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

2023 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Matthew Bailey
matthew.bailey@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above OR (10cp in HIST or MHIS or MHIX 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 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 ofโ€š 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. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Weekly quiz 20% No Sunday, Weekly, 11.59pm
Review paper 30% No Sunday, Week 6, 03/09/2023
Reflective Paper 50% No Sunday, Week 13, 05/11/2023

Weekly quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1 hours
Due: Sunday, Weekly, 11.59pm
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.

Review paper

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Sunday, Week 6, 03/09/2023
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: Sunday, Week 13, 05/11/2023
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.

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 readings and unit materials are available through the iLearn website.

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 โ€“ honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage โ€“ 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.

Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook