Students

AHIS399 – Capstone Unit: Egypt and the Near East

2016 – S2 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer / Unit Convenor
Dr Susanne Binder
Contact via susanne.binder@mq.edu.au / Phone 02 9850 6881
W6A 537
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp including 21cp in AHIS or AHST units
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit will be offered in the form of a research project on a choice of set topics relevant to ancient history: Egypt and the Near East. Students independently collect, assess, analyse and interpret relevant evidence in the light of current historical thinking. In addition to seminar participation (regular discussion, a bibliographical portfolio, a learning journal, and a brief work-in-progress interview and outline), the unit culminates in a mini-thesis of 5000 words in which students demonstrate their intellectual development over the course of their degree program.

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:

  • Consolidation of knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East.
  • Development of sophisticated research skills.
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

General Assessment Information

All the assessment tasks are compulsory components of this unit and must be submitted on time. 

Guidelines on the tasks, assessment criteria (rubrics) and standards for grading each of the assessment tasks (Seminar Forum, Work-in-Progress Report, Digital Portfolio and Publication Project) and indicative examples of assessment tasks  are provided and available on iLearn. Students communicate regularly with each other and the unit convenor online. Students post and contribute each week by the Friday due date to the week's topic in the online Seminar Forum. A staff-student interview in Week 6 / 7 assists students in preparing their Work-in-Progress-Report. By the due dates outlined, students submit the Work-in-Progress Report, the Digital Portfolio and the Publication Project electronically to TURNITIN within the iLearn site for AHIS399.

To successfully complete the unit, students are required to reach a minimum of 50% (Pass) in each of the assessable tasks outlined above (Seminar Forum, Work-in-Progress Report, Digital Portfolio, Publication Project).

Extensions can only be granted in exceptional cases and may only be sought in consultation with the unit convenor and before the assignment is due.

For Disruption of Studies Policy see under Policies and Procedures.

Late assignment policy (Department of Ancient History): Assessment tasks / assignments are compulsory and must be submitted on time. As a general rule, extensions will not be granted without a valid and documented reason (e.g. medical certificate). Late submissions will be penalised by 2% for each day (including weekends) the assignment task is late. 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.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Seminar Forum 20% 5 pm Friday Weeks 2-8
Work-in-progress Report 20% 5 pm Friday Week 8
Digital Portfolio 10% 5 pm Monday Week 12
Publication Project 50% 11 pm Wednesday Week 13

Seminar Forum

Due: 5 pm Friday Weeks 2-8
Weighting: 20%

After reading the texts prescribed for each week, you will prepare your thoughts and post brief responses in the Seminar Forum to the questions set for consideration. You should take the brief outline provided in the introduction to each week and the recommended readings as a starting point only. Ensure that your discussion posts develop further the seminar outline, considering issues which you have encountered personally in your studies at Macquarie. You should exchange ideas with your fellow students, and not feel limited to a single post. The minimum total length of your weekly correspondence is 200 words.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Consolidation of knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East.
  • Development of sophisticated research skills.
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Work-in-progress Report

Due: 5 pm Friday Week 8
Weighting: 20%

Your Work-in-Progress (WIP) Report will consist of:

  • a 100-word abstract of your publication projet topic
  • a 250-word outline of methodological issues relating to your topic
  • a 250-word outline of theoretical issues relating to your topic

To be presented and discussed in a staff-student interview in Week 6/7 (details of schedule on iLearn) and the final version to be submitted electronically in Week 8.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Consolidation of knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East.
  • Development of sophisticated research skills.
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Digital Portfolio

Due: 5 pm Monday Week 12
Weighting: 10%

Seminar Forum responses, Publication Project Forum contributions, bibliographical materials and Learning Journal reflections will be compiled in this DIGITAL PORTFOLIO for showcasing your learning products for the convenor, markers, peers and potential employers.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Publication Project

