What has been the impact of Green parties on politics from the 1980s until the present day? Germany and France

Module Code:

POLS20530

NTU Student No.:

Module Name:

Contemporary European Politics

Module Leader:

Dr Nathan Jones

Marker:

Dr Nathan Jones

Moderator:

Assignment:

Summative Essay

Grade:

High 3rd

Tutor Feedback Comments:

(strengths and areas for improvement with respect to the learning outcomes)

1. Referencing and Citation

The reference list includes some very good academic sources. It is formatted incorrectly. Citations are employed well, when they used, but they are missing in a significantly high number of places. They are formatted incorrectly. Please refer to the NTU Library Referencing Guide for further details.

2. Syntax, Style and Grammar

The writing style is inconsistent. Some sections are written well, while others are too conversational. Use of English is mainly sound, however, US spelling should not be used, ‘affect’ and ‘effect’ have been confused, and the spelling of Die Grünen and Les Verts is inconsistent throughout. Sentence construction is sound on the whole, however, there are some punctuations errors, notably with the misuse of the semi-colon.

3. Structure

The introduction does not outline a clear main argument and only vaguely signposts the essay. As a result, the structure is rather disjointed and many of the paragraphs do not connect to each other very well. In spite of these issues, there is a logic to the way in which the argument has been presented, even though it is difficult to identify what is being argued at times. The conclusion sums up the essay in an overly brief fashion and it does not identify the most significant points.

4. Content

This essay demonstrates some basic knowledge and understanding of the role of the Greens and does apply this to the case studies to some limited effect in places. The points that are made about both Green parties attempting to influence energy and nuclear policy are both valid, yet the challenges that Les Verts, in particular, faced as a small party in a much larger coalition between 1997 and 2002 are not sufficiently developed. Attempting to include postmaterialism as an explanatory factor for the initial rise of the Greens is a sound approach, however, it becomes increasingly muddled as the essay progresses. Postmaterialism is a set of values and ideas. It is, therefore, not feasible to refer to percentages of postmaterialists as though they were individuals. There is also significant confusion about the extent to which older parties were weakened by the rise of the Greens and the name of the Liberal Party in Germany. Ultimately, there is too much focus on energy infrastructure and policy and not enough focus on how the Greens impacted on this energy policy. There are a few ideas, such as institutional conversion, that are mentioned, but are not explained or sufficiently applied to the question. The essay is also very descriptive and fails to address a number of key contemporary issues, including the return of the Greens to the German Government, and how rising support for the Greens in Germany is affecting contemporary policy making. Nevertheless, it is clear that the basics have been understood and applied to a sufficient enough extent for this essay to pass.

5. How can I improve my work?

· Ensure that both case studies are thoroughly analysed in relation to the question as a whole and not just one policy.

· Adopt a more analytical approach.

· Ensure that key factors, concepts, and ideas are evaluated in enough depth.

· Enhance the structure and consistency of the writing style.

· Enhance the formatting of the reference list and the use of citations.

Assessment Feedback Form

Assessed Learning Outcomes

Assessment Criteria

Exceptional 1st

High 1st

Mid 1st

Low 1st

High 2.1

Mid 2.1

Low 2.1

High 2.2

Mid 2.2

Low 2.2

High 3rd

Mid 3rd

Low 3rd

Marginal Fail

Mid Fail

Low Fail

Zero

Differentiate between national cultural specificities as they relate to generic problems in contemporary European governance and politics.

An excellent essay will demonstrate the ability to identify generic issues in European governance and politics and to apply and differentiate these at the national level of the two European countries which are being compared.

 x

Apply approaches, concepts, theories, and methods used in the study of contemporary European politics to the analysis of political ideas, institutions, practices, actors, and issues in European countries.

An excellent essay will apply concepts, theories and methods which are used in the study of European actors to the analysis of political institutions, practices, actors, and issues, in the two European countries which are being compared.

 x

Compare, contrast, and offer cogent and reasoned explanations for similarities and differences in the procedures and practices of government and politics in European countries.

An excellent essay will include explanations supported by academic evidence to explain similarities and differences in the procedures and practices of government and politics in the two European countries which are being compared.

 x

Demonstrate an ability to analyse arguments, assumptions, and differing interpretations of political issues and events in European countries to reach sound judgements.

