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Unit outline_

HSTY3808: Political and Economic History

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The study of political culture, practice and ideas offers a valuable point of entry into national and international histories. This advanced seminar will examine political and economic history as an extension of wider social, intellectual and cultural trends, exploring class and capitalism or strategies of power and resistance in democracies, dictatorships and one-party states.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit History
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in History
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Brophy, david.brophy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final Essay
Independent research essay
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 09 Jun 2023 at 23:59
4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Participation Participation
Preparation for and participation in seminar discussions.
10% Ongoing Continuous
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Essay
Essay on prescribed topic (to be provided)
30% Week 08
Due date: 17 Apr 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Participation: Prepare for, and participate in, weekly seminar discussions.
  • Essay: Write a 200 word essay presenting original research on a prescribed topic.
  • Final Essay: Write a 4000 word essay presenting original research on an independently formulated topic.

Successful completion of all assessment tasks is required to pass this unit of study. Please refer to the Canvas site for detailed information.

Assessment criteria

Result Name Mark Range Description
Fail Below 50 Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons: lack of sufficient research using appropriate sources; irrelevance of content; failure to answer the specific question or treat the specified theme; irrelevance of content; wholesale lack of analysis or interpretation; unacceptable levels of paraphrasing; significant deficiencies in presentation, grammar or structure; incomprehensible expression; very late submission without an extension.
Low Pass 50-54 Written work contains evidence of minimal reading and some understanding of subject matter. It typically features summary and paraphrase of relevant material with little interpretation or analysis.  It reflects a reasonable attempt to organise material logically and comprehensibly and to provide scholarly documentation. There may be gaps in any or all of these areas
Medium Pass 55-59 Written work meets basic requirements in terms of reading and research.  It demonstrates a reasonable understanding of subject matter, offers a synthesis of relevant material and shows a genuine effort to avoid paraphrasing, to offer interpretation and to provide acceptable documentation. It has a comprehensible structure organised around an identifiable theme.  There may be weaknesses in particular areas.
High Pass 60-64 Written work contains evidence of a broad and reasonably accurate command of the subject matter and some sense of its broader significance.  It identifies the principal issues and some key scholarly approaches to them, and shows some awareness of the nature and pitfalls of historical evidence.  It goes beyond synthesis to propose an argument, although there may be weaknesses of clarity, structure or use of evidence in the case as presented. Properly documented, it shows signs of one or more of the following: attention to expression and fluency; independent thought; and critical response to secondary sources.
Low Credit 65-69 Written work contains evidence of broad reading, offers synthesis and some critical evaluation of secondary material, argues a position in relation to one or more existing scholarly approaches and/or shows some sophistication in its use of primary material. The introduction clearly states the approach being taken and/or the position being argued. The essay is characterised by good selection of evidence, logical argument and grasp of relevant historiography. It shows some evidence of independent thought and an extra spark of insight.
High Credit 70-74 Written work provides evidence of extensive reading and initiative in research, sound grasp of subject matter and appreciation of key issues and context.  It engages critically with the question and attempts an analytical evaluation of primary and/or secondary material as required for the task assigned. It makes a good attempt to critique various scholarly approaches and offers thoughtful comment on the issues in an existing historical debate. It shows some evidence of ability to think theoretically as well as empirically and to conceptualise and problematise issues in historical terms. Work awarded a high credit is generally well written and always well documented; it often contains evidence of original interpretation or creative thought.
Distinction 75-84 Written work reflects successful initiative in research and reading as well as complex understanding and original analysis of subject matter, with attentiveness to both the historical and the scholarly context. It engages perceptively with the underlying assumptions of primary-source texts and takes a critical, interrogative stance in relation to historical argument and interpretation. It has near-flawless documentation, and, especially at the higher levels, the writing is characterised by style, clarity and some creativity.
High Distinction 85-90 Written work demonstrates initiative and ingenuity in research, pointed and critical analysis of material, and innovative interpretation of evidence. It offers an insightful contribution to historical debate, engages with values, assumptions and contested meanings contained within primary-source evidence, and develops sophisticated, theoretically inflected arguments on the strength of detailed historical research and interpretation. It shows a high degree of professionalism in presentation, and the writing is characterised by creativity, style and precision.
  90-100 Written work more than meets the criteria for a High Distinction, displaying a marked degree of originality and/or scholarly professionalism. Depending on the task assigned, the exceptional qualities might include suggestion of a new perspective from which to view a problem, identification of a problem not adequately recognised in the standard literature, methodological and/or conceptual innovation, or a particularly creative approach to writing.

 

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

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.

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. Communicate arguments and ideas in a clear and effective way, both in writing and through oral presentation
  • LO2. Identify, summarise, and analyse the information and perspectives provided by existing historical scholarship
  • LO3. Demonstrate an ability to identify and select relevant and intellectually sound resources for historical research
  • LO4. Acquire and evaluate new knowledge through independent research on a prescribed essay topic
  • LO5. Independently formulate a coherent and intellectually valid topic for a research essay

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 that 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.