Students

AHIS150 – The Archaeology of Ancient Israel and the Near East

2015 – S3 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Dr. Kyle Keimer
Contact via kyle.keimer@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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.

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 critical analytical forum posts and essay answers on the final exam.

General Assessment Information

Submission of Assignments: As the present unit is offered only externally, all assignments are to be submitted via the iLearn site by their respective due dates and times (which are all listed according to local Sydney time). Access to the internet and the ability to download and/or view unit materials are essential. Any technical issue encountered with accessing unit materials and/or with submitting assignments should be directed to the IT department via ask.mq.edu.au. After lodging a complaint/request with them you must also notify me via email concerning the issue as soon as possible after it is discovered. Contacting me after an assessment's due date to say that you could not submit it on time will not result in an extension for that assessment unless IT provides me with a time-stamped notice.

Assignments will be assessed on their level of completion, coherence, grammar, and comprehension. A fuller set of guidelines for the forum posts and final exam will be provided at a later time.

Assessment tasks / assignments are compulsory and must be submitted on time. Extensions for assignments can only be granted for medical reasons or on compassionate grounds. Without documentation (medical or counselling certificates) or prior staff approval, a penalty of 2% a day, including weekends, will be applied. If required, applications for extensions should be made to me before the assignment's due date. No assignments will be accepted after assignments have been corrected and feedback has been provided.

Assignment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date.

For Special Consideration Policy see under Policies and Procedures.

Note on Assessment - To complete the unit satisfactorily you will need to undertake all assessment tasks and achieve an overall mark worth 50% or above.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Quiz 1 10% 13/12/15
Quiz 2 10% 20/12/15
Quiz 3 10% 10/1/16
Quiz 4 10% 17/1/16
Quiz 5 10% 24/1/16
Weekly Forum Posts 20% 11pm Every Sunday
Final Exam 30% 1/2/16

Quiz 1

Due: 13/12/15
Weighting: 10%

This short, ten-question quiz will assess your knowledge of the course materials covered in the lectures and readings assigned for week 1. It must be submitted by 11pm (local Sydney time) on Sunday Dec. 13.


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.

Quiz 2

Due: 20/12/15
Weighting: 10%

This short, ten-question quiz will assess your knowledge of the course materials covered in the lectures and readings assigned for week 2. It must be submitted by 11pm (local Sydney time) on Sunday Dec. 20.


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: 10/1/16
Weighting: 10%

This short, ten-question quiz will assess your knowledge of the course materials covered in the lectures and readings assigned for week 3. It must be submitted by 11pm (local Sydney time) on Sunday Jan. 10.


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 4

Due: 17/1/16
Weighting: 10%

This short, ten-question quiz will assess your knowledge of the course materials covered in the lectures and readings assigned for week 4. It must be submitted by 11pm (local Sydney time) on Sunday Jan. 17.


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: 24/1/16
Weighting: 10%

This short, ten-question quiz will assess your knowledge of the course materials covered in the lectures and readings assigned for week 5. It must be submitted by 11pm (local Sydney time) on Sunday Jan. 24.


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.

Weekly Forum Posts

Due: 11pm Every Sunday
Weighting: 20%

The brevity of this unit unfortunately does not allow for detailed discussion of many topics or even of every period. The purpose of the weekly forum posts is to remedy this by providing an outlet where you all can: 1) ask specific questions about lectures, about items not covered in the lectures, and/or about relevant topics you find of interest; and 2) interact with your peers. As such, the way the forums work (and how you get credit for the assessment) is two-fold. Each week you must post one question or critical comment related to the unit material for that week. Your question/comment must be unique and can be derived from something said in lecture, from the required readings, from one of the readings found in the additional bibliography provided for that week, and/or from a relevant article you read on your own. You must also post one response to one of your peers' questions/comments. In other words, you make two postings each week if you want to receive full credit; each post is worth 2 points. You can make more than two posts if you so desire.

Your posts for each week must be submitted by 11pm on the Sunday of that week. You cannot wait until the end of the semester and make multiple posts if you wish to receive credit. Posts made after the 11pm Sunday cut-off each week will not be counted and you will receive no points for them; however, you can work ahead.

