Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Taught on campus

8 hours per week: Total time commitment 96 hours

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Students who have passed 'Ancient Egypt and Mesoptamia' or 'Pyramids and Princes: Egypt and the East' under the code 107-102 are not permitted to enrol in this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements 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/

This subject will introduce students to the archaeology, history, and literature of the earliest civilisations - one situated in the Nile Valley (Pharaonic Egypt), and the other in the plains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (Mesopotamia – modern Iraq and Syria). Neigbouring cultures in Greece, Persia, and Turkey will also be introduced. These vastly different, but interconnected societies, have stirred our imaginations for millennia, inspiring those who have shaped history, including Alexander the Great and Napoleon. They will be compared in terms of their monuments, art, mythology, epic narratives, languages, history and social institutions. Their highly visible legacy, uncovered by generations of archaeologists and historians, will also be examined to define further the processes that developed these complex societies.

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• be familiar with the development of ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern civilisations.
• understand the role of ancient Egypt and the East in modern History.
• be able to undertake academic research and writing, analyse problems, and enhance their communication skills.

Written work totalling 4000 words comprising two 1000 word research essays 25% each (one due mid-semester and one due at the end of semester), a reflective essay/take-home exam of 2000 words 40% (distributed at the end of semester) and tutorial participation 10% (throughout the semester).

Hurdle Requirements: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After five working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject

A subject reader will be available.

First Civilizations: Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt (R Chadwick), London: Equinox (2nd Edition)

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

• be skilled in critical thinking and analysis.

• possess effective written communication skills.

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