STUDENT NAME: PROGRAMME:

STUDENT NUMBER: YEAR: 2020-2021 GROUP:

Module Number: BSP5003 Term: Oct Module Title: Contemporary Issues in International
Political Economy

Tutor Responsible For Marking This Assignment: Jihane Boumejd

Module Leader: Jihane Boumejd

Assignment Hand Out Date: 17.11.2020 Hand In Date: 29.12.2020

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: WRIT1 - 60% of overall grade

FEEDBACK DATE(Return of assignments to students): One month after submission

SECTION A: SELF ASSESSMENT (TO BE COMPLETED BY THE STUDENT)

In relation to each of the set assessment criteria, please identify the areas in which
you feel you have strengths and those in which you need to improve. Provide
evidence to support your self-assessment with reference to the content of your
assignment.
STRENGTHS AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

I certify that this assignment is a result of my own work and that all sources have been acknowledged:
Signed:______________________________________________ Date___________________________

SECTION B: TUTOR FEEDBACK (based on assignment criteria, key skills and where appropriate,
reference to professional standards)

STRENGTHS AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND TARGETS

FOR FUTURE ASSIGNMENTS

MARK/GRADE AWARDED DATE: SIGNED

ASSIGNMENT MODERATED BY: DATE

 MODERATOR’S COMMENTS:

Submission details:
 The deadline for submission into registry is on the Hand in Date shown on the
Feedback sheet (1st Page)
 Students are to submit in Moodle before the deadline
 Students must submit before 16.00. Any assessments brought after 16.00 will
not be accepted
 THE UNIVERSITY'S REGULATIONS CONCERNING CHEATING,
COLLUSION AND PLAGIARISM APPLY TO THIS EXAMINATION

Key Skills: The key skills addressed through this assessment are logical reasoning,
analysis, evaluating, synthesis, learning and study, structure and consistency.

Harvard Referencing: Complete reference list which MUST conform to the Harvard
System of Referencing, must be included at the end of your assignment and in text
citations where appropriate. A penalty will be applied if the references/citations are
not included!

Learning Outcomes covered

• Appreciate the interrelationship between economics and politics, and the

global nature of this relationship
• Compare and contrast alternative perspective on international political
economy
• Evaluate the importance of history and historical events in shaping the global
economy
• Assess the role and purpose of the institutional framework set up to manage
global affairs
• Evaluate the impact of the global environment on business decision making
and practice
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to carry out a critical analysis of the political and
economic interests of Morocco in the West Africa bloc, and the barriers in the
Kingdom’s way of achieving the desired economic integration. It aims at harnessing
the knowledge gained throughout the course and contextualising it in assessing a
pertinent regional event.

Assessment Brief
The Moroccan kingdom is increasing its presence in sub-Saharan Africa to boost its
economy and international standing. Moroccan banks accept greater risks to pursue
high returns in markets to the south, Casablanca is rebranded as a finance hub but
the country’s bid to join the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
faces opposition from members (Financial Times).
Despite the great diplomatic victory in 2017 with Morocco rejoining the African Union
after having left the union for 33 years, and the excellent relationships Morocco has
with the ECOWAS countries, the kingdom’s bid for a full-fledged membership has
been waiting approval since 2013.
Analyse the reasons behind this opposition and explore possible scenarios for the
Moroccan economic integration in ECOWAS bloc.

Assignment Format
The essay is 2400 words long minimum, and it is to be typed (title page, review,
references) double-spaced, using Times New Roman, with a font size 12. The
margins of the paper are to be 1 inch for the top, bottom, and sides.
A penalty will be applied for missing citations/references; and/or not meeting
the word count!
A minimum of 10 academic sources must be provided.

Guidance Notes
In order to carry out an effective analysis the concepts below should be thoroughly
explored and linked to any outcomes, conclusions and recommendations
Your analysis might therefore be guided by the following questions:

Historical  When was the ECOWAS founded? By whom?

background  What is this group vision for its member countries, and for the
 continent as a whole?
 How successful has this group been as appose to other
regional economic entities?

 What are the geopolitical underpinnings of Morocco’s

Geo-Political accession to ECOWAS, both to the Kingdom, and to the
factors group?

