Making History: Essay One
Deadline: Wednesday, 12 November, midday
For this essay, you will write a critical review of an article which engages with global
history. There is a list of articles on the Moodle page. The word limit is 1500 words
excluding footnotes and titles. Make sure you do not exceed the word limit.
You are expected to read not just the specific article but at least another two articles /
chapters / parts of books that you think are important for understanding the article that you
are reviewing. Where appropriate you should also use online resources.
Use the skills and knowledge you have developed on the course so far. This is a critical
review, so make sure that you are critical of the article’s arguments, its use of sources, the
scholarly literature it draws upon, and the conclusions it makes. There is a list of useful
questions on the Moodle page. Use the secondary reading to inform your analysis, and if
appropriate, be critical of this material as well.
You should spend more time analysing the article, its position, and its assumptions than
describing it. Make sure that you have understood and thought about the issues of global
history. Also, consider whether the article is successful in achieving its own aims. Do not
simply criticise the article for what it does not try to do, unless it has neglected essential
questions and issues. Take a stance! Come off the fence! Tackle the big issues!
Class
First
(1st)
Scale
Point
96
High 1st
89
Low 1st
Lower
Second
(2.2)
High 2.1
Mid 2.1
Low 2.1
High 2.2
Mid 2.2
Low 2.2
Very high quality work demonstrating excellent knowledge
and understanding, analysis, organisation, accuracy, relevance,
presentation and appropriate skills. Work which may extend
existing debates or interpretations.
High quality work demonstrating good knowledge and
understanding, analysis, organisation, accuracy, relevance,
presentation and appropriate skills.
Competent work, demonstrating reasonable knowledge and
understanding, some analysis, organisation, accuracy,
relevance, presentation and appropriate skills.
High 3rd
Third
(3rd)
Numerical
Equivalent
Exceptional work of the highest quality, demonstrating
excellent knowledge and understanding, analysis, organisation,
Excellent
accuracy, relevance, presentation and appropriate skills. At
1st
final-year level: work may achieve or be close to publishable
standard.
Mid 1st
Upper
Second
(2.1)
University Descriptor
Mid 3rd
Low 3rd
81
74
68
65
62
58
55
52
48
Work of limited quality, demonstrating some relevant
knowledge and understanding.
45
42