arc2ame arch of the middle east
ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE MIDDLE EAST
ARC2AME
Not currently offered
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject we trace fundamental innovations in the human career which were played out in the Middle East. The region was the cradle of crucial developments including the advent of the earliest farming societies and literate civilisations. Focusing on South-west Asia, the subject continues to investigate its archaeology from the Bronze and Iron Ages to the period of western ascendancy in the Hellenistic to Byzantine periods, concluding with the arrival of the Crusaders in the region. Political conditions, international rivalry and the massive size of many archaeological sites all played their parts in producing a distinctive brand of Middle Eastern archaeology.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorPhillip Edwards
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites 15 credit points of first-year Archaeology subjects, or co-ordinator's approval
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Appraise material culture interpretations based on chronological evidence
- Activities:
- Second 500-word assignment, with tutorial discussion and methodological training, to decide between two differing interpretations of a controversial case-study
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
02. Develop appropriate questions for archaeological data and case studies.
- Activities:
- Identify theoretical approaches and research questions appropriate to the evidence from a particular archaeological period. Write an essay answer to address those questions; demonstrate integration of themed knowledge in examination
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
04. In a team, collaborate effectively in the laboratory
- Activities:
- First 500-word assignment, analysing and recording an ancient artefact and using primary and secondary sources to frame a line of argument about its place and period of origin
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
05. In lectures and tutorials, discuss the cultural diversity of the ancient and Modern Middle East and Western colonialist attitudes to its study
- Activities:
- Medium-length essay discussing traditions of archaeological study of the ancient Middle East
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
06. Integration of key methodological and theoretical skills
- Activities:
- Tutorial session on career directions and transferability of methods and theoretical skills
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
07. Write a medium length essay using the Harvard referencing system, and tutorial assignments.
- Activities:
- Discussion of case studies in lectures and training on essay writing techniques in and tutorials; write a medium-length essay to address a substantive research question
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
Subject options
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