History in Action (WRIT3613)

Course overview

This capstone course is designed to give third year history students a thorough grounding in researching, writing and presenting a finished historical 'product' for a specified audience. The audience may be viewers of an exhibition created by a library or museum, readers of a popular magazine, users of a historical website, or school students. Close attention is paid to the quality of written expression and the ability of students to prepare visually engaging materials for a broad audience of readers/viewers. Assessment tasks involve the development of a suitable research strategy, a verbal presentation, and submission of the completed project (3,500 words or equivalent). Assessment tasks involve the development of a suitable research strategy, a verbal presentation, and submission of the completed project (3,500 words or equivalent). The final product can be presented to a potential employer as an example of the student's ability as a professional historian.

This Capstone course is designed to give third-year history students a thorough grounding in researching, writing, and presenting a finished historical ‘product’ for a public audience. The audience may be viewers of an exhibition created by a library or museum, readers of a popular magazine, users of a historical website, school students or a community group, among many options. In this course you will develop and complete your own research project. The major constraint is that you cannot write a conventional undergraduate essay. Advice on the challenges involved in variousﾠ'platforms' (exhibitions, websites, documentaries, etc.) will be provided during the semester as your project develops.ﾠ

After the three initial lectures, tutorials in WRIT3613 will begin in Week 4. The topics will be presented in the first lecture. Each tutorial group will correspond to a different topic. This will be fully explained in Week 1.

In our weekly one-hour tutorial, we will have readings and topic discussions to introduce you to key issues of historical research and interpretation. In this courseﾠthe key emphasis is on developing your own project ideas and preferred platform with a high degree of flexibility.

There are a number of directed historical projects that have been developed with external partners (museums, government bodies and community groups). These have a strong 'Work-Integrated Learning' focus, and will be fully explained in the first lecture, as well as via a document posted to Blackboard. Students will be invited to submit expressions of interest if they would like to take up one of these project opportunities.

In all projects, close attention is paid to the quality of written expression and the ability of students to prepare visually engaging materials for a broad audience of readers/viewers. The final product can be presented to a potential employer as an example of your ability as a professional historian and researcher.

Course requirements

Assumed background

This unit is the Capstone course in History. It is recommended that students have substantial experience in historical research and writing through introductory and second-year courses. It is offered annually, and you should ideally take the course in your third year of study. You should not take this course in your first year.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

HIST3612, HIST3613

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

OUTLINE OF CLASS ACTIVITIES ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ ﾠﾠ

This course will be taught somewhat differently to your other History units. As the main object is to develop your own project, we have minimised class times and instead focused on quality engagements, giving you extra time for your own research.

Inﾠ Weeks 1-3, the whole class meets as an ordinary lecture. These lectures and accompanying discussion will be recorded and available on Blackboard.ﾠStudents should select their preferred topic group during this introductory phase of the course, i.e. during Weeks 1-3. Your intended project topic should be broadly clarified by the start of the Week 4 tutorial.

Inﾠ Weeks 4-12, each topic group meets for a one-hour tutorial with their tutorial topic group. Readings and classroom discussion on project ideas are required for these tutorials. Your tutor will advise on the format for presentations to be delivered during this section of the course.ﾠ

Inﾠ Week 13, the final week of classes, there will be personal consultations as required, either in person or via Zoom. Please contact your tutor if necessary for any final advice prior to the submission of your completed project.

NB: There are no lectures or lecture recordings in Weeks 4-13, and there are no tutorials in Weeks 1-3.

Workshops:

There will be 2 workshops during semester to help you with your projects:

• The staff at the UQ Central Library will host a dedicated 'Digital Skills Expo' for students planning to undertake projects on digital platforms such as online exhibitions, podcasts and e-books. The session will introduce students to technical support and skills in areas such as 3D imaging and photogrammetry, web design and interaction, podcast and audio production, and copyright awareness.
• Fryer Library staff will host a research workshop designed specifically for this course, 'Interpreting Primary Sources'. Itﾠwill be held face-to-face in the Fryer Library, Duhig Tower.

Further details will be confirmed once semester is underway.

