4QQMN137 – SOCIAL SCIENCE AND MODERN BUSINESS

Assessment 1 – First Coursework Essay

(75% of total module grade)

Lead Prof. Stephen Pratten Instructor’s stephen.pratten@kcl.ac.uk

Instructors: email:

Submission via KEATS by 10:00am on Monday Submission 1. File saved as

Deadline: 16th December 2024. checklist [ModuleCode_CandidateNumb
er]
2. Word count (1,500 words)
3. Submit a word document or
PDF

The Task

The coursework essay is worth 75% of the assessed grade for this module. This is an individual
essay that you complete alone. You will receive an individual grade for this work together with
some written feedback on it in January 2025. The coursework essay relates to the topics
covered in the module.

The first coursework essay must address one of the following questions:
1. ‘A significant constraint on progress in social science, particularly acutely felt in economics, is
the insistence upon the use of methods that presuppose social reality is constituted by
isolated atoms.’ Discuss.
2. What is social ontology and should social scientists be concerned with it?
3. Identify the key features of social positioning theory and consider its strengths as an account
of social constitution.

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 4. Explain how social positioning theory can help us understand the nature of money and the
distinction between money and successful money.
5. Use social positioning theory to explore whether cryptocurrency is money.
6. Explain how social positioning theory can help us understand both the nature of the firm and
the nature of the modern corporation.
7. ‘In order to bring multinational corporations under the effective control of regulatory bodies it
is necessary to stop treating them as if they are human beings.’ Discuss.

Module Learning Outcomes Assessed

All the essay questions encourage students to engage deeply with the following module
learning outcomes.

- Contrast how different conceptions of science inform the conduct of social science.
- Discuss how powerful social science explanations can be constructed.
- Define social ontology and assess its importance for the conduct of social science.

- Outline and illustrate a specific account of the nature of the social realm. Demonstrate how
insights at the level of social ontology can assist in the development of substantive social
theory.
- Compare, evaluate, and consider alternatives to how money, firms and corporations have
been conceptualized within relevant social science disciplines.
- Construct coherent, persuasive and logically structured arguments.

Assignment Details and Structure

You have a significant degree of freedom in terms of how you structure your essay. However,
we expect you to include an introduction, followed by sections in which your key arguments are
outlined and developed. In these sections you will be drawing upon insights from the key
readings covered in the module, taking care to express the relevant ideas in your own words
and ordering them to form a coherent argument. At the end of the essay you should include a
conclusion indicating to the reader what has been accomplished. It is also important that your
work is fully and consistently referenced and includes a bibliography.

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General Submission Requirements

Submission for this assessment is made online via the module KEATS page, and there is
detailed information on this in the document ‘KBS Assessments Guidance 2024/25’ which is in
the Assessments section of the module KEATS page.

Submissions must be made in the format of either a Microsoft Word document or a PDF via a
link on the module KEATS page under the ‘Assessment’ section. You must use the cover sheet
provided alongside this link by completing the details on the front page, including the
candidate number, and then writing your essay on the following pages. You must include the
word count for the essay on the cover sheet. If you have a cover sheet specifically for
Personalised Assessment Arrangements (PAA), you should include this in addition to the
standard cover sheet.

Penalties will apply if:-

1. You significantly exceed the word count of 1500 words
2. You make your submission after the deadline of 10am on Monday 16th December
2024.

Further details of these penalties can be found in the ‘KBS Assessments Guidance 2024/25’
document.

Assessment Support Information

During the tutorials for the module you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the
assessment for the module including the coursework essay. As your work on your essay
progresses in the weeks prior to the deadline you will be able to raise in tutorials any questions
you have about how best to approach the coursework essay. You can also arrange to meet
members of the teaching team for the module during their office hours.

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Marking Criteria – 4QQMN137 Social Science and Modern Business

Level 4
Grade All levels Outstanding answer, well written, highly structured &
A++ informed, showing striking personal insight and
First originality
90-100 Understanding Comprehensive understanding of the relevant philosophy
of social science literature covered in the module. Critical
evaluation of the theoretical positions considered or
concrete explanations reviewed. Comprehensive
understanding of the conceptual and/ or empirical issues
covered. Understanding developed through critical
reflection on competing perspectives discussed in the
module.
Depth of Accurate and clear exposition of the theoretical positions
Knowledge reviewed. Extensive range of sources used appropriately
and selected specifically to address the chosen topic.
Insightful and original discussion of these sources and
topic generally. Details presented reveal evidence of the
use of, and knowledge about, several perspectives
discussed in the module.
Structure Excellently structured, tightly focused, well written essay.
Compelling arguments made.
Grade All levels Highly thoughtful answer informed by wider reading,
A+ showing clarity of thought, personal insight and
First originality
80-89 Understanding Thorough understanding of the relevant philosophy of
social science literature covered in the module. Strong
evaluation of the theoretical positions considered or
concrete explanations reviewed. Thorough
understanding of the conceptual and/ or empirical issues
covered. Understanding developed through critical