Posts are marked based on two considerations: 1) whether or not the question/comment shows that you have interacted with the unit materials (questions that show no engagement with the course materials will receive a zero); 2) whether or not the question/comment was posted on-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.
  • 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 critical analytical forum posts and essay answers on the final exam.

Final Exam

Due: 1/2/16
Weighting: 30%

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 9am (local Sydney time) on 25/1/16 and noon on 1/2/16. You WILL NOT be able to access the exam after 12pm on 1/2/16. If you start your exam after 11am on 1/2/16 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 not 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 critical analytical forum posts and essay answers on the final exam.

Delivery and Resources

This class is offered entirely on-line for external students this session. This includes the tutorials. Internet access that allows the downloading of large video files is necessary to pass this course. Additionally, access to a library and/or article database such as Jstor will be of great benefit. 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. 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, a distinction has been made between modules/segments that are to be viewed as "Lecture" material and those to be viewed as "Tutorial" material.

Unit Schedule

Week Lectures and Tutorials Readings Assignments Due
Week 1 (7/12-11/12) Introduction, Historical Geography, Neolithic Unit Guide; Holladay (33-47); Beitzel (pp.3-9); Rollefson (pp.244-253); Dever (383-390) Quiz 1
Week 2 (14/12-18/12) Chalcolithic; Early, and Middle Bronze Ages Levy (263-273); Richard (286-302); Ilan (331-342); Alpert Nakhai (343-348) Quiz 2
Break Week 1 (21/12-25/12) Break   The only assignment during the break is to watch the lectures and complete the readings listed under "Break Week 2" before Week 3 begins
Break Week 2 (28/12-1/1/16) Late Bronze Age and Iron Age I Leonard (349-356); Ackerman (391-397); Block-Smith and Nakhai 1999  
Week 3 (4/1-8/1) Iron Age IIA; Iron IIB; Iron IIC Younker (375-382); Garfinkel (2011); Matthews (157-163); Keimer 2013 Quiz 3
Week 4 (11/1-15/1) Babylonian; Persian; Hellenistic Periods Carter (398-412); Berlin (418-423) Quiz 4
Week 5 (18/1-22/1) Hasmonean, Early Roman, and Herod to the 1st Revolt Berlin (423-433); Cohen 2011; Schiffman 1998:385-395 Quiz 5
Exam Week (25/1-1/2)     Final Exam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

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

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 critical analytical forum posts and essay answers on the final exam.

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Quiz 2
  • Quiz 3
  • Quiz 4
  • Quiz 5
  • Weekly Forum Posts
  • Final Exam

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.

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Quiz 2
  • Quiz 3
  • Quiz 4
  • Quiz 5
  • Weekly Forum Posts
  • 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.
  • Synthesize acquired knowledge and understanding to produce critical analytical forum posts and essay answers on the final exam.

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Quiz 2
  • Quiz 3
  • Quiz 4
  • Quiz 5
  • Weekly Forum Posts
  • Final Exam

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 critical analytical forum posts and essay answers on the final exam.

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Quiz 2
  • Quiz 3
  • Quiz 4
  • Quiz 5
  • Weekly Forum Posts
  • 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 critical analytical forum posts and essay answers on the final exam.

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Quiz 2
  • Quiz 3
  • Quiz 4
  • Quiz 5
  • Weekly Forum Posts
  • 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.

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Quiz 2
  • Quiz 3
  • Quiz 4
  • Quiz 5
  • Weekly Forum Posts
  • 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 critical analytical forum posts and essay answers on the final exam.

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Quiz 2
  • Quiz 3
  • Quiz 4
  • Quiz 5
  • Weekly Forum Posts
  • 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 outcome

  • Analyse source material, including the archaeological record, ancient sources, and modern scholarship, the critiquing of texts and application of knowledge.

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Quiz 2
  • Quiz 3
  • Quiz 4
  • Quiz 5
  • Weekly Forum Posts
  • 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.

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz 1
  • Quiz 2
  • Quiz 3
  • Quiz 4
  • Quiz 5
  • Weekly Forum Posts
  • Final Exam

Changes from Previous Offering

Forum posts assessment has replaced article review assessment.