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Aims and outcomes

WRIT3613 takes final year history students through the creation of historical products for a specified client or a prospective audience/readership. The format/platform of the product may be an exhibition catalogue, film script, short biography, ebook or website, documentary or a popular magazine article. The course explores theﾠproblems and possibilities that historians encounter when embarking on a range of different types of historical projects, and provides them with practical experience in working through these. There is an emphasis on the research process through lectures and assessment tasks, with advice for students in developing and implementing a research strategy suited to the scope and purposes of their own project. Across the semester students will be given practical and “hands on” experience through creating a historical product, which they can use subsequently in their portfolios to show prospective employers.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Project Outline

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

10% 250 words plus biblography (7-10) items

Due date

16/08/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit via Turnitin on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Project Proposal and Sources

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

20% 500 words plus annotated bibliography (12-15 items)

Due date

13/09/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit via Turnitin on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Project

Mode

Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written

Category

Project

Weight

50% 3,500 words or equivalent

Due date

4/11/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit via Turnitin on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Participation and Presentation

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Oral

Category

Participation/ Student contribution, Presentation

Weight

20%

Due date

12/08/2024 - 14/10/2024

Weeks 4-12, in tutorials.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Project Outline Criteria

Your Project Outline will be assessed according to the following criteria: 

1. Topic definition and rationale for project.
2. Concise statement of your research question or problem.
3. Outline of research approach, strategy and time plan.
4. Identification of key issues and/or challenges.
5. Evaluation of academic sources and evidence.
6. Presentation and written expression.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your outline should demonstrate exceptional consideration of issues related to topic definition and rationale, and provide a nuanced and sophisticated statement of your research question and strategic approach. Project tasks should be identified very clearly, and the evaluation of relevant sources will be very insightful. Your outline will be very well written, clear and concise, pay strict attention to discipline conventions and have minimal, if any errors in referencing, expression, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84%), your outline should demonstrate an advanced level of consideration of issues related to topic definition and rationale, and provide a very effective statement of your research question and strategic approach. Project tasks will be clearly identified, and the evaluation of relevant sources will be insightful. Your outline will be well written, clear and concise, follow discipline conventions and have few errors in referencing, expression, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%), your outline should demonstrate proficient consideration of issues related to topic definition and rationale, and provide an effective statement of your research question and strategic approach. Project tasks will be well identified, with good evaluation of relevant sources. The presentation and referencing of your outline will follow/largely follow discipline conventions, have few/some errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation, and demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%), your outline should adequately consider some issues related to topic definition and rationale, and provide a functional or workable statement of your research question and strategic approach. There will be adequate identification of some project tasks, and a basic evaluation of some relevant sources. Your organisation, writing, referencing, spelling and grammar will be adequate and use some of the discipline conventions to communicate appropriately.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%), your outline will consider issues related to topic definition and rationale only superficially, and will provide an attempt that demonstrates developing proficiency but ultimately does not result in a workable statement of your research question and/or strategic approach. Identification of project tasks will be superficial, and relevant sources will be evaluated inadequately. Your organisation, writing, spelling and grammar will be adequate/poor and your referencing and use of discipline conventions poor/and or inconsistent.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), your outline will demonstrate minimal consideration of issues related to topic definition and rationale, will fail to provide a workable statement of your research question and strategic approach. There will be poor or insufficient identification of project tasks, and inadequate evaluation of relevant sources. Your organisation and writing will be poor and/or inappropriate, and referencing and use of discipline conventions poor/and or inconsistent.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your outline will fail to consider issues related to topic definition and rationale, and will not present a workable statement of your research question and strategic approach. There will be no or insufficient identification of project tasks, and no or insufficient evaluation of relevant sources. There will be an unsatisfactory standard of presentation and/or written expression. Use of discipline conventions will be absent, poor or inappropriate.

Project Proposal and Annotated Bibliography Criteria

Your Project Proposal will be assessed according to the following criteria: 

1. Topic definition and rationale for project.
2. Concise statement of your research question or problem.
3. Outline of research approach, strategy and time plan.
4. Identification of key issues and/or challenges.
5. Evaluation of academic sources and evidence.
6. Presentation and written expression.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your proposal should demonstrate exceptional consideration of issues related to topic definition and rationale, and provide a nuanced and sophisticated statement of your research question and strategic approach. Project tasks should be identified very clearly, and the evaluation of relevant sources will be very insightful. Your proposal will be very well written, clear and concise, pay strict attention to discipline conventions and have minimal, if any errors in referencing, expression, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84%), your proposal should demonstrate an advanced level of consideration of issues related to topic definition and rationale, and provide a very effective statement of your research question and strategic approach. Project tasks will be clearly identified, and the evaluation of relevant sources will be insightful. Your proposal will be well written, clear and concise, follow discipline conventions and have few errors in referencing, expression, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%), your proposal should demonstrate proficient consideration of issues related to topic definition and rationale, and provide an effective statement of your research question and strategic approach. Project tasks will be well identified, with good evaluation of relevant sources. The presentation and referencing of your proposal will follow/largely follow discipline conventions, have few/some errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation, and demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%), your proposal should adequately consider some issues related to topic definition and rationale, and provide a functional or workable statement of your research question and strategic approach. There will be adequate identification of some project tasks, and a basic evaluation of some relevant sources. Your organisation, writing, referencing, spelling and grammar will be adequate and use some of the discipline conventions to communicate appropriately.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%), your proposal will consider issues related to topic definition and rationale only superficially, and will provide an attempt that demonstrates developing proficiency but ultimately does not result in a workable statement of your research question and/or strategic approach. Identification of project tasks will be superficial, and relevant sources will be evaluated inadequately. Your organisation, writing, spelling and grammar will be adequate/poor and your referencing and use of discipline conventions poor/and or inconsistent.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), your proposal will demonstrate minimal consideration of issues related to topic definition and rationale, will fail to provide a workable statement of your research question and strategic approach. There will be poor or insufficient identification of project tasks, and inadequate evaluation of relevant sources. Your organisation and writing will be poor and/or inappropriate, and referencing and use of discipline conventions poor/and or inconsistent.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your proposal will fail to consider issues related to topic definition and rationale, and will not present a workable statement of your research question and strategic approach. There will be no or insufficient identification of project tasks, and no or insufficient evaluation of relevant sources. There will be an unsatisfactory standard of presentation and/or written expression. Use of discipline conventions will be absent, poor or inappropriate.

Project Criteria

Your Project will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. Rigour and quality of the argument and critical evaluation of the pertinent ideas.
2. Level of understanding of the critical issues.
3. Quality of the structure and organization of the material.
4. Extent of the research conducted.
5. Originality of the discussion or resolution of problems and arguments.
6. Quality and clarity of written expression.
7. Adequacy of referencing (where required).

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your project should demonstrate a very high level of rigour in argumentation and understanding of issues, exceptional organization of material, extensive research, and original and creative discussion. The presentation and referencing should be excellent, with minimal, if any, errors and strict attention to referencing conventions if required.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84%), your project should demonstrate a high level of rigour in argumentation and understanding of issues, very good organisation of material, wide research, and a capable synthesis of research materials. The presentation and referencing should be of high quality with few errors and should evidence close attention to referencing conventions if required.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65-74%), your project should demonstrate an above average level of rigour in argumentation and understanding of issues, good organization of material, adequate research, and an adequate synthesis of research materials. The presentation, including referencing, should be of a good quality and the essay should be easily readable and should evidence suitable attention to referencing conventions if required.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50-64%), your project should demonstrate generally sound argumentation and understanding of issues, adequate organisation of material, an acceptable minimum in research, a minimally acceptable synthesis of research materials and should evidence attention to referencing conventions if required.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%), your project should reflect developing levels of achievement. It should demonstrate that you have a superficial level of knowledge of fundamental concepts and skills, that you have undertaken a basic level of research, made some attempt to evaluate data and/or evidence, to identify problems and issues, and to offer some insights. Your arguments, while underdeveloped, show your emerging ability to apply knowledge and skills. Your organisation, writing, spelling and grammar will be adequate, perhaps poor, and your referencing and use of discipline conventions (if required) poor/and or inconsistent.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), your project will reflect deficiencies in skill acquisition and in your understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course. It will demonstrate that you have not undertaken adequate research, that you are unable to evaluate data and/or evidence, to identify problems and issues, or to offer insights adequately. Your arguments will be unsupported and/or inappropriate, your organisation and writing will be poor and/or inappropriate, and referencing and use of discipline conventions (if required) poor/and or inconsistent.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your project will reflect that you have failed to meet the minimum learning requirements and skill acquisition for this course. Your project will demonstrate an absence of research, evaluation of data and/or evidence, and lack argumentation. Use of discipline conventions (if required) will be absent, poor or inappropriate, and written expression poor or inappropriate

Participation and Presentation Criteria

Your Tutorial Participation will be assessed according to the following criteria: 

1. Evidence of participation in discussions.
2. Evidence of preparation for the tutorial, most notably through completing the set readings.
3. Quality of contributions to discussions.
4. Fostering of group discussions, through courteous and respectful interactions with staff and students.

