Students

MHIS3040 – Australia in the 20th Century

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
Mark Hearn
Mark Hearn
Michelle Arrow
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above OR (20cp in HIST or MHIS or POL or POIR or MHIX or POIX units at 2000 level)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Australia in the 20th century presents a political, social, economic and cultural history of Australia across the twentieth century into the present. Building on the introduction to Australian history, the Anzac myth and nineteenth century experience explored in earlier units, Australia in the 20th century outlines the development of post-Federation 'White Australia', through to the impact of migration, multiculturalism and the refugee crisis into the 21st century. We explore the foundations of Australian national identity and analyse the manifest social changes that redefined understandings of gender, sexuality, rights and race. We will feature the central developments of the century, from the divisive impact of the First World War to economic depression, and the promise of reconstruction that grew out of another disastrous world war that also reshaped Australia's relations with the world. We will trace the everyday experiences of Australians through migration, economic change, suburbanisation, protest, and popular culture. Australia in the 20th century will be of particular interest to education students who are intending to teach Australian history in schools and provides a strong platform for 2000/3000 level Australian history units.

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: Analyse different kinds of historical evidence, including visual and textual sources.
  • ULO2: Analyse and apply historical information (especially self-located research materials).
  • ULO3: Communicate effectively in oral forms, and in a range of written forms.
  • ULO4: Engage effectively in group work with your peers.
  • ULO5: Participate actively in group discussions.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment 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.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Presentation 15% No Various dates
Research Essay 40% No midnight Friday 9 October
Best OU blog posts 25% No midnight Monday 9 November
Essay Plan 20% No midnight Friday 21 August

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Various dates
Weighting: 15%

The presentation task is designed to assess oral communication skills and grasp of the issues under discussion. Presentations are in-class for internal students, and online presentations via iLearn for external and OUA students.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse different kinds of historical evidence, including visual and textual sources.
  • Communicate effectively in oral forms, and in a range of written forms.
  • Engage effectively in group work with your peers.
  • Participate actively in group discussions.

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: midnight Friday 9 October
Weighting: 40%

The research essay forms the major assessment task of the course and requires a high degree of thought, effort and preparation. The research essay questions related to each of the weekly course topics. Students are required to analyse and discuss at least eight scholarly books or journal articles relevant to the essay question. Web sites may be cited in addition to the minimum eight scholarly texts.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse different kinds of historical evidence, including visual and textual sources.
  • Analyse and apply historical information (especially self-located research materials).
  • Communicate effectively in oral forms, and in a range of written forms.

Best OU blog posts

Assessment Type 1: Log book
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: midnight Monday 9 November
Weighting: 25%

This assessment task tests the ability of students to produce a brief but clear and logical argument that is supported by evidence. Each week, students draft short blog posts (app.250 words) to help consolidate their knowledge of the course topics via their reading and participation in group discussion. The blogs provide a reflection on what students have learned each week. At the end of the semester, students submit their best four blog posts for assessment.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse different kinds of historical evidence, including visual and textual sources.
  • Analyse and apply historical information (especially self-located research materials).
  • Communicate effectively in oral forms, and in a range of written forms.
  • Participate actively in group discussions.

Essay Plan

Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: midnight Friday 21 August
Weighting: 20%

Students are required to prepare for their major research essay based on an outline of key themes and issues covered in historiography relevant to the essay topic.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse different kinds of historical evidence, including visual and textual sources.
  • Analyse and apply historical information (especially self-located research materials).
  • Communicate effectively in oral forms, and in a range of written forms.

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

All students will participate via online learning exercises.

Writing your history essay The Department of Modern History has an essay writing and referencing guide available on iLearn. Please read it before you embark on your assessment tasks!

Participation Active participation in online seminars is an essential component of the course and three or more absences from the seminars without prior notification and adequate explanation may mean you fail this unit.

Examination(s) There is no examination for MHIS/MHIX3040 but all assignments need to be submitted if you wish to pass the unit.

Assignment submission Please submit all assignments via Turnitin on iLearn. Assignments must include a heading that identifies the question chosen and a bibliography.

Special Consideration Please note that requests for special consideration are not granted automatically, and are reserved for unforeseen and serious circumstances such as prolonged illness, hospitalisation or bereavement in your immediate family.

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:

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.