PSC3703
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 2 2024
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 2024
, lOMoARcPSD|21997160
PSC3703 Assignment 02: Essay
Assignment Question:
Choose any two views of science presented in this module and discuss how they each interpret the
following points:
(1) the aspects of reality that should be studied;
(2) the meaning of and relationship between subject (researcher) and object (social and political
reality)
(4) the most suitable methods for the study of social reality;
(5) procedures that must be used to test theories; and
(6) their impact on and relevance for political studies
Recommended Reading:
Your assignment should draw from the E-reserves and Study Guide. You must also conduct
independent research online and include at least 8 other academic sources (books and journal
articles). Thus, your bibliography must have at least 10 academic sources. You can have more sources.
Instructions for Assignment 02:
This assignment serves a dual purpose of preparing you adequately for the examinations by testing
your analytical skills and the depth and breadth of your knowledge of the subject matter, as well as
providing you with an opportunity to further develop your academic writing based on the feedback
you receive from your lecturer. It is therefore in your interest to produce your best quality work. The
due date and unique number for Assignment 02 will be communicated in due course.
Technical requirements:
Essays must meet all the technical requirements indicated below. You are not awarded marks for
aesthetics such as fancy borders, fonts and coloured print, so adopt a formal approach to
presentation. Ensure that your essay is divided into paragraphs (*note: a paragraph is not three lines
nor should it be a page in length – use your discretion – in theory, a paragraph introduces a new idea).
You may use sub-headings if you choose, however, please do not reproduce the sub-headings from
the readings or simply formulate one word or extremely long sub-headings. The purpose of a sub-
heading is to capture a key idea (a paradox or hypothesis), which addresses one aspect of your larger
argument and should therefore be formulated in an investigative rather than descriptive manner. This
does not imply that each sub-heading must be completely independent of one another; instead, each
sub-heading should simply represent one piece of the larger puzzle. Ideally, at this level, you should
try to keep it simple by writing a single free flowing essay without sub-headings. Students have the
tendency of simply reproducing what they read in their own words rather than using those ideas to
support the argument (or position) they choose to adopt in response to the question. I urge you to
articulate your own ‘voice’. At the same time, this does not mean to say that you write an opinion
piece; instead, you must demonstrate your level of understanding of the core ideas gathered from the
respective texts to support your argument or to challenge those views that you disagree with.
Open Rubric
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 2 2024
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 2024
, lOMoARcPSD|21997160
PSC3703 Assignment 02: Essay
Assignment Question:
Choose any two views of science presented in this module and discuss how they each interpret the
following points:
(1) the aspects of reality that should be studied;
(2) the meaning of and relationship between subject (researcher) and object (social and political
reality)
(4) the most suitable methods for the study of social reality;
(5) procedures that must be used to test theories; and
(6) their impact on and relevance for political studies
Recommended Reading:
Your assignment should draw from the E-reserves and Study Guide. You must also conduct
independent research online and include at least 8 other academic sources (books and journal
articles). Thus, your bibliography must have at least 10 academic sources. You can have more sources.
Instructions for Assignment 02:
This assignment serves a dual purpose of preparing you adequately for the examinations by testing
your analytical skills and the depth and breadth of your knowledge of the subject matter, as well as
providing you with an opportunity to further develop your academic writing based on the feedback
you receive from your lecturer. It is therefore in your interest to produce your best quality work. The
due date and unique number for Assignment 02 will be communicated in due course.
Technical requirements:
Essays must meet all the technical requirements indicated below. You are not awarded marks for
aesthetics such as fancy borders, fonts and coloured print, so adopt a formal approach to
presentation. Ensure that your essay is divided into paragraphs (*note: a paragraph is not three lines
nor should it be a page in length – use your discretion – in theory, a paragraph introduces a new idea).
You may use sub-headings if you choose, however, please do not reproduce the sub-headings from
the readings or simply formulate one word or extremely long sub-headings. The purpose of a sub-
heading is to capture a key idea (a paradox or hypothesis), which addresses one aspect of your larger
argument and should therefore be formulated in an investigative rather than descriptive manner. This
does not imply that each sub-heading must be completely independent of one another; instead, each
sub-heading should simply represent one piece of the larger puzzle. Ideally, at this level, you should
try to keep it simple by writing a single free flowing essay without sub-headings. Students have the
tendency of simply reproducing what they read in their own words rather than using those ideas to
support the argument (or position) they choose to adopt in response to the question. I urge you to
articulate your own ‘voice’. At the same time, this does not mean to say that you write an opinion
piece; instead, you must demonstrate your level of understanding of the core ideas gathered from the
respective texts to support your argument or to challenge those views that you disagree with.
Open Rubric
