Archaeology of Homeric & Biblical People

Subject 670-342 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2009.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview:

While later Homeric texts portray the Greeks as a male dominated warrior culture and the Bible portrays the Philistines as treacherous and corrupt, archaeological evidence tells a more complex story. We will explore the vital cultures created by the Minoans and Mycenaeans of pre-historic Greece (the Aegean), which built monumental palaces and tombs, and look at how they legitimized their authority through art, religion, and the acquisition of exotic commodities from the east. The collapse of these civilizations at the end of the Bronze Age seems to have created a population of Aegean refugees that fought at Troy, attacked Egypt, Hellenized Cyprus, and settled in Israel, establishing the Philistine culture, which continued to produce Mycenaean-style pottery, iron, and other artifacts. We conclude with a look at the Philistines as an advanced culture influenced by the Canaanites, Cyprus, and the Aegean, which in turn influenced early Israelite culture.

Assessment: A journal assignment of 250 words 10% (due Week 3 of semester), a class paper/essay of 2000 words (including a 7-10 minute presentation) 45% (presentations during semester, and papers due at end of semester), a take-home examination of 1750 words 35% (due during the examination period), and tutorial participation 10% (throughout the semester). Hurdle requirement: students must attend 75% of tutorials in order to be pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts: Prescribed Texts:A subject reader will be availableAegean Art and Architecture (D Preziosi and L Hitchcock), Oxford, 1999
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be skilled in critical thinking;

  • possess effective written communication skills;

  • have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context.

Notes:

Previously available as 107-004 Age of Heroes. Students who have completed Age of Heroes are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Ancient World Studies
Ancient World Studies
Ancient, Medieval && Early Modern Studies Major

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