Due: 11 pm Wednesday Week 13
Weighting: 50%

Your Publication Project is defined by the Department of Ancient History as "the history, art and archaeology of ancient Europe and the Mediterranean world, including Egypt and the Ancient Near East, from prehistoric to late antique times". Your unit convenor welcomes submission of manuscripts on any subject within that definition. The topic and content of your manuscript will conform in all respects to the abstract submitted as part of your Work-in-Progress Report. The manuscript will be no more than 5,000 words in length. Note: Submitted manuscripts will follow the notes for Contributors guidelines provided in the relevant academic journals (e.g. Journal of Egyptian Archaeology or Journal of Near Eastern Studies)


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Consolidation of knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East.
  • Development of sophisticated research skills.
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Delivery and Resources

This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

Delivery of AHIS399

  • Online (Weeks 1-12).
  • Two (2) campus sessions - Week 1 and Week 11
  1. Week 1 - Tuesday August 2, 2016 from 4.00 - 6.00 pm in W6A 107.
  2. Week 11- Tuesday October 25, 2016 from 4,00 - 6.00 pm in W6A 107

Students enrolled in "internal" (Day) mode: the two campus sessions are compulsory. Students enrolled in "external" mode: you may also attend these two above-mentioned campus sessions (recommended if you are in the Sydney metropolitan area). The meeting will be recorded and available on the unit iLearn site.

In preparation for the Work-in-progress Reports (due in Week 8), students will discuss their work in a staff-student interview conducted on campus in Week 6/7 (as per schedule - details available on iLearn). This applies to all the internal/Day students and external students in the Sydney metropolitan area. For external students outside the Sydney metropolitan area, special arrangements will be made.

Required and recommended sources

  • Prescribed texts: eReserve and iLearn site for AHIS 399 (Topics for Discussion in each week).
  • Prescribed unit materials: none.
  • Recommended texts: Ancient History unit guides, bibliographies and lecture/tutorial notes of all the previous units you have undertaken.

In general: times and locations for Lectures and Tutorials: for current updates, lecture times and classrooms please consult the the MQ Timetables website www.timetables.mq.edu.au and/or the Department of Ancient History homepage.

Unit Schedule

Week 1 Introduction to the unit
Week 2 History and historiography
Week 3 Language studies
Week 4 Art, Architecture, Artefacts and Museums
Week 5 Epigraphy and Papyrology
Week 6 Archaeology, Science and Recording Methods
Week 7 Social History
Week 8 Cultural History
Weeks 9-10 Digital Portfolio and Publication Project I
Weeks 11-12 Digital Portfolio and Publication Project II

Learning and Teaching Activities

1. On-campus seminars

Seminar 1: Introduction to the content, tasks and the fellow-learners in this unit. Seminar 2: Reflection on AHIS399 and discussions on career development

2. Online Seminar Forums

Engaging with aims, methods and key themes of thïs Major in Ancient History: Egypt and the Ancient Near East

3. Preparation of the research project

Discussion of research project process; choosing a topic, conducting a literary review, formulating a thesis; finding information; creating, presenting and submitting an outline; organising notes, writing and revising a draft paper; incorporating guidelines for contributors; submitting research project

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

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources 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

  • Development of sophisticated research skills.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Assessment tasks

  • Work-in-progress Report
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Publication Project

Learning and teaching activities

  • Discussion of research project process; choosing a topic, conducting a literary review, formulating a thesis; finding information; creating, presenting and submitting an outline; organising notes, writing and revising a draft paper; incorporating guidelines for contributors; submitting research project

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

  • Consolidation of knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East.
  • Development of sophisticated research skills.
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Assessment tasks

  • Work-in-progress Report
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Publication Project

Learning and teaching activities

  • Seminar 1: Introduction to the content, tasks and the fellow-learners in this unit. Seminar 2: Reflection on AHIS399 and discussions on career development
  • Discussion of research project process; choosing a topic, conducting a literary review, formulating a thesis; finding information; creating, presenting and submitting an outline; organising notes, writing and revising a draft paper; incorporating guidelines for contributors; submitting research project

