DDES1201
Assessment Brief 2
Academic Essay
COURSE CODE: DDES1201 | COURSE NAME: Design History and Theory 2 | Last Modified on: Thursday, 24 August 2023
Title: Academic Essay
Weighting: 60%
Assessment type: Essay
Word Count: 2000 words
Group work: No
Submission requirements:
Electronic PDF document
Where to submit: Moodle
Due: by 9am on Monday in week 11
Assessment Description
This task is the second part of a two-part research project that will support you in identifying, contextualising,
critically analysing and interpreting relevant design practices through key theories and concepts in a range of
different global contexts. You will write an academic essay using the essay question you selected earlier this term
and the annotated bibliography you prepared for Assessment 1.
How to complete the assessment
Step 1: Reflecting on the feedback received after Assessment 1, and with the help of your tutor, you will establish
what case studies or examples you will investigate in your essay. Selected examples should help you advance
your argument and expand your understanding of global design contexts.
Step 2: As your argument develops, you will expand your annotated bibliography. You should aim to use at least
two new academically sound sources from the UNSW Library collection that you haven’t included in Assessment
1. Leganto is a good starting point for your research, but as part of this assignment, you must not use the
mandatory resources that have already been assigned for class discussion.
Step 3: You will write an academic essay of 2000 words. In this process, you will:
• address your essay topic;
• critically analyse and interpret selected case studies;
• using Assessment 1 as a starting point, integrate selected resources into your writing to support your
argument;
• engage with relevant theories and concepts.
Your essay should be a coherent text composed of the following sections signposted by subheadings:
• an introduction, where you introduce the reader to your writing and the subject of your essay;
• a body of text where you will briefly describe and analyse your design examples/case studies in relation
to your chosen topic;
• a conclusion, including a synthesis of your ideas.
COURSE CODE: DDES1201 | COURSE NAME: Design History and Theory 2 | Last Modified on: Thursday, 24 August 2023 2
Submission Requirements
• Your assignment must be formatted as a PDF file with readable text.
• Use plain font, such as Times New Roman, Helvetica, or Arial, size 10–12.
• All references should be formatted according to the APA style, including a reference list at the end, in-text
citations, images and quotations.
• Do not use bullet points. Format your assignment as text divided into an introduction, body and
conclusion.
• Your essay should follow academic conventions and include:
o a covering page with your name, zID, and course details;
o selected topic;
o a reference for each resource that follows the APA referencing style;
o captioned images;
o two separate reference lists for written and visual resources used;
o page numbers.
• In preparation for this task, you should engage with the following Moodle resources:
o Leganto
o APA Referencing Guide
o Academic Integrity video
• Prior to submission, you will undertake a number of in-class activities to support you in selecting your
research theme and identifying valid scholarly resources.
• For this assessment task, you may use standard editing and referencing software such as Microsoft
Office suite, but not generative AI, translation software, paraphrasing or summarising tools and the like. If
the use of generative AI, such as but not limited to ChatGPT, is detected, it will be regarded as serious
academic misconduct and subject to the standard penalties, which may include 00FL, suspension and
exclusion.
COURSE CODE: DDES1201 | COURSE NAME: Design History and Theory 2 | Last Modified on: Thursday, 24 August 2023 3
Assessment Criteria:
Criteria &
Weighting
Fail
(<50)
Pass
(50-64)
Credit
(65-74)
Distinction (75-
84)
High Distinction
(85-100)
Research (35%)
Research skills
are demonstrated
by the
independent
identification and
use of
academically
sound sources
Little or no
evidence of
independent
research into the
theme is identified
in writing.
Minimal evidence
of appropriate
research. Many of
the sources are
simplistic or
unsound.
There is evidence
of the
independent
identification and
use of appropriate
sources.
There is good
evidence of
sustained
independent
research and
careful selection
of relevant
sources.
There is excellent
evidence of
sustained
independent
research. The
sources
demonstrate
significant
breadth and
depth of research
and are integral
to understanding
the theme.
Critical Analysis
& Interpretation
(35%)
The skills are
demonstrated in
the making of a
sound argument,
and interpretation
of sources
The argument
cannot be found
or has no
evidence base.
No understanding
of the topic and/or
was question
displayed, or only
a basic
description is
provided with no
analysis. Accurate
interpretation is
missing.
The argument
cannot be
identified
throughout. Only
a basic analysis is
present.
Interpretation is
incomplete.
The argument
carries all the way
through. Some
critical analysis is
present. The
relevant
information has
been identified,
but the
interpretation is
limited.
There is a
sustained
argument
supported by
critical analysis of
material and
evaluation of a
range of relevant
perspectives.
Useful
connections
between
information are
found and some
independent
thought and
accurate
interpretation are
present.
There is a
sustained and
compelling
argument, critical
analysis and
evaluation of a
range of relevant
perspectives.
Independent
thought and
useful and
creative
connections are
demonstrated
throughout.
Structure (10%)
The writing is
logically
structured, and
introduction,
body, and
conclusion can be
identified
There is no
indication of an
introduction, body
and conclusion.
An attempt has
been made to
develop the essay
structure with an
introduction, body
and conclusion.
There is an
introduction,
body, and
conclusion.
The introduction,
body, and
conclusion are
clear and flow
effectively.
Strong structural
coherence and
evidence of a
robust authorial
voice
Referencing
(10%)
Through the APA
style, sources are
appropriately
The referencing
requirements
have not been
met and there is
no discernible
attempt at
Some referencing
requirements are
present; however,
some errors are
present in
All referencing
requirements are
present, and a
discernible
attempt has been
made to
All referencing
requirements are
present, and an
excellent attempt
has been made to
apply the APA
All referencing
requirements are
present, and a
high level of care
in applying the
APA referencing
COURSE CODE: DDES1201 | COURSE NAME: Design History and Theory 2 | Last Modified on: Thursday, 24 August 2023 4
Course Learning Outcomes addressed in this task
1. Understand and discuss key theories and concepts that are relevant to design practice.
2. Identify and critically analyse various design contexts through the application of appropriate theories of
design.
3. Demonstrate refined oral and/or written communication skills through theoretical investigation and
analysis of design case studies.
4. Apply academic research literacy through effective sourcing, attribution and critical analysis of research
material.
How you will receive feedback for this task
• Formative feedback will be provided on a regular basis in tutorials through discussion with peers and the
tutor.
• Summative assessment and feedback will be provided electronically within 2 weeks of the submission
date.
Criteria &
Weighting
Fail
(<50)
Pass
(50-64)
Credit
(65-74)
Distinction (75-
84)
High Distinction
(85-100)
acknowledged
and referenced
applying the
academic
referencing style.
applying the APA
referencing style.
appropriately
apply the APA
referencing style.
There may be
some errors
present in the
formatting of
references.
referencing style.
There may be
minor errors
present in the
formatting of
references.
style is evident.
The formatting of
references is
accurate and
consistent.
Process (10%)
The participation
and engagement
in the learning
process
throughout the
term is evidenced
by regular class
attendance,
partaking in
tutorial activities
and sharing
Moodle posts as
indicated by the
tutor
The student has
not engaged in
tutorial activities
in class and/or
online.
The student has
engaged in some
tutorial activities
in class and/or
online to a limited
extent.
The student has
engaged in
tutorial activities
both in class and
online.
The student has
actively engaged
in tutorial
activities in class
and online.
The student has
engaged
substantially in
tutorial activities
in class and
online.