Students
AHIS3230 – Byzantium in the Age of the Emperors, 306-1453AD
2020 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor, Tutor
Christopher Malone
By Appointment
Kyle Keimer
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above or (20cp in AHIS or AHST units at 2000 level)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit comprises the study of Byzantine history from the foundation of Constantinople in the fourth century AD onwards. It focuses on the role of the emperors as continuators of the Roman imperial tradition, and on the continuity/discontinuity of the classical tradition, as well as on contacts between the Byzantines and the Arabs(East), Medieval Europe (West) and the South Slavs (Balkans). Major themes include: interactions between emperors and their subjects; historiography; legislative developments; art and architecture; philosophy; monasticism; iconoclasm; and the role of women in society.
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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:
- ULO1: Describe and analyse historical information relating to the emperors and their role in the Byzantine world.
- ULO2: Critically engage with primary and secondary texts and images to construct sophisticated arguments about the Age of the Byzantium.
- ULO3: Respond constructively to online discussion on questions about the Byzantium and critically reflect and reply to the views of others
General Assessment Information
All written assessments are required to be submitted through Turnitin.
Essays must be referenced in accordance with the full version of the Referencing Guide available on the unit’s iLearn site, and need to include a bibliography.
Footnotes/endnotes should only include references to texts, books articles, etc. They should not include discussion. Footnotes/endnotes and bibliographies do not count towards the word limit.
Extensions can only be granted if an application is made through the Special Consideration system.
Late Submission Penalty
“Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.”
Length policy: Essays exceeding or falling short of the specified word lengths will attract a penalty: divergences of more than 10% will attract a penalty of 10%.
Assignment tasks handed in early will be marked and returned with other papers (i.e. not before the due date).
For Special Consideration Policy see under Policies and Procedures.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON FINAL MARKS: Please note with respect to the marks you receive for work during the session: that the marks given are indicative only; final marks will be determined after moderation. See further the note on Results in the Policies and Procedures section below.
For full details of the assessments for this unit, please check the iLearn site.
Online Participation
There are two components to this assessment:
Task 1: Source Analysis
Weighting: 10%
Due: 16 August
Students will respond to short-answer questions (max. 500 words) based on analysis of the key source Eusebius’ Life of Constantine, introduced in week 2. Feedback on this task will be provided before the census date.
Task 2: Tutorial Presentation/ Online Discussion
Weighting: 10%
Due: Weeks 3-12
Internal students will give a 10-minute tutorial presentation, due at the relevant tutorial week, and based on the ancient source reading for that tutorial. External students will post a written version of their presentation and lead the discussion board for their week.
Topics will be chosen and allocated in the first week of the session.
Annotated Bibliography
Weighting: 30%
Due: Weeks 4-13
Academic bibliography of at least 5 works of modern scholarship in addition to the primary sources, combined with a 1000 word synthesis of scholarly views on the sources and the chosen topic. Based on the topic of the tutorial presentation/online discussion, and due the Friday of the following week.
Essay
Weighting: 50%
Due: Monday November 9
2500 word research essay, on one topic selected from list of choices (with an expected minimum of 10 scholarly works used in addition to primary sources). Due Monday November 9th.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50% | No | 9/11/2020 |
| Online discussion forum | 20% | No | Week 4; Weeks 3-12 |
| Annotated bibliography | 30% | No | Weeks 4-13 |
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 9/11/2020
Weighting: 50%
Essay
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe and analyse historical information relating to the emperors and their role in the Byzantine world.
- Critically engage with primary and secondary texts and images to construct sophisticated arguments about the Age of the Byzantium.
Online discussion forum
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 4; Weeks 3-12
Weighting: 20%
Discuss and critically evaluate the set readings of primary sources
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe and analyse historical information relating to the emperors and their role in the Byzantine world.
- Critically engage with primary and secondary texts and images to construct sophisticated arguments about the Age of the Byzantium.
- Respond constructively to online discussion on questions about the Byzantium and critically reflect and reply to the views of others
Annotated bibliography
Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Weeks 4-13
Weighting: 30%
Read and critically evaluate secondary scholarship consulted for the essay
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe and analyse historical information relating to the emperors and their role in the Byzantine world.
- Critically engage with primary and secondary texts and images to construct sophisticated arguments about the Age of the Byzantium.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
This unit is currently running entirely online. Lectures are pre-recorded and will be available via Echo 360, together with powerpoints from the lectures.
In order to successfully complete the unit, candidates must attempt all items of assessment and achieve an overall mark of 50% or above. Early feedback will be provided to students through the Source Analysis exercise due in Week 4.
Key readings for the unit (and particularly for weekly tutorials) will be provided through the iLearn site for this unit and through the MQ library website.
Recommended Books:
The following recommended books are available as e-books from the MQ Library. Chapters of these books will be recommended reading for tutorials throughout the unit, so you may wish to purchase them yourself, but this is not required.
Gregory, T., A History of Byzantium (Oxford, 2010)
Cameron, A., The Byzantines (Oxford, 2006)
Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement. Any problems, contact onehelp@mq.edu.au (9850 4357).
Unit Schedule
Please see the unit iLearn site for the full schedule
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.