using appropriate conceptual frameworks. Clear awareness and exposition of relevant issues. Clearly structured and logically developed argument. Awareness of geo-political issues affecting energy production, distribution and consumption. Evidence of independent research. Good evaluation and breadth of source material. Relevant data and examples, all properly referenced using Harvard methodology Uses appropriate conceptual frameworks. Attempts analysis but includes some errors and /or omissions. Shows some awareness of stakeholder management theory but no interpretation into practice. Arguments reasonably clear but underdeveloped. Insufficient evidence of independent research. Insufficient evaluation of source material. Some good use of relevant data and examples but incompletely referenced. Adequate understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks. Answer too descriptive and or any attempt at analysis is superficial containing errors and
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Merit

69-60%

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Pass

59-50%

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Pass

49-40%

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omission. Some deviation from Assignment Brief; irrelevant topics and arguments introduced Shows limited awareness of stakeholder management theory. Arguments not particularly clear. Limited evidence of independent research and reliance on a superficial repeat of class notes. Relatively superficial use of relevant data sources and examples and poorly referenced; no page numbers, poor presentation and pagination.

E

PASS MARK=40% 39-30%

   Weak understanding of appropriate conceptual frameworks. Weak analysis and several errors and omissions. Establishes a few relevant points but superficial and confused understanding of stakeholder theory; deviation or irrelevance of writing; unnecessary topics or sections; does not adhere to Assignment Brief. No evidence of independent research and no use of relevant data, sources and examples and limited or no references; no attention to detail in terms of presentation or proof reading; does not follow guidelines for format.

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It is recommended that you review the requirements of the assignment before submitting your work. Students should conform to the conventions of the above assessment format in the preparation of their assignments. The relevant assessment criteria have been stated to enable and guide students in the preparation of their work. Achievement of the learning outcomes and the application of relevant theories to the assessment task should be demonstrated.

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