Ancient World Studies

Ancient World Studies embraces the broad study of Classical Greece and Rome, as well as Egypt and the Near East from 3000 BCE to the 4th century CE. Students can choose a variety of subject streams, which combine the study of ancient languages and/or texts in translation such as myth, literature, history, and philosophy with the study of archaeology, art, and architectural monuments. In addition, students can focus on a particular time period, geographic region, technical specialisation such as myth or ceramics, or thematic area of study. Students will gain insight into and understanding of contemporary society by exploring how ancient cultures have contributed to the development of our modern world, with regard to gender and ethnic identity, warfare, colonialism and imperialism, the propagandistic power of literary and visual imagery, and technology and economy. They will develop skills in research, writing, analysis, and communication that promote career flexibility.

The Honours program is an advanced level of study designed to allow students to specialise their knowledge across one area of study (pure Honours) or two (combined Honours). Applicants should have completed a major in Ancient World Studies with an average of at least H2A (75%) in second and third-year subjects within the major, or equivalent. Students accepted into the program undertake fourth-year level subjects and a short research thesis and must achieve honours-level grades (minimum 65%-H3) for each component of assessment in order to qualify for the award. The opportunity to specialise provides a strong foundation for the future direction of graduates, whether as a means of progressing to higher degree research in Arts at the Masters or PhD level, or improving the scope of employment options and professional advancement. Students with Honours from Melbourne Arts record exceptionally high rates of satisfaction with the professional and academic directions they pursue beyond graduation.

On successful completion of this Honours specialisation, students will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the literary and material culture in ancient Mediterranean civilisations, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, the Bronze Age, Greece, and Rome; and
• display critical skills and methodologies (including historical, literary, and archaeological) for the analysis of ancient cultures; and
• be able to communicate their own ideas and interpretations of ancient texts and artefacts, both orally and in writing; and
• demonstrate advanced training in archaeological theory and practice; and
• understand modern critical frameworks for the study of the ancient world; and
• develop and sustain an argument based on research.

Students undertaking pure honours in Ancient World Studies must complete:

• ANCW40013 Ancient World Studies Thesis (50 points) and
• ANCW40014 Research in Ancient World Studies (12.5 points); and
• Three elective subjects (37.5 points)

Total 100 points

Thesis

Note: the thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment.

Compulsory Subject

Electives

Students may take one of the following: