Overview
Ancient & Medieval Civilisations: An Introduction provides an overview of world history to 1400CE. It examines the first civilisations and rise of empires to 500CE and new patterns of civilisation between 500 and 1400CE. Areas of study include the Ancient Middle East, Egypt, India, China, Greece, Rome, the Islamic world, Byzantium, Africa, Japan, Korea, Meso-America and Europe to the Late Middle Ages. Students will be introduced to the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of each civilisation and the historical interactions between them. As an introductory level offering, the unit also introduces students to a preliminary understanding of the problems of historical evidence and emphasises both discipline-specific and generic skills. Students will require computer and internet access to complete some assessment for this unit. Together with the optional sequel, The Modern World Emerges: An Historical Overview, Ancient and Medieval Civilisations provides a firm foundation for more specialised history studies offered at CQU.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2019
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluations in Moodle.
Perhaps more interaction between the Unit Coordinator and students on the online forum would lead to better learning outcomes.
Consideration will be given to introducing more structured voluntary interaction on the Moodle Q&A Forum.
- demonstrate a broad knowledge of the political, economic, social and cultural history of major world civilisations and their interactions from pre-history to 1400CE (AD1400).
- demonstrate an unprejudiced understanding of the differing worldviews of these civilisations and an acceptance of others' informed opinions.
- demonstrate an understanding of the key historical problems of the period and be able to present evidence-backed solutions to these problems.
- demonstrate the following skills: i. the ability to explain the significance of historical events and processes relevant to the period; ii. the ability to critique historical interpretations and their applications to contemporary global issues; iii. the ability to understand and use the principle that ethical action and social responsibility are inherent in the study of history and its interpretations; iv. the ability to locate, retrieve, organise, analyse and synthesise historical evidence from both primary and secondary sources; v. the ability to develop and communicate cogent historical argument and knowledge in written and oral forms, employment the required referencing methods where necessary; vi. the ability to be self-directed and self-disciplined, and to show initiative.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
The Essential World History, Volume I : to 1800
- Edition: 8th edn (2017)
- Authors: Duiker, WJ, Spielvogel, JJ
- Cengage Learning
- Boston Boston , MA , USA
- ISBN: ISBN 9781305645356
- Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
Paper copies are available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Turabian
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
b.t.jones@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019Module/Topic
Introduction: Studying History and Civilisation
Chapter
Online Study Guide: Introduction and Topic 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019Module/Topic
Ancient Near East
Chapter
Topic 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Weekly Quizzes (Topics 2-5) open Monday (18 March) 8:00 AM AEST
Week 3
Begin Date: 25 Mar 2019Module/Topic
Ancient Greece and the Hellenistic Kingdoms
Chapter
Topic 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019Module/Topic
The Roman World
Chapter
Topic 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Medieval Europe
Chapter
Topic 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Weekly Quizzes (Topics 2-5) due/close Sunday (14 April) 11:00 PM AEST
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019Module/Topic
The Byzantine Empire and Islamic World
Chapter
Topic 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Weekly Quizzes (Topics 6-12) open Monday (22 April) 8:00 AM AEST.
Week 7
Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Ancient India
Chapter
Topic 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 06 May 2019Module/Topic
Expansion of Civilisation in Southern and Southeast Asia
Chapter
Topic 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 13 May 2019Module/Topic
Ancient China
Chapter
Topic 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 20 May 2019Module/Topic
Traditional China
Chapter
Topic 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 27 May 2019Module/Topic
Early Japan, Korea and Vietnam
Chapter
Topic 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Early Civilisations in the Americas
Chapter
Topic 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Weekly Quizzes (Topics 6-12) due/close Friday (7 June) 8:00 AM AEST.
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Choose any ONE of a number of questions covering Topics 2-5 and answer in an essay of approximately 1,500 words. Essay question choices are available on the HIST11037 Moodle website, under Essay 1 in the Assessment Block.
Before commencing the essay, read the essay-writing guide, referencing guide and the sample essay provided in Moodle. Footnote references and a bibliography must be provided in the Turabian style. You are expected to include in the footnotes and bibliography a minimum of four tertiary-standard academic works, in addition to the Duiker & Spielvogel textbook, the relevant study guide chapter and provided Course Resources Online (CRO) readings for that topic. The CQUni Library holds a wide range of authoritative works on each topic as well as many general histories and history journals, both in hardcopy and online.
Before submission, ensure your essay adequately meets the assessment criteria below.
Vacation Week Friday (19 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Essays will be marked and returned within two weeks of receipt by the Course Coordinator.
Assessment criteria [articulated with learning outcomes]
Historical content
- presentation of accurate, relevant and unbiased historical evidence [LO 1, 2, 3, 4(i-vi)]
Research and referencing skills
- evidence drawn from textbook, study guide and relevant CRO readings [LO 2, 4(i, ii, iii, iv, vi)]
- evidence drawn from own research using a minimum of four tertiary-standard academic sources [LO 2, 4(i, ii, iii, iv, vi)]
- appropriate and adequate acknowledgement of sources of ideas/evidence (footnotes) and any quotations (footnote and quote marks) [LO 3, 4(iii, vi)]
- correct use of the Turabian referencing style [LO 3, 4(iii, iv)]
Communication skills
- meeting the required number of words, the bulk of which should be your own [LO 4 (iv, v, vi)]
- logical structure/organisation of ideas [LO 4(i, iv, v, vi)]
- clear, concise and correct written English [LO 4(i, iv, v, vi)]
- presentation in formal essay style and layout [LO 4(v, iv)]
- demonstrate a broad knowledge of the political, economic, social and cultural history of major world civilisations and their interactions from pre-history to 1400CE (AD1400).
