Coursework Title/ Brief
The modern world is complex and connected, the consumer has a myriad of choice and these choices have implications for human kind and the environment. This essay aims to consider the drivers of consumer choice from an ethical perspective and the impact of these on our future.
Coursework Aim
To provide the student with a clear understanding of the concept of ethics and its link to modern consumption by looking at the activities of; consumers, companies and governments.
Coursework Objectives/Learning Outcomes
1. define consumption and ethics in the context of the contemporary service sector,
2. analyse the role of ethics in consumer culture and provide examples of how the service sector reacts to it,
3. evaluate the role of national and European governments in protecting consumers and providing consumer education.
Presentation format / Instructions
This Coursework should be done using an essay format.
The word length is 2 000 and this should include:
an introduction
an overview of ethics and how it links to consumerism
an analysis of why and how companies look after their customers interests in light of shifting attitudes and globalisation
an evaluation of the role of government relating to consumerism
conclusions
references using Harvard system – see year handbook
Use should be made of a number of examples to illustrate the points made and appropriate academic texts should be used to support the points made.
This coursework is subject to blind marking, students should therefore hand in their work in the ABS coursework folder (available from the ABS reception desk and Library). There should be no reference to the students name visible anywhere. The matriculation number should be clear.
Criteria for Assessment
The essay should cover all the issues outlined in the outcomes and the instructions. Each of the main sections should review the current literature in that field and discuss and debate the main pertinent issues using appropriate examples. The use of analysis should be obvious, i.e. evidence of a balanced argument for and against the use of consumer policy, the importance of ethics in business and the involvement of government.
The essay should meet the assignment objectives. The appropriate use of quotations, data and/or figures from a range of sources is essential. All references should be acknowledged using the Harvard system adopted by the School. The quality of coverage and discussion will be assessed in accordance with the weightings specified on the grading grid.
?