Students

MHIS2004 – Capitalism in World History: From the Silk Roads to Amazon

2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convener
Nicholas Baker
nicholas.baker@mq.edu.au
25B Wally's Walk, Room B263
TBD
Co-Convener
Mark Hearn
mark.hearn@mq.edu.au
25B Wally's Walk, Room B268
TBD
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above OR (10cp in HIST or MHIS or POL or POIR or MHIX or POIX units)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Globalization is older than we think. In the European Middle Ages, a network of trade routes connected the Afro-Eurasian landmass, which made possible the extensive travels of Italian merchant like Marco Polo and Moroccan scholar Ibn Battuta. In the sixteenth century, these networks expanded to include the Americas, creating the first global economy. This unit traces the long history of global capitalism from its medieval origins to the data-driven on-line commerce of the twenty-first century. It explores how commerce and exchange have developed over the past millennium, considering the ideas, commodities, and political forces that have facilitated and impeded trade. It examines the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of global capitalism. This unit explains how the world economy we live today took shape and why it operates the way that it does.

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: Comprehend and assess the development of the global economy from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century.
  • ULO2: Synthesise primary and secondary sources to develop clear, specific, evidence-based arguments in response to historical questions.
  • ULO3: Analyze and evaluate the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of different source materials.
  • ULO4: Communicate ideas and historical arguments in an engaging, concise and accessible style.
  • ULO5: Analyse historical evidence, scholarship and changing representations of the past.

General Assessment Information

Late Submission

Per Faculty of Arts policy, unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.

Turnitin will close at the deadline for submission of each written assessment tasks. Late submissions will need to be emailed direct to Assoc.Prof. Baker and accompanied by an explanation for their lateness.

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 Special Consideration policy  (see Policies and Procedures) before submitting such a request.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Review paper 30% No 23:59 30/08/2021
Reflective Paper 50% No 23:59 05/11/2021
Weekly quiz 20% No 23:59 Sunday, weekly

Review paper

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 23:59 30/08/2021
Weighting: 30%

Secondary source review
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Comprehend and assess the development of the global economy from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century.
  • Synthesise primary and secondary sources to develop clear, specific, evidence-based arguments in response to historical questions.
  • Analyze and evaluate the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of different source materials.
  • Communicate ideas and historical arguments in an engaging, concise and accessible style.
  • Analyse historical evidence, scholarship and changing representations of the past.

Reflective Paper

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 23:59 05/11/2021
Weighting: 50%

Reflective Paper
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Comprehend and assess the development of the global economy from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century.
  • Synthesise primary and secondary sources to develop clear, specific, evidence-based arguments in response to historical questions.
  • Analyze and evaluate the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of different source materials.
  • Communicate ideas and historical arguments in an engaging, concise and accessible style.
  • Analyse historical evidence, scholarship and changing representations of the past.

Weekly quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1 hours
Due: 23:59 Sunday, weekly
Weighting: 20%

Short weekly quiz
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Comprehend and assess the development of the global economy from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century.
  • Analyze and evaluate the process of historical argumentation by reading and assessing a variety of different source materials.
  • Analyse historical evidence, scholarship and changing representations of the past.

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

There is no text book for this unit. All essential readings will be provided. Students will need to conduct some of their own research online and/ or in the library to complete assessment tasks. External students will be able to complete all tasks online.

Unit Schedule

Week 1 Thinking Historically About Capitalism

Week 2 Silk: Pre-Capitalism in Ancient and Early Medieval Eurasia

Week 3 Pepper: Proto-Capitalism in Medieval Eurasia

Week 4 Wool: Proto-Capitalism in Renaissance Europe

Week 5 Shares: European Mercantilism in Asia

Week 6 Porcelain: Asian Mercantilism in Europe

Week 7 Cotton: The First Industrial Revolution

Week 8 Tea: The Meiji Restoration and Industrial Capitalism

Week 9 Oil: Multinationals and Managerial Capitalism

Week 10 Television: Consumer Capitalism

Week 11 Data: Digital Capitalism

Week 12 The Future of Capitalism

Week 13 Writing Week

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.

Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook