MGX5730: 2011, Semester 2: Assignment tasks for on campus students

ASSIGNMENT ONE: Class Presentation: 20% of the final mark

Each student is required to sign up to a topic to meet the assessment requirements of this Unit. The maximum time limit for each individual presentation is 10 minutes. In total, 2 presentations should not exceed 20 minutes and 3 presentations should not exceed 30 minutes. Presentations begin in week 3. Please read the following guidelines very carefully. Guidelines 1. This is a group assignment. While you have to prepare for your own part of the presentation and you are assessed individually, you need to work with your group partner to make sure that your presentations flow well and that you have managed to cover the different sides of the argument in a clear and coherent manner. 2. The assignment tasks are listed in Table 2 below. You have to demonstrate that you have understood the lecture notes, the reading material and the question asked. In addition, you have to use appropriate examples to make your case (see marking criteria on the next page). You can use up to 3 power point slides per presentation written in your own words. You then need to verbally address the points you have listed in your slides. The slides are just to guide you during your presentation. You are NOT permitted to read notes throughout the presentation. The notes are just to guide you as you present your work. If you read notes or slide material without explaining anything in your own words, then your tutor will ask you to stop and ask you to present in your own words. Each student is required to prepare a 1,000 word brief based on his/her side of the presentation. These are individual and NOT joint briefs. The brief has to be fully referenced. Please note the faculty has set procedures to deal with cases of plagiarism. Reference any work or ideas that are not your own. If you plagiarise, or if the brief is not written in your own words, then you will be penalised as per the faculty policy. You have to demonstrate that you have understood the question asked, as well as demonstrate your ability to deliver a strong verbal and written argument (see marking criteria on the next page). You need to provide your tutor with a hard copy of your slides as well as your individual 1000-word brief on the day of your presentation.

3. 4.

5.

6.

7.

Page 1

Table 1. MGX5730 Class Presentation Marking Criteria (for each individual student)
Very Poor 1. Introduction (each student is required to introduce his/her own presentation) 2. Demonstrated understanding of the topic An understanding of the question An understanding of the multilateral trade policy issue in question 3. Analysis and critical thinking Presentation and written brief reflect critical evaluation of the literature Issues are well analysed and strongly argued Argument is well supported through the use of relevant examples 4. Ability to work in a group effectively Demonstrated ability to work with other group partner(s) 5. Structure and creative aspects of the presentation Well planned with a clear structure The use of creative ideas 6. Review of relevant literature and referencing Scholarly literature Other literature Referencing (as per instructions provided on page 1) 7. Conclusion each student should conclude his/her own presentation individually Comments and Grade Poor Average Good Very good Excellent

Page 2

Table 2. ASSIGNMENT TOPICS WEEK 3 TO WEEK 12

The first 2 slots are to be filled. Students who enroll later will fill the last slot each week. Week No
Week 3 Student presentation (2 students)

Topic
The World Trade Organisation: Structure and Decision Making

Prepare a power point presentation to make your case

You are the trade minister of a developing country which is also a WTO member (you can choose the country). On behalf of a group of developing countries you need to coherently present the problems that your country is facing in terms of decision-making in the WTO. (Use your own creative examples. Do NOT repeat material from the lectures). You are a WTO employee. You need to comprehensively respond to the given governments argument above clearly highlighting the strengths of the WTOs decision making system and changes that have been made to the system to assist smaller nations. (Use your own creative examples. Do NOT repeat material from the lectures).

Name of the Student

Class debate topic Week 4 Student presentation (3 students)

The WTO decision making system is the fairest it can be in the absence of a world government Bilateral and Regional Trade Policy: Part One You are the trade representative of an imaginary country based in the Asian region. After outlining the profile of your country (size, population, economic and social position etc.) explain why your country is keen to join ASEAN. You are a member of a local think tank of the same imaginary country based in the Asian region. Explain why you are lobbying your government not to join ASEAN. You are an academic based in the ASEAN region. You need to critically analyse both presentations and outline what you think of the issues posed by both the representatives.

Class debate topic

Bilateral trade agreements have mainly surged due to the problems with the Doha Development round

Page 3

Week 5 Student presentation (3 students)

Bilateral and Regional Trade Policy Part Two

You are the trade negotiator for a small Pacific Island nation. Explain why you are keen to sign the Pacific-Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU.

