Students
AHIS150 – The Archaeology of Ancient Israel and the Near East
2014 – S1 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Kyle Keimer
Contact via kyle.keimer@mq.edu.au
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an introduction to the history and archaeology of Ancient Israel and the Near East through the archaeological record. It explores the fascinating history of the region including the earliest human settlement, the beginning of agriculture, the rise of Bronze Age states, the emergence of Israelite kingdoms, the Philistines, and down to the Roman Period. It teaches about regional relationships with the Egyptians, Hittites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and Greeks; how empires rose and fell; and the emergence of Judaism and Christianity. The focus is on how excavation of ancient sites and analysis of artefacts can help inform our knowledge of the past. The unit gives a broad platform of knowledge for more specialised study, with opportunities for future participation in excavations in Israel.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz 1 | 10% | 16/3/14 |
| Quiz 2 | 10% | 30/3/14 |
| Quiz 3 | 10% | 13/4/14 |
| Article Summary | 10% | 4/5/14 |
| Quiz 4 | 10% | 11/5/14 |
| Quiz 5 | 10% | 25/5/14 |
| Encyclopedia Article | 10% | 8/6/14 |
| Participation | 10% | End of the Semester |
| Final Exam | 20% | End of the Semester |
Quiz 1
Due: 16/3/14
Weighting: 10%
This short, ten-question quiz will assess your knowledge of the course materials covered in the lectures and readings assigned for weeks 1-2. It must be submitted by Sunday 16 March at noon local Sydney time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
Quiz 2
Due: 30/3/14
Weighting: 10%
This short, ten-question quiz will assess your knowledge of the course materials covered in the lectures and readings assigned for weeks 3-4. It must be submitted by Sunday 30, Mar at noon local Sydney time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
Quiz 3
Due: 13/4/14
Weighting: 10%
This short, ten-question quiz will assess your knowledge of the course materials covered in the lectures and readings assigned for weeks 5-6. It must be submitted by Sunday 13, Apr at noon local Sydney time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
Article Summary
Due: 4/5/14
Weighting: 10%
Choose one article from any of the extra bibliographies provided each week on the course website to summarize and assess. You can choose any article listed with an asterisk (*) in the bibliographies, and you may choose an article from any week. For example, if you are interested in the Iron Age, you may read an asterisked article at any time during the course of the session; you do not have to wait until we get to that period in the class to read the article in which you are interested.
Your summary will be two full pages in length (1 inch margins, 12 pt Times New Roman (or comparable) font) and must include the following: 1) mention of the author's thesis and key points; and, 2) your assessment of the author's thesis and use of the archaeological and/or historical evidence. Your assessment can incorporate additional articles/research that you believe support or disprove the author's interpretation.
The purpose of this assignment is to allow you the opportunity to interact with modern archaeological scholarship and to delve into a topic of personal interest in more detail.
You may submit your assignment at any time up until noon (12pm AEST) on 17/1/14.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Quiz 4
Due: 11/5/14
Weighting: 10%
This short, ten-question quiz will assess your knowledge of the course materials covered in the lectures and readings assigned for weeks 9-10. It must be submitted by Sunday 11, May at noon local Sydney time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
Quiz 5
Due: 25/5/14
Weighting: 10%
This short, ten-question quiz will assess your knowledge of the course materials covered in the lectures and readings assigned for weeks 11-12. It must be submitted by Sunday 25, May at noon local Sydney time.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
Encyclopedia Article
Due: 8/6/14
Weighting: 10%
Write a 1000-word encyclopedia article on any site, assemblage, or archaeological feature covered in this course. Your encyclopedia article should include all the essential information about your topic that a person would want to know if they were to read your article (e.g., date, location, size, material properties, interpretation, strata, history, excavators, etc.). Your topic must be approved by the professor.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Participation
Due: End of the Semester
Weighting: 10%
Participation includes active interaction with the materials (understanding and synthesizing the data and issues), completing the readings for any give week before the lecture, being prepared to discuss the readings during tutorial, and posting on the course forum on a weekly basis.