An excellent essay will analyse issues and events throughout, in order to reach sound judgements on the basis of evidence and research in relation to contemporary politics in the two European countries which are being compared.

 x

Command a wide range of specialised and conceptual skills, generating ideas through the analysis of information and concepts relevant to European politics

An excellent essay will analyse information and concepts in detail, in order to demonstrate a high level of specialised and conceptual knowledge which is relevant to the two European countries which are being examined.

x

Demonstrate an ability to communicate such skills effectively, clearly, and fluently in writing.

An excellent essay will adopt a clear structure and formal writing style. It will also demonstrate a high standard of grammar and use of English throughout.

 x

Research, analyse, reformat, and evaluate a wide range of relevant information.

An excellent essay will have referenced more than the minimum number of academic sources and paraphrased academic arguments. It will also demonstrate in-depth analysis of all the salient points relating to the two European countries which are being compared.

 x

Demonstrate competency in the use of academic conventions, including references and a properly formatted reference list.

An excellent essay will employ the Harvard referencing system correctly throughout and will ensure that all content taken from any source is both cited in the main body of the essay, including when it is paraphrased, and that the source is included in the reference list. An excellent essay will also more than ten academic sources.

 x

Class

Scale

General Characteristics

FIRST

(Excellent)

Exceptional 1st

Exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of the area of study; evidence of extensive and appropriate selection and critical evaluation/synthesis/analysis and of reading/research beyond the prescribed range, in both breadth and depth, to advance work/direct arguments; exceptional demonstration of relevant skills; excellent communication; performance deemed to be beyond expectation.

High 1st

Outstanding/excellent knowledge and understanding of the area of study as the student is typically able to go beyond what has been taught (particularly for a mid/high 1st); evidence of extensive and appropriate selection and critical evaluation/synthesis/analysis of reading/research beyond the prescribed range, to advance work/direct arguments; excellent demonstration of relevant skills; excellent communication; performance deemed beyond expectation of the level.

Mid 1st

Low 1st

UPPER SECOND

(Very good)

High 2.1

Very good knowledge and understanding of the area of study as the student is typically able to relate facts/concepts together with some ability to apply to known/taught contexts; evidence of appropriate selection and evaluation of reading/research, some beyond the prescribed range, may rely on set sources to advance work/direct arguments; demonstrates autonomy in approach to learning; very good demonstration of relevant skills; strong communication skills.

Mid 2.1

Low 2.1

LOWER SECOND

(Good)

High 2.2

Good knowledge and understanding of the area of study balanced towards the descriptive rather than analytical; evidence of appropriate selection and evaluation of reading/research but generally reliant on set sources to advance work/direct arguments; good demonstration of relevant skills, though may be limited in range; communication shows clarity but structure may not always be coherent.

Mid 2.2

Low 2.2

THIRD

(Sufficient)

High 3rd

Knowledge and understanding is sufficient to deal with terminology, basic facts and concepts but fails to make meaningful synthesis; some ability to select and evaluate reading/research however work may be more generally descriptive; strong reliance on available support set sources to advance work; arguments may be weak or poorly constructed; adequate demonstration of relevant skills over a limited range; communication/presentation is generally competent but with some weaknesses.

Mid 3rd

Low 3rd

FAIL

(Insufficient)

Marginal Fail

Insufficient knowledge and understanding of the area of study; some ability to select and evaluate reading/research however work is more generally descriptive; fails to address some aspects of the brief; a limited use of sources to advance work; arguments may be weak/poor or weakly/poorly constructed; demonstration of relevant skills over a reduced range; communication shows limited clarity, poor presentation, structure may not be coherent.

Mid Fail

Highly insufficient knowledge or understanding of the area of study; understanding is typically at the word level with facts being reproduced in a disjointed or decontextualised manner; fails to address the outcomes addressed by the brief; typically ignores important sources in development of work and data/evidence inappropriately used; weak technical and practical competence hampers ability to demonstrate/communicate achievement of outcomes.

Low Fail

ZERO

Zero

Work of no merit OR absent, work not submitted, penalty in some misconduct cases.