Students

AHIS350 – Advanced Reading Unit in Ancient History

2014 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Lea Beness
Contact via lea.beness@mq.edu.au
W6A 523
Thursdays 4-5pm or by appointment
Unit Convenor
Peter Keegan
Contact via peter.keegan@mq.edu.au
W6A 512
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to BAncHist and 39cp
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 at a unit mini-conference and as a written paper (2500-3000 words). In preparation for the larger research project students will submit an annotated bibliography and research plan together with a review of a book relevant to the project. Students must contact one of the unit convenors 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:

  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic;
  • demonstrate skill in evaluating ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level;
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Bibliography and Research Plan 30% 5pm Friday Week 4
Short Book Review 20% 5pm Friday Week 8
Oral Presentation 15% Thursday of Week 13
Written paper 35% 5pm Friday Week 13

Bibliography and Research Plan

Due: 5pm Friday Week 4
Weighting: 30%

Students are to submit an annotated bibliography on their chosen area of research together with a research plan (or no more than 300 words) outlining the proposed research project.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic;
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;

Short Book Review

Due: 5pm Friday Week 8
Weighting: 20%

Students are to submit a short (500–750 words) review of a book or major article (30+ pages) which is central to their chosen field of study.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic;
  • demonstrate skill in evaluating ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level;
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;

Oral Presentation

Due: Thursday of Week 13
Weighting: 15%

Students are to present the results of their research at a mini-conference held between 9am to 5pm on the Thursday of Week 13 (12th June). Attendance at this conference is compulsory.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic;
  • demonstrate skill in evaluating ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level;
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Written paper

Due: 5pm Friday Week 13
Weighting: 35%

Students are to submit an essay on their chosen topic between 2,500-3,000 words in length.

Submission of Assignments

All written assignments should be submitted electronically via the iLearn website.

Grading

The grade a student receives will signify their overall performance in meeting the learning outcomes of the unit. Grades will not be awarded by reference to the achievement of other students nor allocated to fit a predetermined distribution. In determining a grade, due weight will be given to the learning outcomes and level of the unit. Markers in the unit will use the following grades:

 

HD = High Distinction 85–100

D = Distinction 75–84

Cr = Credit 65–74

P = Pass 50–64

F = Fail 0–49

 




On successful completion you will be able to:
  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic;
  • demonstrate skill in evaluating ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level;
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

There are no set classes for this unit except for the mini-conference held in Week 13. Students should consult with their supervisors about their research on a regular basis.

Required Reading and Texts

Students should consult with their supervisors regarding required and recommended reading.

Technology used and Required

PC and internet access are 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.

Satisfactory Completion of Unit

A student is required to undertake all forms of assessment and achieve an overall mark of 50% or above to complete the unit satisfactorily.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

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 improve your marks and take control of your study.

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

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Assessment tasks

  • Bibliography and Research Plan
  • Short Book Review
  • Oral Presentation
  • Written paper

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic;
  • demonstrate skill in evaluating ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level;
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Assessment tasks

  • Oral Presentation
  • Written paper

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic;
  • demonstrate skill in evaluating ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level;
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Assessment tasks

  • Bibliography and Research Plan
  • Short Book Review
  • Oral Presentation
  • Written paper

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic;
  • demonstrate skill in evaluating ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level;
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Assessment tasks

  • Bibliography and Research Plan
  • Short Book Review
  • Oral Presentation
  • Written paper

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • acquire knowledge of historical developments and historiography relevant to chosen topic;
  • demonstrate skill in evaluating ancient source material and modern interpretations of that source material at an advanced level;
  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Assessment tasks

  • Bibliography and Research Plan
  • Short Book Review
  • Oral Presentation
  • Written paper

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Assessment tasks

  • Short Book Review
  • Oral Presentation
  • Written paper

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • develop sophisticated research skills and an ability to manage an extended research and writing project;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Assessment tasks

  • Bibliography and Research Plan
  • Short Book Review
  • Oral Presentation
  • Written paper

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Assessment tasks

  • Oral Presentation
  • Written paper

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • formulate arguments and express ideas at an advanced level;
  • reflect upon the process of research and on scholarly debates.

Assessment tasks

  • Oral Presentation
  • Written paper

Assignment Submission and Extensions

ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION

Assignments must be submitted through the iLearn website.

EXTENSIONS AND LATE WORK

Extensions for assignments can only be granted for medical reasons or on compassionate grounds. Without documentation (medical or counselling certificates) or prior staff approval, a penalty of 2% a day, including weekends, will be applied. If required, applications for extensions should be made before the assignment's due date.

NB You should always keep a copy of completed tasks in case of loss.