- demonstrate an unprejudiced understanding of the differing worldviews of these civilisations and an acceptance of others' informed opinions.
- demonstrate an understanding of the key historical problems of the period and be able to present evidence-backed solutions to these problems.
- demonstrate the following skills: i. the ability to explain the significance of historical events and processes relevant to the period; ii. the ability to critique historical interpretations and their applications to contemporary global issues; iii. the ability to understand and use the principle that ethical action and social responsibility are inherent in the study of history and its interpretations; iv. the ability to locate, retrieve, organise, analyse and synthesise historical evidence from both primary and secondary sources; v. the ability to develop and communicate cogent historical argument and knowledge in written and oral forms, employment the required referencing methods where necessary; vi. the ability to be self-directed and self-disciplined, and to show initiative.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Practical and Written Assessment
Choose any ONE of a number of questions covering Topics 6-12 and answer in an essay of approximately 1,500 words. Essay question choices are available on the HIST11037 Moodle website, under Essay 2 in the Assessment Block.
Essay 2 should demonstrate a serious effort to rectify problems identified in the marking feedback for Essay 1. As with Essay 1, follow the essay-writing and Turabian referencing guides provided in Moodle, in addition to the format and style of the sample essay.
Before submission, ensure your essay adequately meets the assessment criteria below.
NOTE: There is no longer any 'practical' component with this essay.
Review/Exam Week Friday (14 June 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Essays will be marked and returned within two weeks of receipt by the Course Coordinator.
Assessment criteria [articulated with learning outcomes]
Historical content
- presentation of accurate, relevant and unbiased historical evidence [LO 1, 2, 3, 4(i-vi)]
Research and referencing skills
- evidence drawn from textbook, study guide and relevant CRO readings [LO 2, 4(i, ii, iii, iv, vi)]
- evidence drawn from own research using a minimum of four tertiary-standard academic sources [LO 2, 4(i, ii, iii, iv, vi)]
- acknowledgement of all sources of ideas/evidence (footnote) and any quotations (footnote and quote marks) [LO 3, 4(iii, vi)]
- correct use of the Turabian referencing style [LO 3, 4(iii, iv)]
Communication skills
- meeting the required number of words, the bulk of which should be your own ([LO 4 (iv, v, vi)]
- logical structure/organisation of ideas [LO 4(i, iv, v, vi)]
- clear, concise and correct written English [LO 4(i, iv, v, vi)]
- presentation in formal essay style and layout [LO 4(v, iv)]
- demonstrate a broad knowledge of the political, economic, social and cultural history of major world civilisations and their interactions from pre-history to 1400CE (AD1400).
- demonstrate an unprejudiced understanding of the differing worldviews of these civilisations and an acceptance of others' informed opinions.
- demonstrate an understanding of the key historical problems of the period and be able to present evidence-backed solutions to these problems.
- demonstrate the following skills: i. the ability to explain the significance of historical events and processes relevant to the period; ii. the ability to critique historical interpretations and their applications to contemporary global issues; iii. the ability to understand and use the principle that ethical action and social responsibility are inherent in the study of history and its interpretations; iv. the ability to locate, retrieve, organise, analyse and synthesise historical evidence from both primary and secondary sources; v. the ability to develop and communicate cogent historical argument and knowledge in written and oral forms, employment the required referencing methods where necessary; vi. the ability to be self-directed and self-disciplined, and to show initiative.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Online Quiz(zes)
To assess your factual knowledge of each weekly topic, there is a series of open-book, multi-choice quizzes to be taken in Moodle. Questions in each quiz are based on the relevant study guide topic/chapter and the corresponding Duiker & Spielvogel chapter. Each quiz contains 10 randomly selected questions which must be completed within 40 minutes and on the first attempt.
The assessed quizzes will open and close in two batches and can be taken at any time during the weeks they are available. Ideally, they should be done weekly after completion of each topic's study.
- Quizzes for Topics 2–5 open 8am Monday of Week 2 (18 March) and close 11pm Sunday of Week 5 (14 April).
- Quizzes for Topics 6–12 open 8am Monday of Week 6 (22 April) and close 11pm Friday of Week 12 (7 June).
Over the term, you must complete a minimum of NINE assessed quizzes. If more quizzes are completed, the best nine results will be tallied.
There is a non-assessed practice quiz covering Topic 1 which can be taken as many times as required to familiarise yourself with the testing system. See Assessment Block in Moodle for more details.
9
Weekly
Students will receive their scores on submission of each quiz.
Assessment criterion [articulated with learning outcomes]
Historical content
- selection of the correct response [LO 1, 4(i, iv, vi)]
- demonstrate a broad knowledge of the political, economic, social and cultural history of major world civilisations and their interactions from pre-history to 1400CE (AD1400).
- demonstrate the following skills: i. the ability to explain the significance of historical events and processes relevant to the period; ii. the ability to critique historical interpretations and their applications to contemporary global issues; iii. the ability to understand and use the principle that ethical action and social responsibility are inherent in the study of history and its interpretations; iv. the ability to locate, retrieve, organise, analyse and synthesise historical evidence from both primary and secondary sources; v. the ability to develop and communicate cogent historical argument and knowledge in written and oral forms, employment the required referencing methods where necessary; vi. the ability to be self-directed and self-disciplined, and to show initiative.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