Attendance is necessary to fulfill the above criteria, as per the course requirements, but marks cannot be awarded for attendance alone.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), your attendance will be flawless and your participation exceptional. This grade reflects exceptional levels of preparation, mastery of course materials, and very high quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions. You should be able to engage with your peers very effectively.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84) your attendance will be excellent and your participation very substantial. This grade reflects excellent levels of preparation, knowledge of course materials, and high quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions. You should be able to engage with your peers effectively.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65 – 74%), your attendance and participation will be good. This grade reflects proficient levels of preparation, good knowledge of course materials, and good quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50 – 64%) your attendance and participation will be satisfactory. This grade reflects adequate levels of preparation and knowledge of course materials, and an acceptable quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45 – 49%) your attendance and participation will be unsatisfactory. This grade reflects irregular attendance and/or participation and superficial knowledge of course materials and basic levels of preparation. However, when in attendance, there is evidence of your ability to demonstrate developing achievement in contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), your attendance and participation will be very unsatisfactory. This grade reflects irregular attendance and/or participation, minimal knowledge of course materials, little evidence of preparation, and mixed to low quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), your attendance and participation will be unsatisfactory. This grade reflects irregular attendance and/or participation, an no evidence of preparation, and little or no evidence of quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.

Your Presentation will be assessed according to the following criteria: 

1. Content and argument of the topic of the presentation.
2. Engagement with relevant sources and evidence.
3. Compliance with the stated time limit.
4. Evidence of preparation.
5. Fluency, ease and persuasiveness of the presentation.
6. Fostering of discussion and engagement of audience, as per course requirements.

To achieve a grade of 7 (High Distinction, 85-100%), you will have presented a very fluent and very well-prepared talk that clarifies and explains your topic with a very clear and effective structure. You will have utilised both supplied and original materials to achieve a highly effective discussion that complies precisely with the stated time limit.

To achieve a grade of 6 (Distinction, 75-84%), you will have presented a fluent and very well-prepared talk that clarifies and explains your topic with a clear and effective structure. You will have utilised supplied and original materials to achieve a very effective discussion that complies with the stated time limit.

To achieve a grade of 5 (Credit, 65-74%), you will have presented a well-prepared, proficient talk that clarifies and explains your topic with an adequate and functional structure. You will have utilised supplied and original materials to achieve an effective discussion within the stated time limit.

To achieve a grade of 4 (Pass, 50-64%), you will have presented a basic talk that addresses aspects of your topic but with some flaws in your approach, structure and/or delivery. There may have been limitations in your use of supporting materials, and/or difficulties in meeting set time constraints. 

To achieve a grade of 3 (Marginal Fail, 45-49%) you will have presented a talk that has clear potential, but has only superficially addressed aspects of your topic. There will have been several flaws in your approach, structure and/or delivery. There will have been limitations in your use of supporting materials, and/or difficulties in meeting set time constraints.

To achieve a grade of 2 (Fail, 25-44%), you will have presented a talk that has was not adequately prepared or presented. Minimal effort will have been put into clarifying your topic, and your approach, structure and/or delivery will have been deficient or flawed. Major deficiences will also have been present in utilising supporting materials, and/or meeting time requirements. 

To achieve a grade of 1 (Low Fail, 0-24%), you will have presented a talk that has was not well prepared or presented. You will not have clarified your topic and your talk will have lacked an effective structure. You will not have utilised supporting materials and/or met set time requirements.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

• Failure to submit all major assessment items (those worth 15% and above) will result in a maximum grade of 2 (Fail).
• By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration: ‘I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment’.
• All students must ensure that they receive their Turnitin receipt on every submission of assessment items. YOU MUST CHECK THAT THE RECEIPT CONFIRMS THAT SUBMISSION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
• A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing. Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after ten calendar days, will receive zero. In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible so that they can confirm the outage with ITS.
• It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are submitting assessment items on a device that is capable of the task, and that appropriate internet bandwidth and speed is available. If you cannot be sure that your device or internet will enable you to complete or submit an assessment task, you must come onto campus and use one of the University Computers in the Library or Computer Labs.
• Plagiarism, and asking or paying someone else to do your work is cheating and constitutes academic misconduct. See ECP Section 6.1
• Feedback against the assessment criteria in the form of comments on your script will be provided through Turnitin or on your script directly.
• For information on assessment remarks see: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/querying-result

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.