HIST 3039 - Human Trafficking: Atlantic Trade to Contemporary

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

Human trafficking is an enduring element of world history. This course will introduce students to the underside of globalization, to the process through which human beings are turned into commodities and bought and sold on the international market. 'Modernity' in the course is seen both through the eyes of the slavers as well as through the eyes of the enslaved, and the combined effect for students will be a dark journey to the depths of the world economy. The course begins with an in-depth assessment of the Atlantic trade and the rise of Europe. But rather than consider this history as safely confined to the past, the second half of the course considers the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in which enslavement changes form, but not function. The ubiquity of enslavement will lead us to many places: Europe, Latin America, North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Australia and Asia. The readings will include prize winning histories of enslavement and investigative journalism which reveals the contemporary situation. Abolitionism will be a focus as well, from its rise in the nineteenth century to its current resurgence. The inspiring strategies that enslaved people undertook to survive their bondage will be a feature throughout and are a testament to the human spirit. The major piece of assessment is a primary research paper that will allow students to discover new dimensions of this hidden history.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code HIST 3039
    Course Human Trafficking: Atlantic Trade to Contemporary
    Coordinating Unit Historical and Classical Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study
    Incompatible HIST 2072
    Course Description Human trafficking is an enduring element of world history. This course will introduce students to the underside of globalization, to the process through which human beings are turned into commodities and bought and sold on the international market. 'Modernity' in the course is seen both through the eyes of the slavers as well as through the eyes of the enslaved, and the combined effect for students will be a dark journey to the depths of the world economy. The course begins with an in-depth assessment of the Atlantic trade and the rise of Europe. But rather than consider this history as safely confined to the past, the second half of the course considers the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in which enslavement changes form, but not function. The ubiquity of enslavement will lead us to many places: Europe, Latin America, North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Australia and Asia. The readings will include prize winning histories of enslavement and investigative journalism which reveals the contemporary situation. Abolitionism will be a focus as well, from its rise in the nineteenth century to its current resurgence. The inspiring strategies that enslaved people undertook to survive their bondage will be a feature throughout and are a testament to the human spirit. The major piece of assessment is a primary research paper that will allow students to discover new dimensions of this hidden history.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Tom Buchanan

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1) Understanding key factual elements in the history of global enslavement.

    2) Ability to produce evidence-based arguments in research on global slavery.

    3) Ability to work in a group in order to facilitate research outcomes related to global enslavement.

    4) Proficiency in research technologies that facilitate research in global enslavement.

    5) An awareness of the ethical, social and cultural implications of historical inquiry—as pertains to enslavement--within a global context.

    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    3, 4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    These are to be announced.
    Recommended Resources
    To Be Announced
    Online Learning
    This course can be taken with a face-to-face seminar or an online seminar. 
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    This course will have one hour of assigned online lecture and a two hour seminar (either face-to-face or online).
    Workload

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

    This course is designed on the assumption that the typical student will allocate the following time to the course:

    1). Lecture viewing (12 hours)

    2). Seminar Attendance (44 hours) 
    Attendance is encouraged but not required in this course. 

    3). Preparation for Seminar (44 hours) 

    4). Assignment Preparation (Research and Writing) (56 hours)

    Total: 156 hours 
    Learning Activities Summary

    The course is divided into three parts: Old Slavery, Post-Emancipation Socieities, and the Contemporary World. Our seminar activities will engage different topics as we move chronologically through these time periods. 
    Specific Course Requirements
    There are no special requirements for completion of this course. 
  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary
    The following assignments will be included in the course:

    1). Book Review (1000 words) 30%

    2). Research Essay (2000 words) 45%

    3). Final Reflection (1000 words) 25%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    There are no special assessment requirements in this course. Seminars will help support student assessment completion, but attendance is not required. 
    Assessment Detail

    Book Review

    We will read a book on the history of Human Trafficking (TO BE ANNOUNCED). Students will review the book after discussing it in several seminars. 

    Research Essay

    Students will write a research essay on a topic of their choice. Seminars will help you determine your research question. Later in the term students will present their in-progress research papers. 

    Final Reflection

    Students will write a final reflection on one of many subthemes of the course. This will test students' understanding of weekly seminar assignments. 
    Submission
    All assessment will be submitted through Canvas. 
    Course Grading

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

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    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
  • Fraud Awareness

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