Students
FOAR8001 – Research in History and Archaeology
2025 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Leigh Boucher
Kirstin Mills
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
"Admission to Graduate Diploma of Research OR Bachelor of Philosophy."
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will introduce students to research in the cognate disciplines of Ancient History, Modern History and Archaeology, exploring what characterises research in these disciplines. Students will encounter and learn to critically evaluate the key concepts, questions and issues that have shaped and/or are currently shaping research in these disciplines. This unit will equip students to analyse the disciplines’ key literature and identify the important theoretical approaches, methods, arguments and ethical considerations that characterise research within this area. This unit will prepare students to position their own developing research ideas within a disciplinary context as they prepare for future independent research projects. |
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: Evaluate and analyse relevant approaches to research in your discipline, including relevant discipline specific theories, concepts, methods and arguments.
- ULO2: Critically evaluate an advanced body of knowledge in your discipline.
- ULO3: Analyse and evaluate arguments, texts and/or data, considering the ethics and integrity frameworks required to conduct responsible, ethical and reflective research in your discipline.
- ULO4: Communicate relevant research concepts and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriate discipline-specific language.
General Assessment Information
Late 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 to late submissions, up until the 7th calendar 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.
Important to note:
- Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.
- Students should not request an informal arrangement from their tutor, lecturer or Unit Convenor (or equivalent).
- Where an application for Special Consideration is approved and the outcome is an extension to the due date of a task, submissions that are received after the new due date will be subject to late penalties that are calculated from the new due date. This only applies where the outcome is an extension to the due date – see the Special ConsiderationPolicy for a schedule of all possible outcomes.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historiograhic Essay | 50% | No | 11.55pm, Friday, Week 13 |
| Short Essay | 25% | No | Monday after selected class presentation |
| Reflective Diary | 25% | No | 11.55pm, Monday, Week 7 |
Historiograhic Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 11.55pm, Friday, Week 13
Weighting: 50%
Write a 3000 word essay in which you address a historiographical question that you have formulated, a question that relates to any of the ideas or issues covered in the unit. You will be required to offer an interpretation of how or why historical writing on a topic or theme has been transformed. This task will involve deep engagement with scholarship relating to your thesis topic. A useful, though not mandatory approach, would be to critically examine and historiographically situate 4-6 key writers in your field You will be required to seek approval and feedback on your question by week 9.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate and analyse relevant approaches to research in your discipline, including relevant discipline specific theories, concepts, methods and arguments.
- Critically evaluate an advanced body of knowledge in your discipline.
- Analyse and evaluate arguments, texts and/or data, considering the ethics and integrity frameworks required to conduct responsible, ethical and reflective research in your discipline.
- Communicate relevant research concepts and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriate discipline-specific language.
Short Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Monday after selected class presentation
Weighting: 25%
You will select one piece of original published historical research (book chapter or article) relating to one of the weekly topics, lead a close reading of one section from the reading of this in class, and submit a reflection about this research and its relationship to the weekly thematic topic afterward. The weekly topics will be selected/allocated in week 2.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate and analyse relevant approaches to research in your discipline, including relevant discipline specific theories, concepts, methods and arguments.
- Analyse and evaluate arguments, texts and/or data, considering the ethics and integrity frameworks required to conduct responsible, ethical and reflective research in your discipline.
- Communicate relevant research concepts and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriate discipline-specific language.
Reflective Diary
Assessment Type 1: Log book
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 11.55pm, Monday, Week 7
Weighting: 25%
Between weeks 1-5 you are expected to write a reflection each week after the discussion has concluded of between 200-400 words, you should attempt to synthesise the key points from the weekly discussion and offer a reflection on how these have challenged, transformed or perhaps reinforced some of your ideas about historical research.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate and analyse relevant approaches to research in your discipline, including relevant discipline specific theories, concepts, methods and arguments.
- Analyse and evaluate arguments, texts and/or data, considering the ethics and integrity frameworks required to conduct responsible, ethical and reflective research in your discipline.
- Communicate relevant research concepts and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriate discipline-specific language.
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
Weekly schedule and assessment tasks etc available via ilearn.
Weekly Seminar (online and in person): Monday 9-11
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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 connect.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/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, 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 2025.02 of the Handbook