Title: Reflective essay analysing health inequalities and salient social factors Format: 2,500-word essay. Weighting: 100%. Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Task Overview: Write a 2,500-word academic reflective essay analyzing health
Assignment 1: Individual Essay
Title: Reflective essay analysing health inequalities and salient social factors
Format: 2,500-word essay.
Weighting: 100%.
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Task Overview:
Write a 2,500-word academic reflective essay analyzing health inequalities and the salient social factors that influence health outcomes. Your essay should incorporate an examination of the role medical institutions and healthcare professionals play in constructing narratives around health and illness.
Suggested Structure & Breakdown:
- Introduction (250 words): Outline the focus of the essay, state key themes, and define core sociological terminology.
- Sociological Perspectives on Health & Illness (LO1) (500 words): Apply core sociological theoretical frameworks (e.g., Social Constructionism, Marxism, or Functionalism) to explain concepts of health and care.
- Salient Social Factors & Inequalities (LO2 & LO3) (1,000 words): Critically describe and evaluate how social determinants such as race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, and geography shape health experiences, create disparities, and impact access to care.
- Role of Medical Institutions & Professions (LO4) (500 words): Analyze medicalisation and the ways professional power/institutions shape societal understandings of health and illness.
- Conclusion & Reflection (LO5) (250 words): Synthesize your main findings and reflect critically on the broader implications for health and social care practice.
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2,500 words
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FORMATTING
AND LAYOUT |
Please note the following when completing your written assignment:
- Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
- Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
- Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a bibliography using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
- Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.
- All referencing should be in Harvard style.
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GENERIC ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
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Level 3 |
|
In accordance with the
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, at the end of Level 4 students
will be expected to have demonstrated knowledge of the basic underlying
concepts and principles of a subject, and an ability to evaluate and interpret
these within the context of that area of study. They should be able to
present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data to develop
lines of argument and make sound judgements in accordance with basic theories
and concepts of their subject(s) of study. They will have learned how to
evaluate different approaches to solving problems, and will be able to
communicate the results of their study/work accurately and reliably, and with
structured and coherent arguments. They will be able
to undertake further
training and develop new skills within a structured and managed environment
and will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment
requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility. |
Marking Rubric - Essay
|
Learning Outcome / Assessment Criteria |
Fail 0-39 |
Pass 40-49 |
Merit 50-59 |
Distinction 60-69 |
Distinction* 70-100 |
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LO1. Explain core sociological perspectives on health,
illness and care 20 marks. Knowledge and understanding. |
The work examined provides insufficient evidence of the knowledge and
understanding, there is limited understanding weak in several
indicators lacking development. The work is heavily dependent on
description with limited evidence of linking analysis to the issues. There is
barely adequate use of literature or reading around the topic to support
content. <8 marks |
The work examined is sufficient to display basic knowledge and
understanding but is largely descriptive. There is an attempt to bring
together different aspects relevant to the topic, with limited use of
references to support points. 8-9.9 marks |
The work examined is good and demonstrates sound understanding of
the topic. Some interpretation of relevant perspectives. Competent use of
source material using a variety of recent literature. 10-11.9 marks |
Very good, the work examined is coherently structured, demonstrates a
substantial knowledge related to the topic. Very good use of source material
using a range of sources to support main points. 12-13.9 marks |
The work examined is excellent and demonstrates comprehensive
knowledge understanding of the topic. There is coherence of ideas with
analysis of factors supported with compelling evaluation and interpretation
supported with effective use of source material and accurate referencing. 14 -20
marks |
|
LO2.
Describe salient social factors that influence health experiences and
outcomes. 15 marks Knowledge and understanding. |
The work examined provides Insufficient evidence demonstrated. Limited
knowledge of key social factors (e.g., race, gender, socio-economic status).
Heavily descriptive with limited literature links. 0-5.9 |
Basic descriptive identification of relevant social factors (e.g.,
ethnicity, age, class). Minimal critical analysis; limited literature
support. 6-7.4 |
Sound understanding of social factors influencing health outcomes.
Competent narrative with relevant, current literature. 7.5-8.9 |
Substantial analysis of how factors like race, gender, and class
intersect to shape health experiences. Independent thought present. 9.0-10.4 |
Comprehensive, highly coherent critique of social determinants.
Outstanding synthesis of contemporary literature and evidence. 10.5-15 |
|
LO3: Recognise health inequalities and disparities in
accessing health and social care. 15 marks Knowledge
and understanding. |
The work examined provides insufficient evidence
demonstrates a weak knowledge base and limited understanding. The work is
heavily descriptive, with limited evidence of linking analysis to the issues
included, containing many unsupported statements with barely adequate links
to literature. <6 marks |
The work examined is relevant but largely
descriptive, displays a basic knowledge and understanding. There is an
attempt to bring together different ideas and concepts with little evidence
of analysis of the issues included, with limited use of source literature to
support points included. 6-7.4
marks |
The work examined is good, demonstrating evidence
of sound understanding. There is some interpretation and analysis but
sometimes prone to description or narrative which at times lacks clarity of
relevant perspectives. Competent use of relevant and
current source material to support to illustrate points. 7.5-8.5 marks |
Very good, the work examined demonstrates a substantial
knowledge, formulating a good analysis containing some independent
thinking. Very good use of source material used to support the main
points. 9-10.4 marks |
The work examined is excellent and demonstrates
comprehensive knowledge, demonstrating coherence of ideas and a thorough
knowledge and clear understanding of the issues with analysis of different
perspectives. The arguments presented are effectively supported by wide
reading with appropriate use of source material and accurate referencing. 10.5-15 marks |
|
LO4: Explain the role of medical institutions and
professions in generating narratives of health and illness 15 marks Knowledge
and understanding. |
The work examined provides insufficient evidence
demonstrates a weak knowledge base and limited understanding. The work is
heavily descriptive, with limited evidence of linking analysis to the issues
included, containing many unsupported statements with barely adequate links
to literature. <6 marks |
The work examined is relevant but largely
descriptive, displays a basic knowledge and understanding. There is an
attempt to bring together different ideas and concepts with little evidence
of analysis of the issues included, with limited use of source literature to
support points included. 6-7.4 marks |
The work examined is good, demonstrating evidence
of sound understanding. There is some interpretation and analysis but
sometimes prone to description or narrative which at times lacks clarity of
relevant perspectives. Competent use of relevant and
current source material to support to illustrate points. 7.5-8.5 marks |
Very good, the work examined demonstrates a substantial
knowledge, formulating a good analysis containing some independent
thinking. Very good use of source material used to support the main
points. 9-10.4 marks |
The work examined is excellent and demonstrates
comprehensive knowledge, demonstrating coherence of ideas and a thorough
knowledge and clear understanding of the issues with analysis of different
perspectives. The arguments presented are effectively supported by wide
reading with appropriate use of source material and accurate referencing.
>10.5-15 marks |
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