International Business Environment: Critical Essay Topics and Submission Guidelines

Coursework Requirements

1. Coursework: Essay 
• You are expected to write an essay of 2,000 (±10%) words (including Introduction, Main  body  and  Conclusion;  excluding  Tables,  the  Figures,  the  Bibliography  and Appendices) in answer to one of the two questions below.  
2. Essay Topic 
Critically discuss the view “Globalisation gives rise to populism”. Illustrate your argument using examples from the recent period of globalisation (1985-2009).   
OR 
Critically discuss the view that Chinese investments in Africa and the Belt and Road initiative are comparable to the Marshall Plan implemented by the US after World War 2.  Illustrate your argument with evidence about the motivations, scale and scope of China’s investments when compared with US investments under the Marshall Plan. 
 
3. Submission Details 
• Note  that  late  submissions  will  NOT  be  accepted  unless  full  details  of  satisfactory extenuating  circumstances  are  provided.  For  details  of  extenuating  circumstances please  see  the  undergraduate  student  handbook.  If  you  have  any  query  about extenuation please contact the Student Services Team 
 
4. External Sources for the Essay: 
You are required to use the textbook as the primary source of information and the articles on each topic in Talis.  The use of secondary data sources such as articles in academic journals, business magazines, newspapers, company reports, and company websites will be beneficial and seen as indicating student initiative and creativity, but the recommneded readings should 
be completed before embarking on a new quest for information. 
 
• Main contents: typed in Times New Roman, 12 Font, one and a half line spacing 
• Main heading: 14 Font, Bold; Sub-heading: 12 Font, Bold 
• Numbering of headings and sub-headings where appropriate (e.g., 1...1.1...1.1.1...) 
• Use diagrams and tables where appropriate 
• You can use bullet points in some, but not all, instances 

5.2. Essay Structure 
• Title page – (1) The title page must have the module name/number (International Business Environment), (2) the name of the module lecturer (3) student registration number, the name of the student and programme title (e.g., Marketing, International Business & Entrepreneurship or Business Administration) and (4) the essay/ question you are answering. 
• Introduction – Discusses what the essay is about and summarise your main arguments for each part of the question.  Inn the case of the first question this should summarise what you think about the statement, do you agree or disagree with it.  In the case of the second question you should state whether Chinese investments in Africa and BRI are comparable to the Marshall plan or not summarising your reasons for agreeing or not agreeing. 
• Main body – This will include detailed answers for each of the questions asked.  You can use subheadings  which  make  the  reader  comprehend  the  main  parts  of  your  arguments  in  the context  of  your  answer.    The  section  headings  should  also  reflect  the  different  parts  of  the question. Embed the literature review, or theoretical concepts, approaches and issues in the 
overall arguments presented in the essay and in the section that most closely corresponds to that literature. 
• Conclusions – Summarise the main points of your analysis and discuss the implications. 
• References – Use the appropriate sources for referencing (i.e. journal articles, book chapters, newspaper articles, or online sources). 
o Referencing style - The referencing style should comply with the Harvard Reference Style .