Famine in Historical Perspective

Subject HIST40031 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.

Pre-teaching Period Start	not applicable
Teaching Period	not applicable
Assessment Period End	not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol	not applicable
Census Date	not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail	not applicable

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.

Time Commitment:

Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 10 hours per week: total time commitment 120 hours

Prerequisites:

Usually admission to honours or postgraduate diploam program in history Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in history (or in a relevant program) or enrolment in a relevant coursework Masters program

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Prof Stephen Wheatcroft

Contact

Stephen Wheatcroft

s.wheatcroft@unimelb.edu.au

x45960

Subject Overview:	food problem as societies develop, and of how these problems intensify and become recognised as famines. We study the nature of famine and the policies applied by the state to alleviate or avoid famine, and how these have changed over time. The seminar will consider the history of a number of the world&amp.amp.amp.rsquo.s major famines from different times and in different locations including the Great European Famine of 1315, the Great Irish Famine of 1847, the Russian and Chinese Famines of their Great Leap Periods (1927-33 and 1954-61), and World War famines including the classical Bengal Famine of 1943. Particular attention will also be paid to modern world food problems caused by the threat of war, terrorism, global warming and continuing poverty in parts of Africa, South America and Asia.
Objectives:	&amp.amp.amp.bull. Be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the theories of the nature of famine and of why and when they occurred. &amp.amp.amp.bull. Be able to analyse the factors that contributed to famines and the consequence of famines. &amp.amp.amp.bull. Be able to make historically informed comparative assessments of the causation and consequences of famine
Assessment:	A research essay of 5000 words 100% (due at end of semester)
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	&amp.amp.amp.bull. Demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other research information resources &amp.amp.amp.bull. Show critical thinking and analysis, and an ability to determine the strength of argument through essay writing and seminar discussion
Related Course(s):	Master of Arts in History (Advanced Seminars and Shorter Thesis) Master of International Relations Master of International Studies
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	History History History

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