HIST 4003 - Honours History Thesis

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2023

In this course students will choose a thesis topic in consultation with their supervisor. Students will attend a Thesis Writing Workshop, devise their research topic, refine their methodology and conduct preliminary research. The thesis will be 15,000 words in length.

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Course Details

Course Code	HIST 4003
Course	Honours History Thesis
Coordinating Unit	Historical and Classical Studies
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	12
Contact	1 hour per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	HIST 4001 and HIST 4002. Completed degree (72 units) including 24 units of History Major
Restrictions	Available only to students admitted to relevant Honours program
Assessment	15,000 word thesis (100%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Paul Sendziuk

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Demonstrate a detailed and high-level understanding of a particular historiography or historical problem.
2	Recognise a wide range of methodologies, conceptual approaches and domains of knowledge when applied to the past.
3	Identify, analyse, evaluate relevant primary and secondary sources to construct evidence based arguments and produce independent historical research.
4	Think independently and critically about the methodologies that are used by historians, and to apply (and, if necessary, adapt) these methodologies to understanding the past.
5	Communicate effectively, in a range of spoken and written formats, and to demonstrate a thorough grasp of the scholarly conventions of the discipline of history.
6	Demonstrate proficiency in the use of a range of contemporary technologies to conduct research, communicate results and communicate with others.
7	Demonstrate the skills of a historian which are appropriate for performing a range of professional roles, undertaking leadership positions, and sustaining lifelong learning.
8	Demonstrate a sensitivity to the diversity of historical cultures and the ethical implications of historical enquiry within a global context.
9	Develop a critical, self-reflective approach to the study of history, based on respect and mutual responsibility.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1, 2, 3,
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	3, 4, 5
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	5, 6
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	7
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	8
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	.
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	.
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	9

Learning Resources

Required Resources

None.

Recommended Resources

Students should take advantage of the library, online databases and resources, and locally based archives and libraries.

Online Learning

The course will be supported through MyUni. Student collegiality and support may be supported through discussion forums. Students will have access to a wide range of historcial sources online that will aid their research.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

The Honours thesis is an independent piece of research conducted by the student. The student is supported by a supervisor with whom they will have regular meetings to provide guidance through this process. Intermittently, there will be group meetings of the honours cohort to provide support and to give students opportunities to discuss their work with their peers.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The honours thesis has a workload of 156 hours. Students independently manage their workload, determining how much to allocate to finding and exploring primary sources, secondary reading, methodology and theory, and writing.

Learning Activities Summary

The Honours thesis is an independent piece of research conducted by the student. The student is supported by a supervisor with whom they will have regular meetings to provide guidance through this process. Intermittently, there will be group meetings of the honours cohort to provide support and to give students opportunities to discuss their work with their peers.

Specific Course Requirements

Students must have completed the History Honours Common Course.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

The Honours thesis encapsulates the skills of the historian. It is a thesis of c.15,000 words, where students demonstrate their mastery of the course learning outcomes.

Assessment task	Percentage	Learning Outcomes
Thesis (15,000 words)	100%	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Assessment Detail

The Honours thesis encapsulates the skills of the historian. It is a thesis of c.15,000 words, where students demonstrate their mastery of the course learning outcomes.

Submission

Students must submit two copies of the typed and bound thesis. They must also submit the text to Turnitin through MyUni.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade	Reported on Official Transcript
Fail	A mark between 1-49	F
Third Class	A mark between 50-59	3
Second Class Div B	A mark between 60-69	2B
Second Class Div A	A mark between 70-79	2A
First Class	A mark between 80-100	1
Result Pending	An interim result	RP
Continuing	Continuing	CN

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator