Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
David Baker
Contact via Email
AHH
Convenor
Lorna Barrow
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
While most history units look in detail at a particular country, theme or period, this unit surveys history on the biggest possible scale. It begins with the origins of the Universe and goes on to tell a series of linked stories about the origins of the stars and planets; the earth and its inhabitants; human beings; various types of human societies; and global interactions to the present day. Students in the unit explore the changing interactions between people, and between people and the environment. In so doing, they are encouraged to think about the kinds of evidence available to historians and the role that history can play in understanding the local and global communities that people belong to today. Finally, the unit invites students to think about what they regard as the central themes of world histories and big history. No prior knowledge of science or history is required.
All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Late Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Essay Outline | 20% | No | Week 3 |
Research Plan | 20% | No | Week 4 |
Synoptic Essay (2000 words) | 35% | No | Week 6 |
Online Performance | 25% | No | Weekly |
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 20%
Craft a concrete outline for the final Big History essay based on the essay exercises conducted in the course. Essay question is: What in your view is the most important theme or pattern in 13.8 billion years of history? Essay outline should include a clear thesis statement that directly answers the essay question, a list of principle topics/arguments, and notes about the types of supporting evidence that will be used in each paragraph.
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 20%
Provide an annotated bibliography where you list the sources you are going to use for the final essay and explain why they are useful (each essay should have a minimum of 10 sources). Building on your essay outline, provide a refined thesis statement, and refined set of arguments supporting it with a topic sentence for each.
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 35%
A Big History essay on a topic that you deem the most important theme or pattern of 13.8 billion years of history. The chosen theme can be one that is indicated in the course or one of original design. Assessment should utilise the essay writing skills provided in the course.
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 25%
Online performance will consist of three regular activities:
The content of MHIS115/MHIX115 is available online and can be accessed through the iLearn site: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au.
This unit is a 'flipped' class. Students will watch the video lectures on iLearn and do the assigned textbook readings. Each week, online students will answer a short quiz on the content, and do an online posting that builds essay skills and explores deeper content questions.
Required text: David Baker, The Hitchhiker's Guide to Big History, Seattle: Diabolical Press, 2019. A short, sweet (and sometimes humorous) summary of Big History, containing all the pertinent information you need to pass the course. Designed to work with the videos posted on iLearn, which supplement the more in-depth detail of the book. Link to the ebook: https://www.amazon.com.au/Hitchhikers-Guide-Big-History-ebook/dp/B081XJZWDQ Link to the hard copy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1711025623
This can also be purchased via links provided on http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Optional texts:
W | Topic | Themes | Assessment |
1 | The Big Bang and the Cosmos | Introduction to Big History, the origins of the Universe, stars, and galaxies | |
2 | Planets and Life | The origins of the solar system, Earth, and life | |
3 | Evolution and Humanity | The natural history of life on Earth and the evolution of humanity | Essay Outline due Friday at midnight |
Mid-semester break (TWO WEEKS) |
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4 | The Agrarian Era | The rise of agriculture and the era of agrarian states | Research Plan due Friday at midnight |
5 | Breakthrough to Modernity | The evolution of agrarian states to the onset of the Industrial Revolution | |
6 | The Anthropocene and Future | Modernity through the lens of Big History and what the trends of 13.8 billion years tell us about the near and deep future | Synoptic Essay due Friday at midnight. |
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.
You need to show that the circumstances:
If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:
Outcome
Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.
You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.
If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.
If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
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
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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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.
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In 2015, assessment tasks were overhauled, introducing short essays.
In 2016, short essay topics were revised and tutorials were aligned more closely with them. The peer assessment activity was introduced, and one short essay removed.
In 2017, assessment and weekly tutorial activities have been reviewed and modified in light of student feedback.
In 2018, the class was 'flipped', with lecture and tutorial replaced by seminars featuring a Team-Based Learning pedagogy.
In 2019, the assessment structure has been revised according to suggestions from Learning and Teaching.
Synoptic Essay (2,000 words; due by midnight on Friday of Week 6):
Everyone will be asked to answer the same question: 'What in your view is the most important theme or pattern in 13.8 billion years of history? Give examples from different parts of the Big History story to support your view.'
As you work on the synoptic essay, make sure you are familiar with the rubrics that we will use as we mark the essay. Also ensure that you touch on several different parts of the story. By 'parts of the story', we mean the thresholds you have studied. In particular, the best answers consider themes that incorporate (1) the universe before life, (2) the Earth after the emergence of life, but before humans, and (3) the human world.
Date | Description |
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26/11/2019 | Addition of Lorna Barrow to course staff, amendments to delivery and resources |