Students

AHIS3000 – Capstone in Ancient History and Archaeology

2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Peter Keegan
Linda Evans
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to BAncHist or BArch or BArts and 130cp at 1000 level or above or (40cp from AHIS2130 or AHIS2210 or AHIS2211 or AHIS2225 or AHIS2250 or AHIS2251 or AHIS2301 or AHIS2302)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Students will undertake extended research on a topic arising from an AHIS unit which they have previously completed, and produce a research project which will be presented orally and as a written paper. In preparation for the larger research project students will submit an annotated bibliography and research plan together with a review of the project. Students must contact the unit convenor by the first week of the session to obtain approval for their topic.

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: acquire knowledge of historical and archaeological developments relevant to chosen topic
  • ULO2: evaluate ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level
  • ULO3: formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level
  • ULO4: manage an extended research and writing project
  • ULO5: reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

 

Annotated Bibliography

Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography

Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours

Due: 23:55, 20-04-23

Weighting: 30%

You will create an annotated bibliography of modern works on the subject of your research together with a plan outlining your proposed project. A marking rubric, task outline, and word limit will be provided on the unit homepage. Submission: Turnitin Assignment.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic
  • evaluate ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level
  • manage an extended research and writing project
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates

Podcast

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation

Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours

Due: 23:55, 8-10-23

Weighting: 30%

This task asks you to create an oral presentation on your research topic & question, context, design & method, and preliminary results. A marking rubric, task outline, and time/word limit will be provided on the unit homepage. Submission: Adobe Creative Cloud (Podcast Recording) & Turnitin Assignment (Verbatim Script). (You will receive instruction in creating your vodcast during Week 1 of the teaching session.)

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • evaluate ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level
  • manage an extended research and writing project
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates

Research paper

Assessment Type 1: Essay

Indicative Time on Task 2: 56 hours

Due: 23:55, 5-11-23

Weighting: 40%

You will present disciplinary knowledge in support of a thesis or proposition relating to your chosen research focus using structured written communication. A marking rubric, task outline, and word limit will be provided on the unit homepage. Submission: Turnitin Assignment.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic
  • evaluate ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level
  • manage an extended research and writing project
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates

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

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research paper 40% No 23:55, 20-04-23
Podcast 30% No 23:55, 8-10-23 NB Adobe instruction provided from Week 1.
Research Plan 30% No 23:55, 5-11-23

Research paper

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 56 hours
Due: 23:55, 20-04-23
Weighting: 40%

 

You will present disciplinary knowledge in support of a thesis or proposition relating to your chosen research focus using structured written communication. A marking rubric, task outline, and word limit will be provided on the unit homepage. Submission: Turnitin Assignment.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • acquire knowledge of historical and archaeological developments relevant to chosen topic
  • evaluate ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level
  • manage an extended research and writing project
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates

Podcast

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 23:55, 8-10-23 NB Adobe instruction provided from Week 1.
Weighting: 30%

 

This task asks you to create an oral presentation on the results of your research. A marking rubric, task outline, and time/word limit will be provided on the unit homepage. Submission: Adobe Creative Cloud. (You will receive instruction in creating your podcast during Week 11 of the teaching session.)

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • evaluate ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level
  • manage an extended research and writing project
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates

Research Plan

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 23:55, 5-11-23
Weighting: 30%

 

You will create a plan outlining your proposed project together with an annotated bibliography of modern works on the subject of your research. A marking rubric, task outline, and word limit will be provided on the unit homepage. Submission: Turnitin Assignment.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • acquire knowledge of historical and archaeological developments relevant to chosen topic
  • evaluate ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level
  • manage an extended research and writing project
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates

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

FINDING A SUPERVISOR

You will undertake research on a topic arising from an Ancient History or Archaeology unit which you have previously undertaken. A member of academic staff from the department of History and Archaeology will be allocated to provide you with guidance and support. Unless otherwise negotiated, you will meet with your allocated supervisor in Weeks 4 and 8. It is your responsibility to contact your supervisor and arrange meeting days/times.

Your supervisor will be allocated on the basis of your research proposal (submitted during Week 1). If you wish to secure the supervision of a particular member of staff before the teaching session begins, then you are strongly advised to make contact with the relevant member of staff as soon as the unit guide is published (11 July 2023) and to set up a meeting as soon as possible to gain a staff member's approval to act in a supervisory capacity and to discuss a potential topic. NB Names of staff who are unavailable to act as supervisors will be provided on the AHIS/AHIX3000 iLearn site. The unit homepage will go live on 17 July 2023.

