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FOAR8001 – Research in History and Archaeology

Unit Description

This unit will introduce students to research in the cognate disciplines of Ancient History, Modern History, and Archaeology, exploring what characterises research in these disciplines. Students will encounter and learn to critically evaluate the key concepts, questions, and issues that have shaped and/or are currently shaping research in these disciplines. This unit will equip students to analyse the disciplines' key literature and identify the important theoretical approaches, methods, arguments, and ethical considerations that characterise research within this area. This unit will prepare students to position their own developing research ideas within a disciplinary context as they prepare for future independent research projects.

Unit Convenor and Teaching Staff

• Unit Convenor: Leigh Boucher
• Teaching Staff: Kirstin Mills

Credit Points and Prerequisites

• Credit Points: 10
• Prerequisites: Admission to Graduate Diploma of Research OR Bachelor of Philosophy.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Evaluate and analyse relevant approaches to research in their discipline, including relevant discipline-specific theories, concepts, methods, and arguments.
• Critically evaluate an advanced body of knowledge in their discipline.
• Analyse and evaluate arguments, texts, and/or data, considering the ethics and integrity frameworks required to conduct responsible, ethical, and reflective research in their discipline.
• Communicate relevant research concepts and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriate discipline-specific language.

Assessment Tasks

Historiographic Essay

• Assessment Type: Essay
• Indicative Time on Task: 50 hours
• Due: 11.55pm, Friday, Week 13
• Weighting: 50%
• Description: Write a 3000-word essay addressing a historiographical question formulated by the student, relating to ideas or issues covered in the unit.

Short Essay

• Assessment Type: Essay
• Indicative Time on Task: 25 hours
• Due: Monday after selected class presentation
• Weighting: 25%
• Description: Select one piece of original published historical research, lead a close reading of one section from the reading in class, and submit a reflection about this research and its relationship to the weekly thematic topic afterward.

Reflective Diary

• Assessment Type: Log book
• Indicative Time on Task: 15 hours
• Due: 11.55pm, Monday, Week 7
• Weighting: 25%
• Description: Write a weekly reflection between weeks 1-5, synthesising key points from the weekly discussion and offering a reflection on how these have challenged, transformed, or reinforced ideas about historical research.

Delivery and Resources

• Weekly schedule and assessment tasks available via iLearn.
• Weekly Seminar (online and in person): Monday 9-11.

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 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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness, and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching, and research. The university offers a range of resources and services to help students reach their 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, including:

• Academic Success resources to develop English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
• The Library provides online and face-to-face support to help students find and use relevant information resources.
• 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.