Course Outline Report: HIS302

What is this course about?

Description

This course explores urban history across time and around the globe, starting with ancient cities and extending into the recent past. The course examines how urban settlements have developed historically (ancient, medieval, industrial, colonial and post-colonial cities), and how cities and towns have shaped (and been shaped by) societies, cultures and minorities (e.g. conflict, borders, destruction, ethnic enclaves). It will also consider a variety of broad themes (e.g. environmental disaster, pollution and disease, food and transport, leisure and celebration). In this final-year History course, students will apply advanced research and critical thinking skills to explore a wide range of historical periods and settings through the specialised lens of urban history.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity	Hours	Beginning Week	Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online learning materials (e.g. videos, readings, activities)	1hr	Week 1	12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – In-person workshop	2hrs	Week 2	10 times
Online
Learning materials – Online learning materials (e.g. videos, readings, activities)	1hr	Week 1	12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online workshop	2hrs	Week 2	10 times

Course Topics

Ancient cities (e.g. Pompeii, Rome, Athens, Machu Picchu)
Medieval cities (e.g. London, Paris)
Transition into industrialisation and modernity in urban settings (e.g. London, Paris, New York City)
Colonial and post-colonial cities (e.g. Shimla, Calcutta/Kolkata)
Conflict and resistance in cities over time (e.g. Jerusalem, Istanbul, Paris, Cairo)
Abandoned and destroyed cities over time (e.g. London/Dresden/Warsaw, Hiroshima/Nagasaki, Chernobyl/Fukushima)
Divided, border and twin cities over time (e.g. Berlin, Nicosia/Famagusta, Derry/Belfast, Jerusalem/Palestine/Gaza Strip)
Ethnic enclaves and multiculturalism over time (e.g. Nazi-era ghettoes, Jim Crow-era U.S., South African cities during apartheid, Chinatowns around the world)
Vulnerable groups in urban settings over time (e.g. Rio de Janeiro, London, Johannesburg)
Urban settlements in extreme environments and disasters (e.g. Venice, London, Montreal, San Francisco, Brisbane)
Disease and pollution in urban settings (e.g. Venice, London, Wuhan/Beijing/Shanghai during COVID-19)
Food and transport in the city (e.g. Brisbane, Singapore, Paris, London)
Leisure and celebration in the city (e.g. Venice, Edinburgh, New York City, Sydney)

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to...		Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1	Demonstrate advanced understanding and analysis of themes and concepts relating to socio-cultural and urban history across ancient, medieval, and contemporary periods	Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Empowered Communication
2	Demonstrate independent project management and advanced communication skills via the design and production of a digital research project	Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Empowered Engaged Communication Problem solving Organisation Applying technologies Information literacy
3	Demonstrate an ability to contribute to broad historical discourse, and to constructively provide and receive relevant feedback in a peer-to-peer environment	Knowledgeable Empowered Ethical Engaged Communication Collaboration
4	Demonstrate advanced historical research skills through the location, evaluation, and creative and critical synthesis of appropriate primary and secondary sources	Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker Empowered Ethical Communication Problem solving Information literacy

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode	Task No.	Assessment Product	Individual or Group	Weighting %	What is the duration / length?	When should I submit?	Where should I submit it?
All	1	Activity Participation	Individual	30%	Active engagement with and participation in tutorials and online learning material activities, plus written submission of approx. 1000 words (excluding direct quotes, references, list of sources).	Throughout teaching period (refer to Format)	Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All	2	Written Piece	Individual	25%	300 word podcast pitch and 500 word podcast script outline (word counts do not include direct quotes, references, List of Sources)	Week 8	Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All	3	Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece	Individual	45%	8-minute pre-recorded podcast episode with referenced script (to be uploaded to Canvas Assignment Portal) - due Friday, second week of Exam Block. 500-word referenced reflective piece (to be uploaded to Canvas Assignment Portal) - due Friday, second week of Exam Block.	Exam Period	Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check

All - Assessment Task 1:Tutorial Activity & Written Reflection

Goal:

To demonstrate knowledge of urban history themes and concepts as applied to a specific ancient or medieval city, and contribute to collegial historical discourse.

Product:

Activity Participation

Authorship Statement:

Format:

Active Participation in Tutorials and Online Learning Material Activities: Students are required to attend and participate in tutorial AND Online Learning Material activities throughout the study period. Engagement with these activities will directly inform the subsequent written submission. 

Written submission: Approx 1000 word (excluding direct quotes, references, list of sources) written piece reflecting on in-class tutorial activities, and weekly Online Learning Material discussion points. The referencing style used should be Harvard, APA, or Chicago 17A. 

More information to be provided on Canvas.