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

  • Consolidation of knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East.
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Forum
  • Work-in-progress Report
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Publication Project

Learning and teaching activities

  • Seminar 1: Introduction to the content, tasks and the fellow-learners in this unit. Seminar 2: Reflection on AHIS399 and discussions on career development
  • Engaging with aims, methods and key themes of thïs Major in Ancient History: Egypt and the Ancient Near East
  • Discussion of research project process; choosing a topic, conducting a literary review, formulating a thesis; finding information; creating, presenting and submitting an outline; organising notes, writing and revising a draft paper; incorporating guidelines for contributors; submitting research project

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

  • Consolidation of knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East.
  • Development of sophisticated research skills.
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Forum
  • Work-in-progress Report
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Publication Project

Learning and teaching activities

  • Engaging with aims, methods and key themes of thïs Major in Ancient History: Egypt and the Ancient Near East
  • Discussion of research project process; choosing a topic, conducting a literary review, formulating a thesis; finding information; creating, presenting and submitting an outline; organising notes, writing and revising a draft paper; incorporating guidelines for contributors; submitting research project

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

  • Consolidation of knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East.
  • Development of sophisticated research skills.
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Forum
  • Work-in-progress Report
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Publication Project

Learning and teaching activities

  • Engaging with aims, methods and key themes of thïs Major in Ancient History: Egypt and the Ancient Near East
  • Discussion of research project process; choosing a topic, conducting a literary review, formulating a thesis; finding information; creating, presenting and submitting an outline; organising notes, writing and revising a draft paper; incorporating guidelines for contributors; submitting research project

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

  • Development of sophisticated research skills.
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.

Assessment tasks

  • Work-in-progress Report
  • Publication Project

Learning and teaching activities

  • Engaging with aims, methods and key themes of thïs Major in Ancient History: Egypt and the Ancient Near East
  • Discussion of research project process; choosing a topic, conducting a literary review, formulating a thesis; finding information; creating, presenting and submitting an outline; organising notes, writing and revising a draft paper; incorporating guidelines for contributors; submitting research project

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

  • Consolidation of knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental historical developments in Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East.
  • Development of sophisticated research skills.
  • Articulation of approaches to evaluating source material; in particular, to critically use ancient sources and evaluate modern interpretations of these sources to an advanced level.
  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Forum
  • Work-in-progress Report
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Publication Project

Learning and teaching activities

  • Seminar 1: Introduction to the content, tasks and the fellow-learners in this unit. Seminar 2: Reflection on AHIS399 and discussions on career development
  • Engaging with aims, methods and key themes of thïs Major in Ancient History: Egypt and the Ancient Near East
  • Discussion of research project process; choosing a topic, conducting a literary review, formulating a thesis; finding information; creating, presenting and submitting an outline; organising notes, writing and revising a draft paper; incorporating guidelines for contributors; submitting research project

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

  • Formulation of arguments and articulation of ideas to an advanced level.
  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Forum
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Publication Project

Learning and teaching activities

  • Seminar 1: Introduction to the content, tasks and the fellow-learners in this unit. Seminar 2: Reflection on AHIS399 and discussions on career development
  • Discussion of research project process; choosing a topic, conducting a literary review, formulating a thesis; finding information; creating, presenting and submitting an outline; organising notes, writing and revising a draft paper; incorporating guidelines for contributors; submitting research project

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

  • Appreciation of the larger issues that engage historians of Egypt and/or the Ancient Near East and of the learning experiencees encountered in the Ancient History Major.

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Forum
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Publication Project

Learning and teaching activities

  • Seminar 1: Introduction to the content, tasks and the fellow-learners in this unit. Seminar 2: Reflection on AHIS399 and discussions on career development
  • Discussion of research project process; choosing a topic, conducting a literary review, formulating a thesis; finding information; creating, presenting and submitting an outline; organising notes, writing and revising a draft paper; incorporating guidelines for contributors; submitting research project