Skip to main content
Unit outline_

ECOP6115: History of Australian Capitalism

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit focuses on the rich political-economic historiography of Australian capitalism. You will explore a range of themes in this historiography which include: British colonisation and First Nation’s dispossession; the long economic booms and depressions since the 18th century; the progressive and evolving integration of Australia with the global economy through trade, capital flows and migration; the making and remaking of class relations, and social protest; the evolving embeddedness of the Australian economy in the natural environment (including the growing reliance on extractive sectors like mining); and, the financialisation of the everyday life of Australians.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Political Economy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael Beggs, michael.beggs@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Michael Beggs, michael.beggs@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Topic presentation
In-class presentation comparing different perspectives on a chosen topic
25% - 1500wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO3 LO2
Participation Seminar Participation
Participation in class discussions over the semester
10% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Essay
Scholarly essay on a chosen topic
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 14 Nov 2022 at 23:59
3000wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Assignment Graph/Table Essay
Produce a data visualisation (e.g. graph or map) or table and comment on it
25% Mid-semester break
Due date: 30 Sep 2022 at 23:59
1500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO5 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Presentation: This is an in-class oral presentation of 10-15 minutes, with written notes or draft to be submitted. Select any topic relating to the history of capitalism in Australia. (The lecturer will provide a list of suggestions. You are free to choose something not on the list, but please consult the lecturer for advice.) Find at least two perspectives on this issue published in articles or books and compare their views.
  • Graph/table essay: Find a dataset quantifying some issue relating to the history of capitalism in Australia. Present the data in a graph, map or table in a way that clearly illustrates something of interest. Write a written commentary on the data that refers to your illustration.
  • Essay: Choose a question from the list provided on Canvas. Write an essay answering the question with reference to scholarly sources.
  • Seminar participation: Take part in class discussions throughout semester. Show that you are engaging critically with the readings, and respond collegially and productively to fellow students. Quality is more important than quantity.

Assessment criteria

 

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 02 Approaching the history of capitalism in Australia Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 03 The takeover: how capitalism arrived on Indigenous land Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 04 The penal colony Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 05 Convicts and squatters Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 06 Diggers and merchants Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 07 Crisis and Federation Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 08 Rise of the labour movement Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 10 Industry and Depression Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 11 The postwar long boom Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 12 Crisis and restructuring Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 13 Lessons of history? Seminar (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Classes for this unit are seminars involving full-class discussion, with some assessment based on participation. Please try not to miss more than two seminars. If you are going to have to miss more for any reason, please discuss it with the lecturer.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See the reading guide on Canvas for required readings each week. Please do this reading before class each week so you can fully participate in seminar discussion.

Required readings include this textbook, which we will read from cover to cover over the semester:

Ian W. McLean (2013) Why Australia Prospered: The Shifting Sources of Economic Growth. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

This textbook is available for purchase at Booktopia and elsewhere.

https://www.booktopia.com.au/why-australia-prospered-ian-w-mclean/book/9780691171333.html

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. have broad knowledge about the economic and social history of Australia
  • LO2. critically analyse and competently discuss important themes in the historiography of Australian capitalism
  • LO3. critically analyse the relationship between social science and historiography
  • LO4. develop written arguments involving social theory and historical evidence
  • LO5. communicate quantitative social history data effectively
  • LO6. use information technology and library resources to conduct historical research

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.