The general rule is that staff members should not supervise more than four AHIS/AHIX3000 students at a time. You must submit your research proposal (topic and abstract) and the names of any preferred (or pre-arranged) supervisor(s) by the end of Week 1 (30 July 2023). Detailed instructions will be provided on the unit homepage.

CLASSES

There will be FOUR cohort meetings in this unit: Week 1, Week 3, Week 8, and Week 12. These meetings will be delivered in 4 Western Road, Room 320. NB External/OUA students can EITHER attend at the scheduled time OR audit the recording of the livestreamed meeting on ECHO360.

  1. 2:00-4:00pm, Monday 24 July 2023. This meeting will consider how the Capstone will help you to consolidate your learning from previous units of study in Ancient History and Archaeology, rather than learning new content; reflect on the knowledge, skills and capabilities you have acquired and how to demonstrate these in your transition from final year to workplace or further study; stimulate thinking about realistic and feasible topics for your Research Paper; and explain how you will develop and capture both your learning process during the unit (campus and online discussion) and your final learning products (bibliography and research plan; podcast presentation; research paper)
  2. 2:00-4:00pm, Monday 7 August 2023. This meeting will consider how your Weeks 1-3 Capstone activities have helped you to consolidate your learning from previous units of study in Ancient History and Archaeology; reflect on the knowledge, skills and capabilities you have acquired in your degree and how you will demonstrate these in your Week 4 Assessment 1; prepare for your first meeting with your Research Supervisor; and review how you have developed and captured your learning process in the online Research Forum and your future learning products (podcast presentation; research paper).
  3. 2:00-4:00pm, Monday 25 September 2023. This meeting will consider how your Weeks 4-7 Capstone activities have helped you to consolidate your learning from previous units of study in Ancient History and Archaeology; reflect on the knowledge, skills and capabilities you have acquired in your degree and how you will demonstrate these in your Week 9 Assessment 2; prepare for your second meeting with your Research Supervisor; and review how you have developed and captured your learning process in the online Research Forum and your future learning products (vodcast presentation; research paper).
  4. 2:00-4:00pm, Monday 23 October 2023. This meeting will consider how your Weeks 8-11 Capstone activities have helped you to consolidate your learning from previous units of study in Ancient History and Archaeology; reflect on the knowledge, skills and capabilities you have acquired in your degree and how you will demonstrate these in your Week 13 Assessment 3; and review how you have developed and captured your learning process in the online Research Forum and your future learning products (research paper).

ADDITIONAL NOTE ABOUT SUPERVISION

You should consult with your supervisor about your research if you have any questions about your research topic that you cannot resolve using your own knowledge or skills. It is also essential for you to have met at least twice with your supervisor and obtain feedback on your developing research project by the end of Week 8.

REQUIRED READING AND TEXTS

You should consult with your supervisor regarding required and recommended reading.

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

The unit has an iLearn page which can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. PC and internet access are therefore required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement. Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific, requirements.

EXAMINATIONS

Please note that there are no formal examinations in this unit.

Unit Schedule

Week 1: The 13 Steps & Choosing a Research Topic/Supervisor | Cohort Meeting #1

Week 2: Literature Review

Week 3: Research Plan | Cohort Meeting #2

Week 4: Annotated Bibliography and Research Plan | Supervisor Meeting #1 | Assessment #1 

Week 5: Information Search

Week 6: Outline Ideas and Reading

Week 7: Outline Ideas and Reading

Week 8: Introductory Notes and Podcast Preparation | Cohort Meeting # 3 | Supervisor Meeting #2 

Week 9: Podcast | Assessment #2 

Week 10: First Draft

Week 11: Second Draft

Week 12: Final Draft | Cohort Meeting #4

Week 13: Research Paper | Assessment #3

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

1. Reduction of assessment items and adjustment of assessment weighting.

2. Inclusion of co-convenor.

3. Rescheduling of cohort meetings.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
23/07/2023 Revised assessment dates: 1. 20-04-23. 2. 8-10-23. 3. 5-11-23
22/07/2023 Incorrect date of Research Plan task adjusted: from 11-08 to 20-08-23.

Unit information based on version 2023.03 of the Handbook