Criteria:

No.		Learning Outcome assessed
1	Breadth and Depth of Knowledge: demonstrates engagement with and understanding of course themes and concepts through active participation in tutorial and Online Learning Material activities.	1 3
2	Interpretation: effectively incorporates and synthesises academic ideas and theories from relevant primary and secondary sources.	1 4
3	Communication: demonstrates effective and well-structured scholarly written communication	1 3
4	Academic Standards: demonstrates academic integrity, is suitably referenced to academic standards, and meets word count expectations.	1 3 4

Generic Skills:

Communication, Collaboration, Information literacy

All - Assessment Task 2:Podcast Pitch & Script Outline

Goal:

To demonstrate knowledge of urban history themes and concepts, and synthesise this knowledge into a podcast pitch and script outline.

Product:

Written Piece

Authorship Statement:

Format:

Students will complete a 300-word referenced podcast pitch and an accompanying 500-word referenced podcast script outline on a specific city/time period. A list of cities/time periods, as well as more detailed formatting/structure guidelines for the pitch and script outline, will be provided on Canvas at the start of trimester. 

This task is an opportunity for students to: 
Demonstrate advanced, high-quality research (including identification of appropriate primary and academic secondary sources); 
Demonstrate advanced written skills by crafting a compelling, cohesive podcast pitch and script outline that use relevant historical and theoretical ideas; and 
Contribute to academic historical discourse by engaging in respectful, constructive and substantial discussions with others in the class. 

The podcast pitch and script outline must be submitted to Canvas Assignment Submission Portal, as well as being posted on the Task 2 HIS302 Discussion Board thread.

Criteria:

No.		Learning Outcome assessed
1	Breadth and Depth of Knowledge: Applies and extends upon course themes and concepts through the location, analysis and synthesis of relevant primary and secondary sources.	1 3
2	Project Management: effectively incorporates relevant historical research, course themes, and interpretive ideas in the proposal and script outline for a digital research project.	1 2
3	Communication: demonstrates effective and well-structured scholarly written communication in a style and format appropriate for a digital research project proposal and script outline.	2
4	Academic Standards: demonstrates academic integrity, is suitably referenced to academic standards, and meets word count expectations.	2 3 4

Generic Skills:

Communication, Collaboration, Organisation, Information literacy

All - Assessment Task 3:8 minute Podcast Episode, and Reflective Piece

Goal:

To demonstrate knowledge of urban history themes and concepts as applied to a case study city, and present this knowledge in the form of a professional, engaging podcast episode.

Product:

Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece

Authorship Statement:

Format:

Students will complete an eight (8) minute-long recorded podcast episode on their chosen case study city/time period. More detailed recording/formatting/structure/editing guidelines for the podcast episode will be provided on Canvas at the start of trimester. 

Students are also required to complete a 500-word referenced written reflection.

More information on the two components of this Task will be provided on Canvas.

This task is an opportunity for students to: 
Demonstrate advanced, high-quality research (including identification of appropriate primary and academic secondary sources); 
Demonstrate advanced organisational, digital, and oral communication skills by crafting an engaging, cohesive, and well-evidenced podcast episode that uses relevant historical and theoretical ideas; and 
Demonstrate critical self-reflection regarding the nature of academic research and complexities of historical thinking and theories.

The podcast recording, referenced script, and referenced 500-word reflection should be engaging and professional in tone, and meet appropriate academic integrity standards. The referencing style used should be Harvard, APA, or Chicago 17A. 

Students are to submit: 
- 8 minute podcast recording and accompanying referenced script, and 500-word referenced written reflection, to Canvas Assignment Submission Portal, no later than Friday of the second week of exam block.

Criteria:


Breadth and Depth of Knowledge: demonstrates advanced understanding of urban history/ies through the effective integration of class themes and concepts with primary source materials.
Interpretation: effectively interprets advanced historical research for a non-academic audience via the creation of a professional and engaging digital research project.
Project Management: demonstrates an ability to independently manage a digital research project through to timely completion, and to critically reflect on the process and outcome.
Communication: demonstrates effective, professional, and engaging oral and written communication.
Academic Standards: demonstrates academic integrity, is suitably referenced to academic standards, and meets time and word count expectations.

Generic Skills:

Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
Review of Assessment and Final Grades
Supplementary Assessment
Central Examinations
Deferred Examinations
Student Conduct
Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central:

Course Outline

HIS302 Urban Histories

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Online

What is this course about?

Description

How will this course be delivered?

Course Topics

What level is this course?

What is the unit value of this course?

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Pre-requisites

Co-requisites

Anti-requisites

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Microcredential Information

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Details of early feedback on progress

Assessment tasks

Directed study hours

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Specific requirements

How are risks managed in this course?

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Assessment: Submission penalties

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

Student Charter

General Enquiries