Economic  How does joining the ECOWAS benefit the Moroccan

factors economy?
 What added value can the Moroccan membership bring to the
group?
 Why is the Moroccan memberships being criticised by
economic lobbies in the ECOWAS countries? Provide an
example of at least one criticism and say how you think about
it.

Legal aspect  Are there any legal constrains related to the Moroccan
membership?
 What are the structural implications of such membership?

Alternative  How can Morocco foster business relations with this part of
scenarios Africa, besides high-diplomacy level efforts?
 Assessment Marking Criteria (BSP5003 WRIT1) Academic Year 2020/2021

First Marker: Second Marker:

Student Name:

Assessment criteria Weight in

Note that in addition to these assignment specific criteria, you should also be aware of the percentage
generic CMU/ SIST Assessment Criteria as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Historical
background
20%

Geo-Political
factors
20%

Economic
factors
20%

Legal aspect

10%

Alternative
scenarios
30%

100
Total

General Comments:
Marking Scheme
90 - 100 A quite exceptional and outstanding answer, providing insights which would not be
available publicly, and would, with some editing, be publishable. In addition to the
features of the next section, this range is distinguished by superior organisation,
economic use of language and totally comprehensive, given the conditions of the
exercise.

80 - 89 An answer which demonstrates an excellent understanding of the question and of the

complexity of the issues involved. There is a sound basis of relevant factual knowledge
and/or the theoretical issues involved. Most of the important issues are dealt with in a
detailed, specific and systematic way. There is either some measure of original thinking
in the answer or an accurate and comprehensive account is given in a way which
demonstrates understanding, for example by structuring the material such that it could not
have been based just on reproduction of lecture notes and programme material.
Evidence of creativity, critical approach, and wide reading beyond the core subject matter.

70 - 79 As above but a slightly less consistently excellent level. Alternatively, this range of mark
may be given for an answer which, while not having original insights, gives
comprehensive and accurate coverage of the issues at a high level throughout the
answer, without significant omissions or errors.

60 - 69 An answer which demonstrates a clear understanding of the question and grasp of the
complexity of the issues involved. There is a sound basis of relevant factual knowledge
and/or of theoretical issues involved, with few significant errors. The issues involved are
dealt with in a systematic way. Some of the issues may be limited in critical approach, but
organised to display a comprehensive understanding and factual information essentially
complete.

50 - 59 An answer which demonstrates an understanding of the major or basic issues in the

question. There is a basis of factual knowledge and/or of relevant theoretical issues.
Although some errors may be present, the overall framework of the answer is sensible
and accurate. Most of all the issues may be dealt with at the level of obviously available
programme material given to the student. The answer shows planning in its construction,
with a clear train of thought or development of argument present. Average competent
performance, well presented, demonstrating understanding of most of the essential
issues.

40 - 49 An answer which demonstrates a limited understanding of the major or basic issues in the
question. There is some relevant factual knowledge and/or awareness of theoretical
issues, but it is patchy. A few significant errors may be present. The answer is not well
planned, with little development of argument, and often much irrelevant material is
present. Lacks clarity of expression.

The lower range (40-45) would include an answer where relevant factual knowledge
and/or awareness of theoretical issues is poor and confused, but not absent. Many
significant errors may be present. The answer is poorly planned, with little clear train of
thought or development of argument, and much of the answer may be irrelevant.

38 - 39 An answer which fails to demonstrate any appreciable understanding of the major issues
or basic issues of the question. Relevant factual knowledge and/or awareness of
theoretical issues, if present at all, is very poor and confused and very limited. Many
significant errors may be present. Much or all of the answer may be irrelevant. Poorly
organised and very limited in scope.

30 - 37 Attempts an answer, but relevant factual knowledge and/or awareness of theoretical

issues is very poor and confused, and very limited with many significant errors.
10 - 29 Not clear that an answer is properly attempted. Only a few minor points made at all
relevant to the answer and these may be superficial. Most material is irrelevant or
incorrect.

1 - 9 An answer that is so short or irrelevant that only a few marks are justified. For example,
one or two points may be made which show some peripheral awareness of certain
possibly relevant issues.