ESSAY 2 (2000 WORDS)

NOTES:

A higher standard of essay in terms of development of ideas is expected.

Unlike the first essay, a wider range of reading is expected for this essay. You must

use a minimum of 5 sources (not ALL internet sources, some books must be used).

Correct referencing is essential – so when taking notes record page numbers,

publishing dates, book titles etc.

Essay 2 is still an argumentative essay so the lessons learned from essay 1

still apply.

PLEASE NOTE: The references supplied are suggested references only. Please search the various library catalogues (UC, National Library, the ACT Llibraries etc.) freely for your own.

PSYCHOLOGY

1. 
   

   Choose a current theory of human development and research it, then discuss its merits or otherwise.

   
   

References: Erikson (preferred) ‘The Life Cycle Completed’, BF713.E74 1997; ‘Identity: youth and crisis’, BF697.E71 1968; ‘Childhood and Society’, HQ781.E75 1963. Levinson and Gould are also other good choices. It is best to start at a general book on life development and use the index and bibliography for extra references.

2. 
   

   ‘Intelligence is defined by the IQ test’ – critically discuss.

   
   

References: ‘Frames of mind: the theory of multiple intelligence’, BF431.G244 1985. And the general area, on the shelves, around this number.

SOCIOLOGY

a) ‘The media does not influence our values’ - critically discuss.

References: ‘Media communication: an introduction to theory and process’, P90.W37 2003; ‘Mass media and social problems’, HM258.H63 1982

b) ‘Morality begins at home’ – critically discuss.

References: ‘Moral learning and development: theory and research’, LC268.G7 1972; ‘Psychoanalysis and moral values’, BJ47.H33 1960

c) ‘We are merely gene machines’ – critically discuss.

References: ‘The Nature-Nurture debate: the essential readings’, BF341.N37 1999; ‘Not in our genes: biology, ideology and human nature’, BF341.L49 1984;

3. 
   

   ‘Gender roles are biologically based not socially constructed’ - critically discuss. Look under sbject headings of sociology, psycholgy and feminism and gender in the library catalogue.

   
   

4. 
   

   War can never be justified. Discuss in relation to ethics.

   
   

HISTORY

a) Did Britain betray Australia in February 1942?

References: David Day,(1988) The Great Betrayal or David Day, The Politics of War (2003) Use David Day’s bibliography for further references.

b) Did the Whitlam government change Australia?

References: There are many books on the Whitlam era and any library search will give a long list. I suggest one reference before 1980 and one after 1985 would be a good starting point.

c) Witchcraft trials were commonplace throughout Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. How have historians explained this phenomenon?

OTHER CHOICES

a) Australia is a democracy.

References Robert A. Dahl ‘Democracy and its Critics’. JC423.D26478.1989

b) ‘The jury system is the only way to ensure justice’ - discuss.

Reference: ‘Understanding world jury systems through social psychological

research’, KB170.U53 2006; ‘The concept of justice’, KA35.S77 2006; , KB170.U53

2006; ‘The concept of justice’, KA35.S77 1965 (and any others).

YOU CANNOT CHOOSE YOUR OWN TOPIC