This advanced undergraduate course enables students to study a range of exciting and important historical topics in collaboration with specialists in the field. The topics will vary from year to year, depending on the expertise of the convenor. The structure and assessment of the course may vary from topic to topic. In each iteration the course will enable students to develop their knowledge and research skills by working with experts. Students will have an opportunity to develop a research project of their own, with guidance and support.
Please refer to the Class tab for details of the specific topic available each year, and the Class Summary for a detailed description including convenor, theme, format, scheduling, detailed assessment structure, and indicative readings.
Sample topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The History of Capitalism
- The History of Humanitarianism
- Gender and History
- The Death Penalty and its Alternatives in History
Topic for 2025: Climate and Capital: A History
Climate and Capital: A History, is an advanced undergraduate course designed to familiarise students with the intertwined history of capitalism and climate change. We start conceptually, by exploring definitions of "Capital," "Capitalism" "Climate Change" and "Anthropocene" before investigating specific themes the illustrate how the process of capital accumulation has and has not been connected to climate change. But anthropogenic climate change is not exclusive to the capitalist mode of production. A portion of the course is also dedicated to understanding how industrial development in the socialist and communist world or through state activities has culminated in climate change.
All students will come prepared having done the weekly readings which two small groups will take the lead in presenting during the weekly seminar. The major piece of assessment is a research essay of 2,500 words on a topic agreed upon with the convener, and for which a plan is submitted for review and assessment by the end of Week 7.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- analyse the issues, core concepts and scholarly debates associated with the field of study;
- produce evidence-based historical arguments in written and oral form;
- design and complete a research project in the field of study; and
- work collaboratively with others to develop their knowledge of the topic.
Indicative Assessment
- Research project proposal (500 words + bibliography) (5) [LO 1,2,3]
- Research essay (2,500 words) (45) [LO 1,2,3]
- In-class presentation of readings (10) [LO 1,2,4]
- Oral and/or written contribution towards class activities (10) [LO 1,2,4]
- Take-home exam (30) [LO 1,2]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorial and tutorial-like activities; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Key course readings will be made available to students through Wattle.
Preliminary Reading
McNeill and Engelke, The Great Acceleration, 2015
Malm, Fossil Capital, 2016
Karl Marx, Capital
Jonathan Robins, Oil Palm: A Global History, 2021
Helen Anne Curry, Endangered Maize: Industrial Agriculture and the Crisis of Extinction, 2022
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.