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 reflection on competing perspectives discussed in the
module.
Depth of Accurate and clear exposition of the theoretical positions
Knowledge reviewed. Very wide range of sources used appropriately
and selected specifically to address the chosen topic.
Insightful and original discussion of these sources. Details
presented reveal evidence of the use of, and knowledge
about, several perspectives discussed in the module.
Structure Clear and fluent style. Very well focused and structured.
Very well written and illustrated essay.
Grade A All levels Thoughtful answer informed by wider reading showing
First clarity of thought and personal insight
70-79 Understanding Thorough understanding of the relevant philosophy of
social science literature covered in the module Strong
evaluation of the theoretical positions considered or
concrete explanations reviewed. Thorough
understanding of the conceptual and/ or empirical issues
covered.
Depth of Accurate and clear exposition of the theoretical positions
Knowledge reviewed. Wide range of sources used appropriately and
selected specifically to address the chosen topic.
Insightful and original discussion of these sources. Details
presented reveal evidence of the use of, and knowledge
about, several perspectives discussed in the module.
Structure Clear, logical and integrated argument.
Grade B All Levels Good understanding of basic principles and relevant
Upper evidence, with a coherent and logical argument
2nd Understanding Good understanding of the relevant philosophy of social

60 – 69 science literature covered in the module. Evaluation of

the theoretical positions considered or concrete
explanations reviewed. Thorough understanding of the
conceptual and/ or empirical issues covered.
Depth of Accurate and reasonably clear exposition of the
Knowledge theoretical positions reviewed. Wide range of sources

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 used appropriately and selected specifically to address
the chosen topic. Details presented reveal evidence of the
use of, and knowledge about, several perspectives
discussed in the module.
Structure Coherent, well organised and logical argument which is
well illustrated with relevant examples.
Grade C All Levels Sound understanding demonstrated with some
Lower analysis
2nd Understanding Sound understanding of the relevant philosophy of social
50 – 59 science literature covered in the module. Some relevant
evaluation of the theoretical positions considered or
concrete explanations reviewed. Sound understanding of
the conceptual and/ or empirical issues covered.
Depth of Appropriate reading is demonstrated to support the
Knowledge discussion. Evidence of sound understanding of at least
one perspective covered in the module.
Structure Clearly presented argument but limited development of
key themes and only partial appreciation of relevant
conceptual, methodological and/ or empirical issues.
Largely descriptive discussion, limited critical
engagement of the positions considered.
Grade D All Levels Basic understanding of main issues demonstrated
Third Understanding General knowledge of the relevant philosophy of social
40 – 49 science literature covered in the module. Limited relevant
evaluation of the theoretical positions considered or
concrete explanations reviewed. Highly partial
understanding of the conceptual and/ or empirical issues
covered.
Depth of Some relevant reading is demonstrated to support the
Knowledge discussion. Some understanding of at least one
perspective covered in the module. Unclear knowledge
of, or poor use of perspectives discussed in the module.
Structure Largely descriptive discussion. Some sections unclear.

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 Grade F All Levels Unsystematic incomplete and / or inaccurate FAIL.
+ Understanding Some general knowledge of the relevant philosophy of
Fail social science literature covered in the module. However,
33 – 39 the basic requirements stated in the coursework
assignment are not met. Very limited relevant evaluation
of the theoretical positions considered or concrete
explanations reviewed.
Depth of Refers to an inappropriate literature. No substantial
Knowledge evidence of using relevant perspectives covered in the
module
Structure Disorganised and unclear presentation that does not
address the coursework assignment.
Grade F All Levels Unsystematic incomplete and / or inaccurate, FAIL.
Fail Understanding Very little knowledge of the relevant literature. Lacks a
20- 32 focus on an issue related to the coursework assignment
or set examination questions. Displaying serious
confusions.
Depth of Poor or inappropriate literature reviewed. Demonstrates
Knowledge poor understanding of the perspectives covered in the
module.
Structure Poor presentation, spelling and grammatical errors,
unacceptably brief
Grade All Levels Unsystematic incomplete and / or inaccurate, FAIL.
FF Understanding Very little knowledge and understanding of relevant
Fail perspectives or of any of the relevant literature discussed
0- 19 in the module. Very substantial and serious confusions.
Depth of Poor, inappropriate or simply no literature reviewed. Very
Knowledge limited range of sources used when discussing literature.
Shows no discernible knowledge or understanding of
issues discussed in the module, lacks coherence.
Structure Very poor presentation, poor spelling and grammar, lacks
structure.