Students

MHIS121 – After the Black Death: Europe 1348-1789

2015 – S2 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Nicholas Baker
Contact via nicholas.baker@mq.edu.au
W6A 412
Thursday and Friday 2-3 pm
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
In 1348 a horrific pandemic struck the Eurasian landmass. The Black Death killed between one-third and one-half of the European population and threatened the collapse of Western Europe's glittering medieval civilization. This unit explores what happened next. Over the next four-and-one-half centuries, Europe experienced a period of dramatic and enduring change, out which many features of the modern, western world emerged. Beginning with the horrors of the Black Death, this era witnessed the splendour of the Renaissance, violent religious disputes and changes, the challenge of the new world of the Americas, the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and closed with the bloodshed and upheaval of the French Revolution. Students will analyse the multiple and contradictory impulses that shaped Europe and it engagement with the wider world between 1350 and 1800.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand and explain the extent to which European life altered between the Middle Ages and the French Revolution.
  • Analyze and assess the impact that various events, movements, and ideas had on European societies and cultures during the early modern period.
  • Read, evaluate, and ask questions of a variety of primary source documents.
  • Synthesize their understanding and analysis into clear, specific, historical arguments presented in grammatically correct writing with appropriate references.
  • Engage with staff and other students in critical, open, and evidence-based classroom discussions.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Participation 20% On-going
Document Analysis 20% 17/08/15
Outlining an Argument 20% 06/10/15
Final Synoptic Essay 40% 09/11/15

Participation

Due: On-going
Weighting: 20%

Knowledge only advances through debate and engagement with others: learning is not a solitary enterprise. Students are expected to participate in weekly online discussion forums These forums provide an opportunity to discuss the readings and lectures and to raise any problems or questions. Students will be assessed weekly on both the quality and extent of their participation in discussions. Each forum will commence on the Thursday of each week and will be open only until midnight the following Thursday. Students are expected to have completed the required readings before each Thursday so that they are ready to begin participating when the forum opens. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand and explain the extent to which European life altered between the Middle Ages and the French Revolution.
  • Analyze and assess the impact that various events, movements, and ideas had on European societies and cultures during the early modern period.
  • Read, evaluate, and ask questions of a variety of primary source documents.
  • Engage with staff and other students in critical, open, and evidence-based classroom discussions.

Document Analysis

Due: 17/08/15
Weighting: 20%

A 1,000-word analysis of a primary source as an historical document: to assess and evaluate it usefulness, reliability and limitations for historians in understanding early modern European society and culture. This task requires applies the skills in analysing historical documents that will be practiced in tutorials to a previously unseen document.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyze and assess the impact that various events, movements, and ideas had on European societies and cultures during the early modern period.
  • Read, evaluate, and ask questions of a variety of primary source documents.
  • Synthesize their understanding and analysis into clear, specific, historical arguments presented in grammatically correct writing with appropriate references.

Outlining an Argument

Due: 06/10/15
Weighting: 20%

A 1,000-word outline of an argument that could answer a historical question identified in the Document Analysis.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyze and assess the impact that various events, movements, and ideas had on European societies and cultures during the early modern period.
  • Read, evaluate, and ask questions of a variety of primary source documents.
  • Synthesize their understanding and analysis into clear, specific, historical arguments presented in grammatically correct writing with appropriate references.

Final Synoptic Essay

Due: 09/11/15
Weighting: 40%

A  2,000-word synoptic, reflective paper that synthesizes the material covered in the unit into a coherent, big-picture argument in an innovative or creative manner, in answer to one of three assigned topics. Students need to attend all lectures and complete all the assigned weekly readings to complete the essay successfully.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand and explain the extent to which European life altered between the Middle Ages and the French Revolution.
  • Analyze and assess the impact that various events, movements, and ideas had on European societies and cultures during the early modern period.
  • Read, evaluate, and ask questions of a variety of primary source documents.
  • Synthesize their understanding and analysis into clear, specific, historical arguments presented in grammatically correct writing with appropriate references.

Delivery and Resources

Required and Recommended Texts

Required Texts

The following two texts are required and are available for purchase from the University Co-Op Bookshop.

1. The European World, 1500-1800: An Introduction to Early Modern History, ed. Beat Kümin, Second ed. (London & New York, 2014)

2. MHIS121 Reader

All students are expected to own copies of these texts, to mark them up, and to use them during the online discussion forums. Copies of each are available on Reserve in the University Library and Kümin is also available electronically via the Library.