You are a trade negotiator from the European Union. Explain why the EU is moving away from non-reciprocal trade agreements with Pacific Islands nations to reciprocal Economic Partnership Agreements.

You are a member on a leading NGO based in the Pacific. You need to coherently respond to the two presentations and then outline the concerns you have with the Pacific EPA. Class debate topic Week 6 Student presentation (3 students) North-South bilateral trade agreements offer very little to developing countries Policy Space in international trade policy decision making You are a trade negotiator from India. In a televised interview, you need to clearly outline the Indian governments view on policy space in the WTO system. Does the WTO system constrain Indians domestic policies and if so how? You are a trade negotiator from South Africa. In a televised interview, you need to clearly outline the South African governments view on policy space in the WTO system. Does the WTO system constrain South Africas domestic policies and if so how?

You are a commentator on trade issues. You need to clearly respond to both presentations and draw your own conclusions. Does the WTO system constrain policy space? Class debate topic The WTO has in no way constrained the policy space of member nations

Page 4

Week 7 Student Presentation (3 students)

India and China in the World Trading System

You are a representative from the Chinese trade ministry. You need to clearly explain why China joined the WTO, what it hoped to gain and what it has gained. You are a trade representative from the Indian government. You need to clearly explain the importance of the WTO to India and in your view what the government will do to ensure the continuation of the Doha Round. You are a commentator on trade policy. You need to clearly explain India and Chinas role in the world trading system and the future of the WTO given the shifting balance of power.

Class debate topic Week 8 Student presentation (3 students)

The rise of India and China has fundamentally altered the negotiation dynamics in the WTO Agriculture in the WTO You are a member of the delegation from Brazil. You need to explain your position on the problems with the market access rules of the AoA and how they need to be changed especially given the current global food crisis and food security issues that developing countries face. You are a member of the delegation from the EU. You need to respond to the Brazilian government in terms of the market access rules and explain clearly why you feel developing countries like India need to lower their agricultural trade barriers. You are a commentator on trade policy. You need to respond to both presentations and explain whether in your view the market access rules of the AoA have affected the right to food and if so, then how?

Class debate topic

The AoA rules, weak as they are, are important for securing global food security

Page 5

Week 9 Student presentation (3 students)

Intellectual Property Rights in the WTO

You are a government official from a small developing country in the Latin American region. You need to explain the problems that your country is facing in terms of the TRIPS rules from a right to essential medicines perspective. (Use your own creative examples. Do NOT repeat material from the lectures). You are a member of an NGO based in Malaysia. You need to explain how the TRIPS rules will affect the right to essential medicines not just in Malaysia but in a large part of the developing world. (Use your own creative examples. Do NOT repeat material from the lectures). You are the CEO of a major pharmaceutical company based in the United States. You need to respond to both the presentations above and explain why TRIPS is a very important WTO agreement in terms of ensuring investment in the research and development of new medicines.

Class debate topic Week 10 Student presentation (3 students)

The globalization of intellectual property through TRIPS is extremely important for innovation, research and development, especially in the third world Social Backlash Against the MTS You are a member of a leading NGO. Using strong examples, you need to clearly explain why there has been a social backlash against the WTO. You are a member of an international trade union. You need to clearly explain your position on the WTO and explain the social backlash against the WTO. You are a leading prominent neo-liberal economist. You need to clearly explain why you feel that the social backlash against the WTO is unwarranted. Use strong examples to make your case.

Class debate topic Week 11 Student presentation (2 students)

The anger against the WTO is totally misplaced International Trade and the Environment You are a representative of a major environmental NGO. You need to make a case about how the WTO system and bilateral and regional trade agreements are compromising multilateral environmental agreements. Use relevant examples to make your case. You are a representative of the WTO. You need to present a case about how the WTO system is structured to ensure sustainable development in both

Page 6

developing and developed countries alike. Use relevant examples to make your case. Class Debate Topic Week 12 Student presentation (2 students) The WTO has led to a race to the bottom in terms of environmental standards and best environmental practice The global financial crisis and the multilateral trading system You are a leading academic. You need to clearly explain the implications of the global financial crisis for the multilateral trading system. You are also a leading academic. You need to carefully respond to the above presentation and explain clearly whether you agree with the analysis of the first academic and provide clear reasons for your position.

