Research essay:Australian Story (2000 words) 30% (DueFriday 12 April). You will answer the question:How was[person xxxx]slife anAustralian story?(Ho
Research essay:Australian Story (2000 words) 30% (DueFriday 12 April). You will answer the question:How was[person xxxx]slife anAustralian story?(How was it shaped by historical themes we explore in the unit such as migration, trade, regional exchange, labour, colonisation, Aboriginal-white relations, myth and identity, urbanisation, citizenship or the struggle for rights?)
A research essay asks you to go beyond the required reading and further reading lists to locate sources in the library. It requires you to develop your own response to the question. You will write your research essay on a person who exemplifies a theme or historical process we explore in the unit. Your research essay examines the work and contribution of a person from the list provided.
You will be assessed on (1) the amount and quality of research material you have used and how well you have mobilised this material behind your argument, and (2) the extent to which your essay shows how your chosen individuals life relates to our unit themes, as well as (3) the usual generic essay-assessment criteria of quality and articulation of argument, lucidity of writing, care in presentation, and correct formatting (see the History Program's guide to the documentation of essays). Significantly over-length essays will be penalised.
Referencing style - Chicago
The following individuals areexamples ofpossible choicesfor your research essay (you may write about another individual of your choice, following consultation with the unit coordinator and/or your tutor).
Mungo Lady. About 42,000 years ago, Mungo Lady lived around the shores of Lake Mungo.
Truganini (c. 1812-1876).Nuenonne (Tasmanian) Aboriginal woman who was a cultural mediator and wrongly termed last of the Tasmanians.
Captain James Stirling (1791-1865).British naval officer and colonial administrator
Midgegooroo(died 22 May 1833) wasa Noongar man and resistance fighter.
Fanny Balbuk Yooreel (1840-1907). Noongar woman with traditional knowledge who survived colonisation.
Mei Quong Tart (1850-1903). Prominent Sydney merchant and philanthropist.
Augustus Charles Gregory (1819-1905). Explorer and surveyor-general, Western Australia.
Thomas LivingstoneMitchell(1792-1855), surveyor andexplorerof south-eastern Australia.
Ned Kelly (1854-1880).Australian bushranger, outlaw, gang leader and convicted police murderer.
George Shenton(1811-1867). Chemist and merchant.
John Forrest(1847-1918). Surveyor, explorer and politician.
John Boyle O'Reilly (1844-1890). Soldier, Fenian, author, convict and escapee.
Grace Bussell (later Drake-Brockman) (1860-1835). Teenage heroine and settler of the south-west.
Bessie Rischbieth (1874-1967), feminist and suffragist.
Sir Edmund Barton, first Prime Minister of Australia (1901-1903).
You must have completed each assessment component to pass the course as a whole. Assessment will be given as grades and marks using the following categories:
HD (high distinction) 100-80
D (distinction) 79-70
CR (credit) 69-60
P (pass) 59-50
N (fail)
49-0
