Students

MHIS222 – Religion, Conflict, and Coexistence in the Early Modern Mediterranean

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convener
Nicholas Baker
W6A 412
Wednesday/Thursday 2-3 pm,
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
12cp at 100 level or above or (3cp in HIST or MHIS or POL units)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
In the sixteenth century, the Mediterranean Ocean appeared to form the contested border between two great empires: the Islamic Ottoman Empire of North Africa and the Middle East and the Christian Habsburg Empire of Europe. But this marine frontier was not simply a place of hostilities but also the point at which different peoples met and coexisted: a place inhabited by merchants and travelers as well as pirates, renegades, and holy warriors. This unit examines the multiple encounters and exchanges that occurred between Christians, Muslims, and Jews in the early modern Mediterranean, exploring questions of identity, geography, empire, and religion in an era of transition and change as the new Atlantic World began eclipse the older Mediterranean world.

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:

  • Comprehend, assess, and explain the history of the Mediterranean region in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with specific reference to six broad themes: space, empire, cities, faith, conflict, coexistence.
  • Evaluate and explain the utility of "space" as a category of historical analysis.
  • Comprehend, analyze, and explain the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of secondary source materials.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assessing the Spatial Turn 20% No 23/08/17
Research Paper 30% No 18/10/17
Reflective Paper 30% No 10/11/17
Weekly Quiz 20% No Assessed weekly

Assessing the Spatial Turn

Due: 23/08/17
Weighting: 20%

Students will read and respond to two articles discussing the so-called "Spatial Turn" in historiography, considering the arguments of the authors, and the implications for considering the history of the Mediterranean. Full details, grading criteria, and assessment rubric will be available on iLearn from Monday 31 July 2017.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate and explain the utility of "space" as a category of historical analysis.
  • Comprehend, analyze, and explain the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of secondary source materials.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

Research Paper

Due: 18/10/17
Weighting: 30%

Students will research and write a historiographical paper that explores an aspect of one of the unit's five principal themes -- empires, cities, faith, conflict, coexistence. Full details, grading criteria, and assessment rubric will be available on iLearn from Monday 31 July 2017.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Comprehend, assess, and explain the history of the Mediterranean region in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with specific reference to six broad themes: space, empire, cities, faith, conflict, coexistence.
  • Comprehend, analyze, and explain the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of secondary source materials.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

Reflective Paper

Due: 10/11/17
Weighting: 30%

A comprehensive, reflective examination of the unit materials and themes in the form of a 2,000-word paper. Students will write a paper in response to a single prompt which will available on iLearn, together with guidelines, grading criteria, and rubric from Monday 31 July 2017.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Comprehend, assess, and explain the history of the Mediterranean region in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with specific reference to six broad themes: space, empire, cities, faith, conflict, coexistence.
  • Evaluate and explain the utility of "space" as a category of historical analysis.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

Weekly Quiz

Due: Assessed weekly
Weighting: 20%

Every week in seminars, from Week 2 onward, students will complete a short, three-question quiz: the first question will address the required readings for the week, the second and third will address lectures for the week. The quiz will be held at the start of each seminar. Students who are late or absent will miss the quiz. Quizzes cannot be made up outside of class. Only ten of the eleven quizzes will count toward the final grade, so students can miss one without penalty.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Comprehend, analyze, and explain the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of secondary source materials.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

For seminar times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable.

Required and Recommended Texts

Required Texts

Required readings will be listed week-by-week on the iLearn site.

Per Faculty of Arts policy, all required readings are available on-line only but it is recommended that students print out the required readings and read them in hard copy as pedagogical research suggests that (given current technology) comprehension and recall are superior when reading hard copy text as opposed to reading on-line.

Recommended Texts

The following general, introductory texts are available on Reserve or in electronic format (*) via the MQ Library:

Fernand Braudel The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II

*Daniel Goffman The Ottoman Empire and Early Modern Europe

W.V. Harris (ed) Rethinking the Mediterranean 

*Henri Pirenne Mohammed and Charlemagne 

*Merry Wiesner-Hanks Early Modern Europe

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 word processing and web browsing).

 

Unit Schedule

Space

Week 1: The Mediterranean in Time and Space

Week 2: The Mediterranean in History and Geography

Empires

Week 3: West

Week 4: East

Cities

Week 5: Governors and the Governed

Week 6: Urban Values

Faith

Week 7: Orthodoxies

Week 8: Heterodoxies, Heresies, and Religious Minorities

Conflict

Week 9: Warfare

Week 10: Slaving and Piracy

Coexistence

Week 11: Commerce

Week 12: Shared Space, Shared Culture?

Week 13: Reflection and Reading Week

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

  • Comprehend, assess, and explain the history of the Mediterranean region in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with specific reference to six broad themes: space, empire, cities, faith, conflict, coexistence.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Paper
  • Reflective Paper

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

  • Comprehend, analyze, and explain the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of secondary source materials.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

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

  • Comprehend, analyze, and explain the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of secondary source materials.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

Assessment tasks

  • Assessing the Spatial Turn
  • Research Paper

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

  • Comprehend, assess, and explain the history of the Mediterranean region in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with specific reference to six broad themes: space, empire, cities, faith, conflict, coexistence.
  • Evaluate and explain the utility of "space" as a category of historical analysis.
  • Comprehend, analyze, and explain the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of secondary source materials.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

Assessment tasks

  • Assessing the Spatial Turn
  • Research Paper
  • Reflective Paper
  • Weekly Quiz

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

  • Comprehend, assess, and explain the history of the Mediterranean region in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with specific reference to six broad themes: space, empire, cities, faith, conflict, coexistence.
  • Evaluate and explain the utility of "space" as a category of historical analysis.
  • Comprehend, analyze, and explain the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of secondary source materials.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

Assessment tasks

  • Assessing the Spatial Turn
  • Research Paper
  • Reflective Paper
  • Weekly Quiz

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

  • Comprehend, analyze, and explain the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of secondary source materials.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Paper
  • Reflective 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

  • Comprehend, assess, and explain the history of the Mediterranean region in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with specific reference to six broad themes: space, empire, cities, faith, conflict, coexistence.
  • Evaluate and explain the utility of "space" as a category of historical analysis.
  • Comprehend, analyze, and explain the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of secondary source materials.
  • Produce written work that synthesizes understandings and evaluations in clear, specific arguments.

Assessment tasks

  • Assessing the Spatial Turn
  • Research Paper
  • Reflective Paper
  • Weekly Quiz

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 outcome

  • Comprehend, assess, and explain the history of the Mediterranean region in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with specific reference to six broad themes: space, empire, cities, faith, conflict, coexistence.

Assessment task

  • Reflective 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 outcome

  • Evaluate and explain the utility of "space" as a category of historical analysis.

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 seminar.

Extensions

Students who encounter difficulties in meeting the deadlines for written assessment tasks should apply for an extension via ask.mq.edu in advance of the due date. Students should familiarize themselves with the University's Disruption to Studies policy before submitting such a request. Note that all Disruption to Studies requests must be accompanied by a signed Professional Authority Form.

Late Submissions

Turnitin will close after the deadline for submission of each written assignment. Any student who wishes to submit the assignment late without an extension must submit it directly to Dr. Baker together with a signed Faculty of Arts coversheet and an explanation for the failure to meet the deadline. Late assignments will be penalized -2.5% for every day (whole or part) after the due date. Assignments submitted more than two weeks after the due date will only be graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

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.