ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE MIDDLE EAST
ARC2AME
2016
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject we trace fundamental developments in the human career that occurred in the Middle East. The region was the arena for many crucial events, from the evolution of modern humans to the earliest farming societies and literate civilisations. Focusing mainly on the Levant, this subject begins with the first village farming communities, then proceeds to the rise of urban states in the Bronze and Iron Ages, continues by investigating the period of western ascendancy in the Hellenistic to Byzantine periods, and concludes with the arrival of Islam 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.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Phillip Edwards
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: 15 credit points of Archaeology subjects, or co-ordinator's approval
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/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)
03. Draw on theoretical and methodological literature from the Middle East to answer research questions about archaeological case studies.
- Activities:
- Write a medium-length essay to address a substantive research question.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
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)
Melbourne, 2016, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Phillip Edwards
Class requirements
Lecture/FilmWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture/film per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 1-hour examination (1,000-word equivalent) | 25 | 02, 03 | |
| One 2,000-word essay | 50 | 02, 05, 07 | |
| Two 500-word assignments | 25 | 01, 04, 06 |