Assessment 2: Critical Analysis Essay
Type: Written assignment
Due: Week 9 Friday 8th September 2023 8.55am
Weight: 30%
Length: 1200 words
Please note that web applications such as ChatGPT, Google Translate, Grammarly and Youdao (or equivalent services) are not permitted for assessment creation, translation, or extensive language assistance purposes. Wikipedia, and Baidu, Weibo and WeTalk are not permitted to be used.
Rationale:
The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate critical thinking, analysis, research, referencing and writing skills. You will demonstrate an understanding of social services fields of practice, and an emerging understanding of factors influencing social issues and the approaches to addressing them.
This task aligns with the following learning outcomes (1,2,5):
1. Apply their knowledge of the history, philosophies, politics, institutional structures of the Australian post-welfare state in a practitioner context.
2. Critically evaluate social policy documents, including journal articles and commentary.
5. Use appropriate APA 7th in referencing text and presentation.
Task:
The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate critical thinking, analysis, research, referencing and writing skills. For this task you need to write a 1200 word essay in which you critically analyse the document provided (see below) using elements of the WPR approach (see Bacchi, 2012). You will demonstrate an understanding of social services fields of practice, and an emerging understanding of factors influencing social issues and the approaches to addressing them. You will write clearly and succinctly, referencing sources as appropriate.
The document to be used for analysis: Achieving Balance
PDF will be uploaded to course site in Evidence of Learning Tile, when finalised.
See also: (for guide on elements applied)
Bacchi, C. (2012). Introducing the ‘What’s the Problem Represented to be?’ approach. In A. Bletsas & C. Beasley (Eds.), Engaging with Carol Bacchi: strategic interventions and exchanges (pp. 21-24). The University of Adelaide Press. https://www.adelaide.edu.au/press/titles/engaging
Marking criteria (Detailed rubric will be available two weeks prior to due date of assessment)
Your essay will be marked on-line in accordance with the Marking Criteria below.
▪ Explain what the authors state the social issue is. (2 marks)
▪ Describe what the problem is represented to be through the proposed approach to addressing the social issue. (4 marks)
▪ Discuss the probable presuppositions or assumptions that underlie the representation of the problem. (4 marks)
▪ Identify and explain two factors (historical, political, economic, institutional or cultural) that shape the existence of this problem representation in Australia. (8 marks)
▪ Describe and explain the presence of an inherent tension (as taught in class) in the approach to addressing the social issue. (4 marks)
▪ Convey your writing with clarity by using correct APA7 formatting and referencing, as well as correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and structure. (8 marks)