Recommended Readings

The following general, introductory texts are available on Reserve in the University Library (Cameron and Wiesner-Hanks are also available electronically) and are highly recommended for additional reading.

Euan Cameron ed. Early Modern Europe: An Oxford History (Oxford, 1999)

Johann Huizinga The Autumn of the Middle Ages (Chicago, 1996)

George Huppert After the Black Death: A Social History of Early Modern Europe, 2nd ed. (Bloomington, 1998)

Merry Wiesner-Hanks Early Modern Europe, 1450-1789 (Cambridge, 2006)

 

Technologies Used and Required

This unit uses iLearn. All students are expected to have internet access and use of a computer. All students are expected to have basic computer skills (such as use of email, word processing, and web browsing).

 

Unit Schedule

Week 1 The Medieval Legacy
Week 2 The Crises of the Fourteenth Century
Week 3 The Social World
Week 4 The Spiritual World
Week 5 The Physical World
Week 6 The Intimate World
Week 7 Renaissance
Week 8 New Worlds
Week 9 Reformation
Week 10 Leviathan
Week 11 The Scientific Revolution
Week 12 Enlightenment
Week 13 Reading Week

A detailed, weekly schedule of lectures, tutorial topics and readings will be available to enrolled students via iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Synthesize their understanding and analysis into clear, specific, historical arguments presented in grammatically correct writing with appropriate references.
  • Engage with staff and other students in critical, open, and evidence-based classroom discussions.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Outlining an Argument
  • Final Synoptic Essay

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Engage with staff and other students in critical, open, and evidence-based classroom discussions.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Outlining an Argument
  • Final Synoptic Essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand and explain the extent to which European life altered between the Middle Ages and the French Revolution.
  • Analyze and assess the impact that various events, movements, and ideas had on European societies and cultures during the early modern period.
  • Read, evaluate, and ask questions of a variety of primary source documents.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Document Analysis

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand and explain the extent to which European life altered between the Middle Ages and the French Revolution.
  • Read, evaluate, and ask questions of a variety of primary source documents.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Document Analysis
  • Outlining an Argument
  • Final Synoptic Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyze and assess the impact that various events, movements, and ideas had on European societies and cultures during the early modern period.
  • Synthesize their understanding and analysis into clear, specific, historical arguments presented in grammatically correct writing with appropriate references.
  • Engage with staff and other students in critical, open, and evidence-based classroom discussions.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Document Analysis
  • Outlining an Argument
  • Final Synoptic Essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Read, evaluate, and ask questions of a variety of primary source documents.
  • Synthesize their understanding and analysis into clear, specific, historical arguments presented in grammatically correct writing with appropriate references.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Document Analysis
  • Outlining an Argument
  • Final Synoptic Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Synthesize their understanding and analysis into clear, specific, historical arguments presented in grammatically correct writing with appropriate references.
  • Engage with staff and other students in critical, open, and evidence-based classroom discussions.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Document Analysis
  • Outlining an Argument
  • Final Synoptic Essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyze and assess the impact that various events, movements, and ideas had on European societies and cultures during the early modern period.
  • Engage with staff and other students in critical, open, and evidence-based classroom discussions.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Document Analysis
  • Outlining an Argument
  • Final Synoptic Essay

Assessment Policies

Assignment Submission

Written work must be submitted online via Turnitin. For instructions and information see the iLearn Student Guide to Turnitin http://www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/assignments.htm

Return of Marked Work

All written work will be returned online. Weekly quizzes will be returned in tutorial classes.

Extensions and Late Submissions

Students who encounter difficulties in meeting the deadlines for written assessment tasks should apply for an extension directly to teaching staff in advance of the due date. Appropriate documentation (such as a medical certificate) must be provided for an extension request to be approved. No extensions will be granted on or after the due date for any assessment task.

There is no automatic penalty for submitting assessment tasks late without an extension. However, a student who wishes to submit the assignment late without an extension must submit it directly to Dr. Baker. Any student who does so must be prepared to explain why the assignment is late, and to discuss what penalty will be assessed on the assignment as a result of its late submission. Assignments submitted more than two weeks' after the due date will only be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. The last date that any late assessment task will be accepted for grading is Friday 6 November 2015.

Turnitin will not accept late submissions for this unit - you must contact Dr. Baker directly in order to submit any assessment task after the due date.

Disruption to Studies

Students should familiarize themselves with the University's Disruption to Studies policy before submitting such a request. 

Students can submit Disruption to Studies requests online via ask.mq.edu.