Final Exam
Due: End of the Semester
Weighting: 20%
Your final exam will be comprehensive. It will include the following types of questions: multiple choice, matching, true and false, and short answer. Once you start the exam, you will have one hour to complete it. The exam must be completed in one sitting, but can be done at any time between Noon on 27/1/14 and noon on 31/1/14. You WILL NOT be able to access the exam after 12pm on 31/1/14. If you start your exam after 11am on 31/1/14 you will only have until noon to complete it (i.e., you will have less than one hour for your exam).
You are welcome to use any resource you have from the class, but you will have only one hour. When the hour is up, you will be locked out of the exam and it will be submitted. Any unanswered questions will be marked as incorrect and the appropriate number of points will be deducted from your grade. Once you submit your exam you cannot change any answers. Also, any written answers (e.g., short answer) must be clearly and coherently written. If I can't understand what you are saying, points will be deducted from your grade.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Delivery and Resources
This class is offered internally and externally this session. Internal students will meet in-class for lectures and tutorials while external students will access course material via the iLearn website. Every student, whether internal or external, will need internet access that allows the downloading of large video files and additional resources in order to pass this course. Additionally, access to a library and/or article database such as Jstor will be necessary to complete multiple of the assigments. If individual access to such databases is not possible, access is possible via the Macquarie Library website, although a proxy server may be necessary (for more see the "IT Help" link under the "Policies and Procedures" tab).
All lectures, assignments, and readings will be posted on the course's iLearn site for external students. Additional resources, including weblinks and additional directions will also appear there.
Lectures have all been recorded and divided into modules. Each module focuses on one historical period and is broken down further into segments that deal with specific issues/topics within any given historical period. As the lectures and tutorials for this course are all on-line, no distinction has been made between modules/segments that are to be viewed as "Lecture" material and those to be viewed as "Tutorial" material. Specific topics for discussion that will be addressed in-class during tutorial time will be posted online for external students. External students will be expected to post on the course forum each week as part of their tutorial grade. This posting will show that the student has interacted with (i.e., read about, thought about, processed) the tutorial topic at hand. Tutorial topics will be made clear via the iLearn website each week.
Required Textbook:
Richard, Suzanne. 2003 Near Eastern Archaeology: A Reader. Eisenbrauns: Winona Lake, IN. ISBN: 1575060833
Recommended Texts:
Ben-Tor, Amnon (ed). 1992 The Archaeology of Ancient Israel. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. ISBN 0300059191
Mazar, Amihai. 1990 Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, 10,000-586 B.C.E. Doubleday, New York. ISBN: 0385425902
Stern, Ephraim. 2001 Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, Volume II: The Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian Periods (732-332 B.C.E.). Doubleday, New York. ISBN: 0385424507
Unit Schedule
| Week | Lectures and Tutorials | Readings | Assignments Due |
| Week 1 | Introduction, Historical Geography | Unit Guide; Holladay (33-47); Beitzel (pp.3-9) | |
| Week 2 | Neolithic, Chalcolithic | Rollefson (pp.244-253); Dever (383-390); Levy (263-273) | Quiz 1 |
| Week 3 | Early Bronze Age | Richard (286-302) | |
| Week 4 | Middle Bronze Age | Ilan (331-342) | Quiz 2 |
| Week 5 | Late Bronze Age | Alpert Nakhai (343-348) | |
| Week 6 | Iron Age I | Leonard (349-356); Ackerman (391-397); Block-Smith and Nakhai 1999 | Quiz 3 |
| Week 7 | Break | ||
| Week 8 | Break | ||
| Week 9 | Iron Age IIA | Younker (375-382); Garfinkel (2011) | Article Summary |
| Week 10 | Iron Age IIB | Matthews (157-163); | Quiz 4 |
| Week 11 | Iron Age IIC | Keimer 2013 | |
| Week 12 | Neo-Babylonian and Persian Periods | Carter (398-412); Betlyon 2006 | Quiz 5 |
| Week 13 | Hellenistic and Hasmonean Periods | Berlin (418-423); Berlin (423-433) | |
| Week 14 | Herod and Rome | Cohen 2011; Schiffman 1998:385-395 | Encyclopedia Article |
| Week 15 | The 1st Jewish Revolt | Cohen 2011; Schiffman 1998:385-395 | |
| Final | Final |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Know the archaeological periodization of the ancient Near East and aspects of the cultures studied in this unit.
- Identify methodological developments in the archaeology of the Near East.
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.
- Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce a critical analytical article review and essay answers on the final exam.
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.