Students

AHIS339 – Capstone Unit: Greece, Rome, Late Antiquity

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ian Worthington
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp at 100 level or above including (21cp in AHIS or AHST units including (6cps in AHIS or AHST units at 300 level))
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The theme of this unit is the value and exploitation of ancient (re)sources (artifacts) as well as their pitfalls for ancient history. Through a series of weekly seminars in the first half of semester, students will be exposed to a different variety of ancient evidence, and will come to understand its importance for, and impact on, our knowledge of the Greek, Roman, and Late Antiquity. Particularly emphasized will be numismatic evidence, in which your major research paper, due at semester's end, will be anchored. This focus on ancient resources will give all Greek, Roman, and Late Antiquity students flexibility to pursue their own interests in papers while adding to their knowledge gained during the degree program and offering a reflective approach on all work done during that time.

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:

  • consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Greece and/or Rome and/or Late Antiquity
  • develop sophisticated research skills
  • articulate approaches to evaluating source material and, in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level
  • appreciate the larger issues that engage historians of Greece, Rome, and/or Late Antiquity and of the learning experiences encountered in the Ancient History Major

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
1 revised paper 30% No Week 7
2 research paper 60% No Week 13
3 Participation 10% No Week2-7/ not Week5

1 revised paper

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

Choose any paper you have already written for a recent ancient history course (in 2016 or 2017) and rewrite it from the angle of the relevant resources you have been learning about in the capstone. At the end, add a brief, half-page self-reflection of how different (if any) your argumentation and even conclusions are from what you turned in previously. The paper should be as long as the original version plus the additional half-page self-reflection (30%).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Greece and/or Rome and/or Late Antiquity
  • articulate approaches to evaluating source material and, in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level
  • appreciate the larger issues that engage historians of Greece, Rome, and/or Late Antiquity and of the learning experiences encountered in the Ancient History Major

2 research paper

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 60%

You will go to the ACANS to choose a coin (or coins) from a range selected by Assoc. Prof. Sheedy and made available to you. He will discuss them with you as needed when you are choosing. You will use your coinage as a point of entry to a topic that you wish to write about in consultation with a relevant academic staff person. In other words, start with the image(s) on the coin(s), i.e. the iconography, and move on from there, anchoring your paper in numismatics but not writing a numismatic paper per se.  Assoc. Prof. Sheedy has kindly offered to assist you in the numismatic analysis of your topic, but you must secure a staff member with expertise in your area as your primary adviser. The paper should be 3,000 words in length (60%).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Greece and/or Rome and/or Late Antiquity
  • develop sophisticated research skills
  • articulate approaches to evaluating source material and, in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level
  • appreciate the larger issues that engage historians of Greece, Rome, and/or Late Antiquity and of the learning experiences encountered in the Ancient History Major

3 Participation

Due: Week2-7/ not Week5
Weighting: 10%

Choose 1 question from each of the weekly seminars (weeks 2-7; excluding week 5) and comment on it briefly (200-250 words per response) in the online forum discussion room. Your response is due the Friday of each seminar (i.e. same day) by 11.00pm.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Greece and/or Rome and/or Late Antiquity
  • articulate approaches to evaluating source material and, in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level
  • appreciate the larger issues that engage historians of Greece, Rome, and/or Late Antiquity and of the learning experiences encountered in the Ancient History Major

Delivery and Resources

DELIVERY SCHEDULE, METHOD, UNIT WEBPAGE, TECHNOLOGY USED, SKILLS REQUIRED

Schedule: Internal: Campus Sessions (Weeks 1-7,13) - mandatory; Online (Weeks 1-7,13) - mandatory

Method: AHIS339 is delivered in blended mode as a Macquarie University unit of study.

Webpage: Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Technology used and skills required: PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.

Please contact teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.

Times and Locations for Lectures and Tutorials: 

There are no lectures or tutorials offered in this unit. 

There are seven campus sessions for this unit.

The campus session is scheduled in Week 1- Week 7/ Week 13. Internal students must attend.

WHEN: 11am-1pm, Fridays, starting 4 August

WHERE:  E6A 102 Theatrette

 

It is a requirement of this unit that students who are enrolled in Internal mode attend on-campus sessions. Students enrolled in External mode may attend campus sessions. All seminars will be recorded for digital upload.

 

All students must participate in weekly online seminars (Weeks 2-7).

Online seminars are scheduled for Weeks 2-7.

Required and recommended resources

Prescribed text(s): eReserve readings (see Topics for Discussion).

Prescribed unit materials: None

Recommended texts: prior Ancient History unit guides, bibliographies, and lecture/tutorial notes

Unit Schedule

Week 1: Introduction to the Unit

Week 2: Fragments of Greek Historians

Week 3: Can Prosopography Explain Tiberius Gracchus?

Week 4: Byzantine Hagiography

Week 5: Numismatics, Archaeology and the Study of Material Culture

Week 6: Greek Epigraphy and Restorations

Week 7: Human Sense and Ancient History

Week 8-12: Working on Research Paper (no classes/discussions)

Week 13: Final meeting/discussion

 

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_2016.html

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

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources 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

  • develop sophisticated research skills
  • formulate arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level

Assessment tasks

  • 1 revised paper
  • 2 research paper
  • 3 Participation

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 outcomes

  • develop sophisticated research skills
  • formulate arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level
  • appreciate the larger issues that engage historians of Greece, Rome, and/or Late Antiquity and of the learning experiences encountered in the Ancient History Major

Assessment task

  • 1 revised paper

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:

Assessment tasks

  • 2 research paper
  • 3 Participation

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

  • consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Greece and/or Rome and/or Late Antiquity
  • develop sophisticated research skills
  • articulate approaches to evaluating source material and, in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level
  • appreciate the larger issues that engage historians of Greece, Rome, and/or Late Antiquity and of the learning experiences encountered in the Ancient History Major

Assessment tasks

  • 1 revised paper
  • 2 research paper
  • 3 Participation

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

  • consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Greece and/or Rome and/or Late Antiquity
  • develop sophisticated research skills
  • articulate approaches to evaluating source material and, in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level
  • appreciate the larger issues that engage historians of Greece, Rome, and/or Late Antiquity and of the learning experiences encountered in the Ancient History Major

Assessment tasks

  • 1 revised paper
  • 2 research paper
  • 3 Participation

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

  • consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Greece and/or Rome and/or Late Antiquity
  • develop sophisticated research skills
  • articulate approaches to evaluating source material and, in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level

Assessment tasks

  • 1 revised paper
  • 2 research paper

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

  • develop sophisticated research skills
  • articulate approaches to evaluating source material and, in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level
  • appreciate the larger issues that engage historians of Greece, Rome, and/or Late Antiquity and of the learning experiences encountered in the Ancient History Major

Assessment task

  • 3 Participation

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

  • consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Greece and/or Rome and/or Late Antiquity
  • articulate approaches to evaluating source material and, in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level

Assessment tasks

  • 1 revised paper
  • 2 research paper

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Greece and/or Rome and/or Late Antiquity
  • appreciate the larger issues that engage historians of Greece, Rome, and/or Late Antiquity and of the learning experiences encountered in the Ancient History Major

Assessment task

  • 2 research paper

Changes from Previous Offering

a) Different theme, focus on ancient sources, especially numismatics

b) different work requirements

c) internal students will attend weekly seminars for first half of semester unlike last time when they did everything online