Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Lorna Barrow
Contact via Email
Online Monday Friday 9am - 5pm
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Macquarie is the international home of big history, and this is its flagship unit. While most history units look in detail at a particular country, theme or period, this unit surveys history on the biggest possible scale. It begins with the origins of the Universe and goes on to tell a series of linked stories about the origins of the stars and planets; the earth and its inhabitants; human beings; various types of human societies; and global interactions to the present day. Students in the unit explore the changing interactions between people, and people and the environment. In so doing, they are encouraged to think about the kinds of evidence available to historians and the role that history can play in understanding the local and global communities that people belong to today. In the final week we will ask what this large story may have to tell us about the future. Finally, the unit invites students to think about what they regard as the central themes of world histories and big history. No prior knowledge of science or history is required
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Essay 1 | 20% | No | 11:55pm Wednesday Week 3 |
Essay 2 | 30% | No | 11:55pm Wednesday Week 5 |
Synoptic essay | 40% | No | 11:55pm Thursday 25 January |
Online participation | 10% | No | Weekly |
Due: 11:55pm Wednesday Week 3
Weighting: 20%
In this assessment you are required to write an analytical and argumentative paper of 1200 words on one (1) of seven possible topics. You will need to base your paper on specific evidence drawn from lectures, tutorial discussions, and the readings. You should undertake some additional reading and research beyond the required reading for the Tutorial Topic that relates to the question – the Suggested Additional Readings listed for each Tutorial Topic are a good place to start but these are not exhaustive.
Your essay must be fully referenced, including footnotes and a bibliography – see the referencing guidelines on the unit website for instructions. The footnotes and bibliography are not included in the word count.
Due: 11:55pm Wednesday Week 5
Weighting: 30%
In this assessment you are required to write an analytical and argumentative paper of 1700 words on one (1) of eleven possible topics. You will need to base your paper on specific evidence drawn from lectures, tutorial discussions, and the readings. You should undertake some additional reading and research beyond the required reading for the Tutorial Topic that relates to the question – the Suggested Additional Readings listed for each Tutorial Topic are a good place to start but these are not exhaustive.
Your essay must be fully referenced, including footnotes and a bibliography – see the referencing guidelines on the unit website for instructions. The footnotes and bibliography are not included in the word count.
Due: 11:55pm Thursday 25 January
Weighting: 40%
The final, synoptic essay 2000 words, takes the place of an exam, so it will not be returned with comments. The synoptic essay requires you to attempt an overview of the entire course, because what makes big history distinctive is not the details, but rather the way it can help you see interconnections between many different areas of knowledge. So the synoptic essay will encourage you to develop your ability to see connections between different areas of the course. Everyone will be asked to answer the same question:“What, in your view, was the most important single theme of MHIX115 : An Introduction to Big History? Give examples from different parts of the course to support your view.” As you work on the synoptic essay, make sure you touch on several different parts of the course, and also that you are aware of the rubrics that we will use as we mark the essay.
Your essay must be fully referenced, including footnotes and a bibliography – see the referencing guidelines on the unit website for instructions. The footnotes and bibliography are not included in the word count.
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%
The online discussion task, undertaken through the iLearn site, tests your ability to communicate ideas, your appreciation and comprehension of the themes and concepts discussed in the course, your ability to critically assess and evaluate the arguments of others, and your ability to clearly articulate your thoughts. It is also a task that monitors your progress across the unit topics. You are expected to do the weekly readings, participate in weekly discussions and make postings within the time frame of each discussion topic. These begin on Monday of the discussion week and run through to the following Sunday. You should look to answer at least two of the set questions in each section of each week, as well as engaging with the posts of other students. Each individual post should be kept to a maximum of 100 words. A professional and courteous approach towards staff and fellow students is expected at all times.
Students will require the textbook: David Christian, Cynthia Stokes Brown and Craig Benjamin, Big History: Between Nothing and Everything, New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2014.
All other essential readings are provided online. Students may be required to do further research for their essays.
Week 1A |
INTRODUCTION TO BIG HISTORY
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Week 1B |
THE UNIVERSE AND THE STARS
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Week 1C |
THE EARTH AND ITS HISTORY
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Week 2A |
LIFE AND EVOLUTION
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Week 2B |
EVOLUTION OF HUMANS
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Week 3A |
WHAT MADE HUMANS DIFFERENT?
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Week 3B |
AGRICULTURE AND ITS IMPACT
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Week 4A |
CITIES, STATES AND EMPIRES
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Week 4B |
EVOLUTION OF AGRARIAN CIVILIZATIONS
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Week 5A |
GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL EXCHANGES
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Week 5B |
BREAK-THROUGH TO MODERNITY
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Week 6A |
THE ANTHROPOCENE
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Week 6B |
WHERE IS IS ALL GOING? |
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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
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.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
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Date | Description |
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27/11/2017 | Learning and Teaching issued a new directive this morning retracting that we needed an extra segment in re late submissions: I have just removed that section. Thank you. |
25/11/2017 | Ilearn requested an updated note to all units re late assessments. This has now been done. |