The aim of coursework is for groups of four students to undertake detailed research into one of the topics that have been covered in the course lectures. Topics and groups will be assigned during the first lecture.
You will take the role of a team of civil servants who have been asked to write a brief for a minister about an important information society issue relevant to their department. You should identify a key policy decision concerning this topic that you feel should most urgently be answered. Over the course of the term you will prepare a concise briefing document summarising the relevant background information and your team’s answer to this question, as well as your recommendations for government action.
As part of your research each group will make a 15-minute presentation to the rest of the class summarising their work. Dates will be allocated during lectures.
Each group will need to consider which policy aspects of their assigned topic the government would consider most important. What problems remain to be solved, or solutions to be suggested, in the area you are covering? What priorities should be set? How do these fit in with the current UK government’s wider goals? If the minister was defending your recommended policy to a journalist, what questions do you think would be asked? Would the journalist be convinced that the problems are being addressed? Would a trade unionist, campaigner, or a representative of a business organisation likewise be convinced? What are the matters of particular interest or concern to their members?
The final briefing document must be written up and submitted for assessment before Wednesday 10 December. Your briefing must contain fewer than 3000 words, so you need to be concise. It should be presented as a report rather than an essay. For more details about the differences between these two types of writing you may want to have a look at this online guide to academic writing produced by the University of Surrey. This site also contains useful information on gathering information and making oral presentations.
In order to pass the coursework you must both contribute to the presentation and submit written work. If a group feels that work has not been shared evenly between group members, they should discuss the situation with the course lecturer; coursework marks awarded will be adjusted accordingly.