LM Transforming Identities

Assignments for this Module

* Formative assessment – 750 (max) word essay plan. Due 13:00, March 24th 2023 - please note
that any formative assignment submitted after this time will not be marked, unless an extension has
been granted.
* Summative assessed essay - This module will be assessed by one 4,000 word essay worth 100% of
your final grade. This essay is due in the summer assessment period, during a Submission Window
between 8th and 22nd May 2023.

Optional formative assignment: Essay Plan

Due: 24th March 2023 at 13:00 (1pm). Anything submitted after this time without an authorised
extension will not be marked. For extensions on formative pieces of work, please contact your
personal academic tutor to discuss.
For your formative assignment, you have the opportunity to submit an essay plan of your
summative assignment. Please select a question from the list of summative assessment questions on
canvas. The questions are as follows:
1. To what extent are late modern selves autonomous? Discuss with reference to at least one of the
substantive topics on the module.
2. How has the changing nature of work impacted upon the (late) modern self?
3. Is ‘play’ primarily a site of social control – or potential subversion?
4. What is the role of digital platforms in constructing contemporary identities?
5. What do consumption practices tell us about embodied self-identity?
6. Why have the politics of identity become so significant? What are the main consequences of
this?
7. Can self-actualisation be the basis of social transformation?
Note that your answer should use empirical illustrations and make reference to wider theories of the
self.

The word limit for the formative is 1000 words. While you are free to submit your plan in whatever
format suits you, you may find it useful to use the following table – adapted from page 5 of this
Short Guide to Essay Planning - as a template. As part of this, we recommend your plan includes a
statement of your overall argument, a summary of your overall structure, and one or two draft
paragraphs (please see the below table for full details of what you might include in your plan). A
version of the below table is also available to download from the Transforming Identities Canvas as
a word document (file name – Essay Plan Template).
Essay Plan
Please refer to this guidance provided by the Academic Skills Centre for more details on how to
prepare an essay plan.
Essay title
• Remember you must choose one of the seven set questions for your essay title.
Introduction
• State your overall argument/ thesis statement (i.e. your answer to the question) in no
more than 2 sentences.
 • Provide a brief summary of your overall structure (i.e. how you will make your argument/
answer the question).
• Please note that for your main essay you should also begin your introduction by
providing context for your essay/ define the problem you are addressing. However, this is not
necessary for the purpose of the essay plan (although you can do this if you want).
Body of essay
• 1st main point - Please provide draft paragraph. For guidance on structuring individual
paragraphs, please review this short guide provided by the Academic Skills Centre.
• 2nd main point - Please provide draft paragraph (if you have space, if not please provide
one sentence summarising key point of paragraph).
• 3rd main point - Provide one sentence summarising key point of paragraph.
• 4th main point - Provide one sentence summarising key point of paragraph.
• 5th main point - Provide one sentence summarising key point of paragraph.
• 6th main point - Provide one sentence summarising key point of paragraph.
• [Add more points if needed]
Conclusion
• Provide one sentence summarising your overall provisional conclusion.
List of references
• Please provide a list of references, presented in line with the Harvard referencing system.
Please see this guidance for more information. Your reference list does not count towards the word
limit for your essay plan.

In addition to the resources linked above, when writing your formative assessment you may wish to
refer to the following canvas resource. This highlights a range of strategies for structuring an
effective essay. In particular, the section on introductions is really useful.
https://bham.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=8291f32e-5fc8-4370-a7b3-ac3800e71
dce
Finally, it is important to note that the plan is provisional, and you are free to change what you like
(including which of the 7 questions you answer) for your summative submission. However, the
formative does provide an opportunity to start engaging with the assignment task - as well as get
some early feedback on your understanding of the module material and your essay writing more
generally - so we would strongly encourage you submit a plan if possible.

形成性论⽂：When writing your formative assessment you may wish to refer to the following
resource. It highlights a range of strategies for structuring an effective essay. In particular, the
section on introductions is really useful. You may wish to focus on constructing a strong
introduction as part of your formative assessment which defines the problem, sets out your
argument (thesis statement), your rationale for this and your strategy for developing that position.
https://bham.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=8291f32e-5fc8-4370-a7b3-ac3800e71
dce
4000 字：

Summative Assessment: 4,000 word Essay

Up to 4000 word essay (with +10% leeway), worth 100% of your final grade.
Choose ONE of the following questions:
Note that your answer should use empirical illustrations and make reference to wider theories of the
self.
1. To what extent are late modern selves autonomous? Discuss with reference to at least one of the
substantive topics on the module.
2. How has the changing nature of work impacted upon the (late) modern self?
3. Is ‘play’ primarily a site of social control – or potential subversion?
4. What is the role of digital platforms in constructing contemporary identities?
5. What do consumption practices tell us about embodied self-identity?
6. Why have the politics of identity become so significant? What are the main consequences of
this?
7. Can self-actualisation be the basis of social transformation?
Submission Window: 8th May - 22nd May 2023.
This means that you can submit the assignment any time between 8th and 22nd May 2023. If you
have more than one assignment due during this time, we strongly encourage you to spread your
submissions across different dates. This Submission Window closes at 13:00 on 22nd May.
Anything submitted after the end of the Submission Window will be deemed late and will therefore
incur the relevant late penalties.

Essay Plan

Please refer to this guidance provided by the Academic Skills Centre for more details on how to
prepare an essay plan.
Essay title
Remember you must choose one of the seven set questions for your essay title.
Introduction
State your overall argument/ thesis statement (i.e. your answer to the question) in no more than 2
sentences.
Provide a brief summary of your overall structure (i.e. how you will make your argument/ answer
the question).
Please note that for your main essay you should also begin your introduction by providing context
for your essay/ define the problem you are addressing. However, this is not necessary for the
purpose of the essay plan (although you can do this if you want).
Body of essay
1st main point
Please provide draft paragraph. For guidance on structuring individual paragraphs, please review
this short guide provided by the Academic Skills Centre.
2nd main point
Please provide draft paragraph (if you have space, if not please provide one sentence summarising
key point of paragraph).
3rd main point
Provide one sentence summarising key point of paragraph.
4th main point
Provide one sentence summarising key point of paragraph.
5th main point
Provide one sentence summarising key point of paragraph.
6th main point
Provide one sentence summarising key point of paragraph.
[add more points if needed]
Conclusion
Provide one sentence summarising your overall provisional conclusion
List of references
Please provide a list of references, presented in line with the Harvard referencing system. Please see
this guidance for more information. Your reference list does not count towards the word limit for
your essay plan.