Department of Psychology, Sociology & Politics

Assessment Brief

Module Title: Inequality Health and Poverty

Module Code: 77-702038
Level: 7
Module Leaders: Lauren Joyce
Academic year: 2022/23
Semester: 1
Task number: 1
Weighting: 100%
Sit/Resit (delete as necessary):
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Assessment Brief

Assessment Task

Write a 3000 word essay that is appropriate for an academic audience

Aim: Critically analyse the extent to which social determinants of health explain health inequalities in
relation to one contemporary health topic in a population group of a specific geographic area
The following table shows some examples:
Contemporary Health Issue Population Geographical Area
Group

Infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS; STIs;   A country

Malaria; Yellow Fever; Tuberculosis;
COVID-19; Hepatitis…) By age (e.g.
Older people)

Chronic diseases and conditions By gender  

(Diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and/or sexual
diseases) orientation A region (e.g. urban/rural)
(women;
LGBTIQ+…)

Mental Health By
ethnicity/race

Substance use (Drugs, Alcohol) Immigrants  

A city

Sexual and reproductive health  

Low-income
families 
Access to healthcare  
A locality

Disease prevention People with

disabilities

Food and nutrition security

Information for ALL students on submission of this coursework
 Essays, reports, portfolios and dissertations must be in Arial 11 or Times New Roman font
size 12

 Please use APA referencing convention. Follow this link for further support:
http://libguides.shu.ac.uk/referencing

 Please note that if your work exceeds the specified limit(s), it will be marked up to the word
limit (plus or minus 10%) only. The number of words you have used in the assessment must
be stated at the end of the main body of your answer.

 Materials listed in your bibliography or appendices will not be included in your word count

 Everything in your main text including quotations and headings will be included in your word
count.

 The date and time of the submission of your work for this assessment can be found on your
module BB site.

 University Regulations on academic conduct apply to all assessments. You are reminded that
to represent as your own work the work of another person without acknowledgement is
defined as plagiarism and is a breach of these regulations. All quotations need to be
referenced appropriately. By submitting the work you are confirming that this work is your
own. You are required to familiarise yourself with the University's Academic Misconduct
Policy. Academic misconduct can have serious repercussions for your academic (and later,
professional) career. Please note that all students' work could be subjected to plagiarism
checks using text matching software.

 If you have a Learning Contract that tutors must take account of when marking your work,
please include appropriate wording on your assessment submission. Contact Disabled Student
Support on 0114 225 3964 for further advice if required.

 If you are experiencing problems, you should contact Student Services staff via Hallam Help
on 0114 225 2222 or via email to: hallamhelp@shu.ac.uk.

Additional information about electronic submission

All coursework submitted electronically need to be submitted in accordance with the following
guidelines:
 Submission means that a correctly formatted electronic copy has been submitted in the correct
method via Blackboard, by the deadline set. Failure to do so may result in a mark of zero
being awarded.

 Your work must be submitted via Blackboard - please refer to the Module Blackboard site for
further details on how to upload your work.

 Blackboard will allow you to submit unlimited times up to the deadline, but only your final
submission will be marked

 It is your responsibility to ensure that your work is successfully submitted. You will receive
an email receipt confirming your submission. Please check this and keep it for your
reference.
  For essays, reports and portfolios your work must be submitted using a Microsoft Word file
format (doc or docx)

 For posters and presentations, your work should be submitted using Microsoft PowerPoint or
Prezi.

 Submissions using file formats other than those listed above may affect your work being
marked, and the feedback you may receive.

 The work you submit must not be password protected.

 Coursework sent by fax or by email will not be accepted.
 You must retain an electronic copy of your work. Failure to produce a copy on request will
result in a mark of zero for the assessment task.

Extensions and Extenuating Circumstances

If you are unable to meet the assessment deadline, you can find further advice here Extenuating
Circumstances Policy and Procedure. Please also be aware of the differences between Exceptional
Extension Requests and a Request to Repeat an Assessment Attempt. Where possible, we strongly
advise you to speak to Student Services staff (see contact details below) in such circumstances, so that
the correct support and advice can be given.
Further Support
 Further assessment information can be found on the Module Blackboard site in the content area
called ‘Assessment’.

 The skills centre provides academic skills support for all students.

