Students
MHIS2202 – Merchants, Markets, and Globalisation
2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Matthew Bailey
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Globalisation 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 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: Analyse a variety of historical sources, including visual materials, to comprehend and assess the development of the global economy from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century.
- ULO2: Engage with major historiographical debates in the field in order to develop clear, specific, evidence-based arguments in response to historical questions.
- ULO3: Design and deliver an independent project using appropriate historical methods, communicating ideas and historical arguments in an engaging, concise and accessible style.
- ULO4: Collaborate in group discussions to develop persuasive historical reasoning and deepen understanding of contested historical narratives.
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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review | 30% | No | 29/03/2026 | Individual | No | Open |
| Digital Presentation | 20% | No | 03/05/2026 | Individual | No | Open |
| Creative response | 50% | No | 07/06/2026 | Individual | No | Open |
Review
Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 29/03/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open
Students will provide an analysis of a commodity examined in the unit, and explain its production, use and meaning within its historical context.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse a variety of historical sources, including visual materials, to comprehend and assess the development of the global economy from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century.
- Engage with major historiographical debates in the field in order to develop clear, specific, evidence-based arguments in response to historical questions.
Digital Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 03/05/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open
Students will outline key features of commodity history and explain its utility as an approach to studying past societies and cultures. They will work in groups in class to brainstorm ideas before submitting an individual piece of work. This will be presented in a pre-recorded digital format.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Engage with major historiographical debates in the field in order to develop clear, specific, evidence-based arguments in response to historical questions.
- Collaborate in group discussions to develop persuasive historical reasoning and deepen understanding of contested historical narratives.
Creative response
Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 07/06/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open
Students will develop a research project related to the course, including primary and secondary sources. They will present their findings through a podcast or video.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse a variety of historical sources, including visual materials, to comprehend and assess the development of the global economy from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century.
- Engage with major historiographical debates in the field in order to develop clear, specific, evidence-based arguments in response to historical questions.
- Design and deliver an independent project using appropriate historical methods, communicating ideas and historical arguments in an engaging, concise and accessible style.
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
- Academic Success 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.
3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.
Delivery and Resources
All essential materials required for this unit are available online, either through the unit iLearn site or the MQ library.
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 2026.05 of the Handbook