Class Debate Topic

There will be a general discussion on the topic. Class participation grades will be returned and there will be a discussion on the exam.

Page 7

ASSIGNMENT TWO
Essay

Marks Available: 30 Word Limit: 3000 words Due Date: Monday 12 September, 5pm (Melbourne time)

TASK DETAILS In 3000 words you are required to critically analyse and evaluate the Doha development round in light of the arguments raised by Cambridge University economist Ha-Joon Chang: Ha-Joon Chang, (2003), Protecting the Global Poor, Prospect Magazine, Issue 136, July 2007

Marking criteria for this task are outlined on the following page. Faculty Style Guide Work submitted for this assessment must follow the Faculty Style as outlined in the Faculty Q Manual. Copies of this Manual can be obtained at the bookshop or on line at URL: http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/publications/qmanual/

Plagiarism The Faculty has very strict procedures to deal with cases of plagiarism. See http://policy.monash.edu.au/policy-bank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarismprocedures.html Importantly see http://policy.monash.edu.au/policybank/academic/education/conduct/plagiarism-procedures.html Please make sure that you understand clearly what plagiarism is and the Faculty procedures on plagiarism. SUBMISSION Soft Copy via Damocles This is mandatory for all students on all campuses All students are required to submit a copy of their essay by the due date and time in electronic format via Damocles. The submission login can be found at: http://damocles.infotech.monash.edu.au/damocles/submit/submissions.sv?subaction=showLogi n If you do not submit your essay via Damocles, then your essay will not be marked. The document you submit through Damocles should be entitled as follows: your Last Name First Name followed by 1. For Example, a document submitted by Jagjit Plahe would be entitled Plahe Jagjit 1. This is important. You will be penalised if over 15% of your essay is not written in your own words even if your work is properly referenced. You MUST write in your own words. Remember stringing Page 8

together quotes from various sources (even if you carefully reference them) does not constitute writing an essay. Students will be penalised for plagiarism as per the facultys plagiarism policy.

Students at the Sunway campus In addition to submitting a soft copy via Damocles, you are required to submit a hard copy to your tutor by the due date and time. Applications for Extension of Time Applications for an extension of time allocated to an assessment task must be made by completing the application form found at URL. http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/student/exams/speccon.html. The form must be submitted to the Chief Examiner for approval. Penalties for Late Lodgement A maximum penalty of 5% of the total mark allocated to this assessment will be deducted for each day that it is late. Return of Marked Assignments Students will receive their marked assignments approximately 3 weeks after submission.

Page 9

Table 3: MGX 5730, MARKING CRITERIA FOR ASSIGNMENT 2 Poor 1. Introduction 2. Review of relevant literature Use of scholarly literature Use of other literature 3. Analysis and critical thinking A demonstrated understanding of the multilateral trading system and the Doha Development Round A demonstrated ability to develop a strong, clear and concise written argument using appropriate examples Critical analysis 4. Essay Structure and flow Essay structure Presentation, organisation and flow Grammar, punctuation and spelling Appropriate word length Conclusion derived from a strong argument 5. Use of References References cited are relevant to the chosen topic Accurate text citation of references as per the Q manual Comments Average Good Very Good Excellent

Grade

Page 10

ASSIGNMENT THREE Class Participation

Marks Available: 10
1. Each student is required to be present in class in order to meet the assessment requirements of the unit. Remember if you do not attend the classes, then you will not meet the assessment requirements of this unit. Also attendance does not mean participation. You will have to engage in the class debate to meet the assessment requirements of this unit. 2. Each student is required to participate in the class debate after the group presentation. The presentation topics are all listed in Table 2 above (they follow the group presentation topics). 3. Each student will be individually assessed each week and their mark for the class debate will be finalised in week 12 as per the marking criteria below. 4. Remember, you will be assessed individually and so you need to make your individual contribution to the group discussion.

Table 4: MGX5730 Class Participation Marking Criteria

Each Week Demonstrated understanding of the topics Demonstrated preparation for the topics Ability to argue a case clearly and coherently Ability to use relevant examples to make a case Critical analysis Comments and Grade Very Poor Poor Average Good Very Good Excellent

Page 11