 If you have any queries relating to the assessment please contact the module leader

Please note: Tutors are not allowed to comment on drafts.

If you are experiencing personal difficulties which may impact on your assessment performance
and/or your ability to meet the assessment deadline, you should contact Student Services staff via the
Helpdesk as soon as possible on 0114 225 2222 or via email to: hallamhelp@shu.ac.uk.

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 Level 7: Generic grade descriptor
Class Category Grade % General Characteristics
Exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding evidenced by own independent insight and critical awareness of relevant literature and concepts at the forefront
of the discipline; evidence of extensive and appropriate independent inquiry operating with advanced concepts, methods and techniques to solve problems in unfamiliar
Exceptional
Distinction 16 82 contexts; Cogent arguments and explanations are consistently provided using a range of media demonstrating an ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats using a
Distinction
sophisticated level of the English language in an eloquent and professional manner to both technical and non-technical audiences; a sustained academic approach to all aspects
of the tasks is evidenced; academic work extends boundaries of the disciplines and is beyond expectation of the level and may achieve publishable or commercial standard.
High
15 78 Excellent knowledge and understanding evidenced by some clear independent insight and critical awareness of relevant concepts some of which are at the forefront of the
Distinction
discipline; evidence of appropriate independent inquiry operating with core concepts, methods and techniques to solve complex problems in mostly familiar contexts;
Distinction Mid
14 75 Arguments and explanations are provided that is well-supported by the literature and in some cases uses a range of media demonstrating an ability to communicate effectively in
Distinction
a limited number of formats using own style that is suited to both technical and non-technical audiences; a sustained academic approach to most aspects of the tasks is
Low
13 72 evidenced; one or more aspects of the academic work is beyond the prescribed range and evidences a competent understanding of all of the relevant taught content.
Distinction
High Merit 12 68 Very good knowledge and understanding is evidenced as the student is typically able to independently relate taught facts/concepts together some of which are at the
Merit forefront of the discipline; evidence of some competent independent inquiry operating with core concepts, methods and techniques to solve familiar problems; Arguments and
Mid Merit 11 65 explanations are provided that are typically supported by the literature and in some cases may challenge some received wisdoms; competently uses all taught media and
communication methods to communicate effectively in a familiar settings; an academically rigorous approach applied to some aspects of the tasks is evidenced; some beyond
Low Merit 10 62 the prescribed range, may rely on set sources to advance work/direct arguments; demonstrates autonomy in approach to learning.
Satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the area of study balanced towards the descriptive rather than critical or analytical and mostly confined to concepts that are
High Pass 9 58
not at the forefront of the discipline; evidence of some independent reading and research to advance work and inform arguments and approaches; Arguments and
Pass explanations are limited in range and depth although some are adequately supported by the literature albeit descriptively rather than critically; competently uses at least one
Mid Pass 8 55
taught media and communication method to communicate appropriately in familiar settings; although the approach applied to some aspects of the tasks may lack academic
rigour, there are some clear areas of competence within the prescribed range. Relies on set sources to advance work/direct arguments and communicated in a way which
Low Pass 7 52
shows clarity but structure may not always be coherent.
Borderline
6 48
Fail Knowledge and understanding is insufficient as the student only evidences an understanding of small subset of the taught concepts and techniques; fails to make sufficient
links between known concepts and facts to adequately solve relevant aspects of the brief/problem; little ability to independently select and evaluate reading/research with
Mid Fail 4 45
FAIL almost total reliance on set sources and unsubstantiated arguments/methods; communication/presentation may be competent in places but fails to demonstrate structure,
clarity and/or focus; inability to adequately define problems and make reasoned judgements; the general approach to tasks lacks rigor and competence.
Low Fail 2 42

Knowledge and understanding is highly insufficient as the student is unable to evidence any meaningful understanding of taught concepts or methods; very limited evidence
FAIL of reading and research to advance work; inadequate technical and practical skills as the student is unable to use and apply such skills to address problems or make
Very Low Fail 1 38
judgements; limited or lack of understanding of the boundaries of the discipline and does not question received wisdom; approach to learning lacks autonomy and approach to
tasks is not sustained; inability to communicate coherently.

ZERO Zero 0 0 Work not submitted, work of no merit, penalty in some misconduct cases.