Students

AHIX2130 – Byzantium in the Age of the Emperors

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 Course coordinator
Danijel Dzino
Course coordinator
Peter Edwell
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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.

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: illustrate a broad knowledge of historical developments, research principles and specific methods relevant to the study of Byzantine History.
  • ULO2: Conceptualise, apply, and analyse primary and secondary texts and images to develop coherent arguments about the age of Byzantium.
  • ULO3: Present clear and evidence based exposition of knowledge and ideas in response to on-line or on campus discussion of historical questions relevant to the study of Byzantium.

General Assessment Information

Late Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a penalty for lateness will apply – ten (10) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Grading decisions for each assessment task will be moderated against the set criteria and standards before task results are released.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Annotated Bibliography 20% No 17:00 Friday Weeks 4-13
Presentation 20% No 17:00 Friday Weeks 3-12
Quiz 20% No 23:59 12/09/21 and 23:59 07/11/21
Essay 40% No 9/11/21 17:00

Annotated Bibliography

Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: 17:00 Friday Weeks 4-13
Weighting: 20%

 

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 essay.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • illustrate a broad knowledge of historical developments, research principles and specific methods relevant to the study of Byzantine History.
  • Conceptualise, apply, and analyse primary and secondary texts and images to develop coherent arguments about the age of Byzantium.
  • Present clear and evidence based exposition of knowledge and ideas in response to on-line or on campus discussion of historical questions relevant to the study of Byzantium.

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: 17:00 Friday Weeks 3-12
Weighting: 20%

 

The students will record a 10-minute tutorial presentation, due at the relevant tutorial week, and based on the reading for that week. The recording will be posted on iLearn.

Topics will be chosen and allocated in the first week of the session.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • illustrate a broad knowledge of historical developments, research principles and specific methods relevant to the study of Byzantine History.
  • Conceptualise, apply, and analyse primary and secondary texts and images to develop coherent arguments about the age of Byzantium.
  • Present clear and evidence based exposition of knowledge and ideas in response to on-line or on campus discussion of historical questions relevant to the study of Byzantium.

Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: 23:59 12/09/21 and 23:59 07/11/21
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will do two online quizzes related to teaching content.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Conceptualise, apply, and analyse primary and secondary texts and images to develop coherent arguments about the age of Byzantium.
  • Present clear and evidence based exposition of knowledge and ideas in response to on-line or on campus discussion of historical questions relevant to the study of Byzantium.

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours
Due: 9/11/21 17:00
Weighting: 40%

 

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).

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • illustrate a broad knowledge of historical developments, research principles and specific methods relevant to the study of Byzantine History.
  • Conceptualise, apply, and analyse primary and secondary texts and images to develop coherent arguments about the age of Byzantium.
  • Present clear and evidence based exposition of knowledge and ideas in response to on-line or on campus discussion of historical questions relevant to the study of 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

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. 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. 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

Week 1

Introductory lecture

Introductory tutorial

Week 2

From Constantine to Justinian

Tutorial Topic: Ecclesiastical History – Eusebius of Caesarea

Week 3

The City of Constantinople / The Role of the Emperor and Empress

Tutorial Topic: Imperial Invective – Procopius, The Secret History

Week 4

Early Ecclesiastical Disputes in Byzantium / Byzantium, Sasanian Persia and Arabia before Islam

Tutorial Topic: Secular History – Procopius’ Wars

Week 5

Justinian to Heraclius / Constantinople as a Centre of Trade

Tutorial Topic: Chronicles – Theophanes Confessor on Heraclius

Week 6

The Rise of Early Islam / Urban Decline and Elite Transformation in the Seventh Century 

Tutorial Topic: Pilgrimage Accounts – the Piacenza Pilgrim

Week 7

The Western Dominions I. Survival (568-812)

Tutorial Topic: Military Treatises – the Strategikon of Maurice

Semester Break

Week 8

Byzantine Iconoclasm

Tutorial Topic: Hagiography – Life of Matrona

Week 9

Western Dominions II. The Force Awakens (812-1025) 

Tutorial Topic: Diplomatic Treatises – De Administrando Imperio

Week 10

Gender and Sexuality in Byzantium / The Abassid Caliphate, the Macedonian Dynasty and Byzantine Literary Culture 

Tutorial Topic: Diplomacy and Ceremony – Liudprand of Cremona

Week 11

Byzantine Art and Archaeology/ The Bogomils and other heresies

Tutorial Topic: Material Culture

Week 12

Byzantium and the Crusades / The Sack of 1204, the Latin Empire, and the Byzantine Successor States

Tutorial Topic: Crusade Accounts – Niketas Choniates

Week 13

The Final Centuries and the Fall of Constantinople in 1453

No Tutorials

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 2021.02 of the Handbook