Assignment 3 - Reflective Portfolio on Social Responsibility

The Assignment Task

This assignment builds on Assignment Two. The main purpose of this assignment is to test your ability to adopt a reflective approach to exploring, using own research findings and insight(s) from the SLS Discussion, issues in social responsibility in-depth and in a way which is relevant to you.

You are required to submit a reflective portfolio of no more than 1800 words (excluding all references) which has the following 2 parts:

a)You must include a “write-up” on TWO of the three term 2 Student-Led Seminars (SLS) you attended, summarizing the key sources you read in preparation for each seminar, the arguments put forward at the seminar itself and a short reflection on your view of the topic area in the light of these arguments.  Recommended - Maximum 1300 words for this section (400 word per SLS). You are strongly advised to structure these “write-ups” as indicated in the Part A and Part B Advice Sections below.

b)You must write a conclusion reflecting on how the material above relates to the study of corporate social responsibility overall. Recommended - Maximum 500 words for this section.

1.Assignments Two and Three are based upon the research and discussions in the Student Led Seminar of term 2.

2.If you did not attend and participate in at least 2 of the SLSs, you are NOT eligible to write Assignment 3 (Reflective Portfolio). Please, contact you tutor if you find yourself in this situation.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes that are being assessed in this assignment are:

A) Conceptualise and explain coherently the complex range of business’ social responsibilities.

B) Evaluate the dilemmas faced by business organisations in confronting their corporate responsibilities

C)  Demonstrate using a range of communication tools an informed social awareness and sustainability consciousness

Your grade will depend on the extent to which you meet these learning outcomes in the way relevant for this assignment. Please see the grading rubric at the end The maximum word limit for this assignment is 1800 words

In accordance with the Assessment and Feedback Policy, as stated in section 4.40 where a submission exceeds the stipulated word limit by more than 10%, the submission will only be marked up to and including the additional 10%. Anything over this will not be included in the final grade for the assessment item. Abstracts, bibliographies, reference lists, appendices and footnotes are excluded from any word limit requirements.

Learning Outcomes

In line with section 4.41 of the same Policy, where a submission is notably under the word limit, the full submission will be marked on the extent to which the learning objectives have been met.

Assignment Support

Face-2-Face support will be provided by your specific module tutor in the last TWO seminars of term 2.

Further Advice on how to structure your Portfolio below:

It is suggested that you divide your write-up of each SLS topic into three sections

 Preparation:

-Summarise your main sources, including the principal points/ideas you took from them to the seminar, and reference them fully. You will not get much credit if all you use here is journal abstracts. Please do not include highlighted copies of journal articles and similar material in your portfolio!!

-You should try to aim for a balance of academic journals and company-based material.

The seminar discussion

-How did the arguments progress?  (e.g., what were the key issues discussed and to what extent did the views of group members diverge/converge?)?

-Were the views expressed by others new to you/Did you disagree with any of the views expressed?

-Analyse the quality and extent of your contribution

-How did the seminar/discussion influence the way you now think about  the issue?

-Here you should try to synthesise your learning about CSR overall. One way of doing this might be to compare/ contrast the learning points from each topic discussed in the student-led seminars.

-Are there any significant aspects of CSR which have not been touched on in the student-led seminars?

You will find the generic grading criteria for achievement at  University Grading Criteria.  Also explained here are the meanings of the various G grades at the bottom of the grading scale.

Assessment Submission

To submit your work, please go to the ‘Submit your work’ area on the NILE site and use the relevant submission point to upload your report. The deadline for this is 11.59pm (UK local time) on the date of submission.

Written work submitted to TURNITIN will be subject to anti-plagiarism detection software.  Turnitin checks student work for possible textual matches against internet available resources and its own proprietary database.  

When you upload your work correctly to TURNITIN you will receive a receipt which is your record and proof of submission.

If your assignment is not submitted to TURNITIN rather than a receipt you will see a green banner at the top of the screen that denotes successful submission.

N.B Work emailed directly to your tutor will not normally be marked. The only exception to this is when you are instructed to do so because TURNITIN is down.

Late submission of work

For first sits, if an item of assessment is submitted late and an extension has not been granted, the following will apply:

·Within one week of the original deadline – work will be marked and returned with full feedback, and awarded a maximum bare pass grade.

·More than one week from original deadline – maximum grade achievable LG (L indicating late).

At the second opportunity deadline (resits) work submitted late will be awarded a LG grade.  There is no opportunity to submit work late for a bare pass.

Extensions

The University of Northampton’s general policy with regard to extensions is to be supportive of students who have genuine difficulties, but not against pressures of work that could have reasonably been anticipated.  

For full details please refer to the Extensions Policy.  The module leader can, where appropriate, authorise a short extension of up to two weeks from the original submission date for first sits only. There are NO extensions for resits. The TWO weeks means 14 calendar days including weekends and any University closed days.

For guidance on Mitigating circumstances please go to Mitigating Circumstances  where you will find detailed guidance on the policy as well as guidance and the form for making an application.

Please note, however, that an application to defer an assessment on the grounds of mitigating circumstances should normally be made in advance of the submission deadline or examination date.  

Unless this is a group assignment, the work you produce must be your own with work taken from any other source properly referenced and attributed. The University of Northampton policy will apply in all cases of copying, plagiarism or any other methods by which students have obtained (or attempted to obtain) an unfair advantage.