Students

AHIS399 – Capstone Unit: Egypt and the Near East

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Linda Evans
Contact via email or telephone (9850-8802)
Hearing Hub, Level 2
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp at 100 level or above including (21cp in AHIS or AHST units including (6cps in AHIS or AHST units at 300 level))
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 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 for 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) are available on iLearn. Students also communicate regularly with one another and the unit convenor online.

Students in AHIS399 must post and contribute each week to the online Seminar Forum (due Weeks 2-8). A staff-student interview will take place in Week 7 to assist students in preparing their Work-in-Progress Report. Students will then submit their Work-in-Progress Report (due Week 8), Digital Portfolio (due Week 11) and their Publication Project (due Week 12) electronically via Turnitin on the iLearn site for AHIS399.

Students must receive a minimum of 50% overall to complete AHIS399 satisfactorily.

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 late assignments will be accepted after assignments have been corrected and feedback has been returned.

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

 

 

 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Seminar Forum 20% No midnight Friday, Weeks 2-8
Work-in-Progress Report 20% No midnight Friday, Week 8
Digital Portfolio 10% No midnight Friday, Week 11
Publication Project 50% No midnight Friday, Week 12

Seminar Forum

Due: midnight Friday, Weeks 2-8
Weighting: 20%

After reading at least 3 of the suggested 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 that 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 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: midnight Friday, Week 8
Weighting: 20%

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

  • a 100-word abstract of your publication project 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 7 (details of the schedule will be provided 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 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: midnight Friday, Week 11
Weighting: 10%

During the session, you will compile a personal Digital Portfolio to showcase your academic skills and development for the convenor, markers, your peers, and your potential employers.

Your portfolio will consist of a selection of documents derived from exercises that you will complete during the unit. These exercises are as follows:

  • The Seminar Forum

Representative posts that you have made to the Seminar Forum (see Assessment 1),

  • A Publication Project Forum

Each week, you will reflect upon your progress while undertaking your Publication Project. You will post your thoughts at each stage of your project on a Publication Project Forum on iLearn, which you will access via links in each week.

  • Reflective Exercises

During the session, you will also have the opportunity to complete two self-reflective exercises (in Week 5 and Week 9) to help you to identify your skills and career strengths. You will also build upon these exercises during your second on-campus session in Week 11.


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: midnight Friday, Week 12
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 3,000 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 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 is available on iLearn. 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:
  1. Week 1: Tuesday, August 1, 2017 from 2.00 - 4.00 pm in X5B, Museum of Ancient Cultures seminar room.
  2. Week 11: Tuesday, October 24, 2017 from 2.00 - 4.00 pm in X5B, Museum of Ancient Cultures seminar room.

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 Report (due in Week 8), students will discuss their research project during an interview with a member of staff, which will be conducted on campus in Week 7 (as per schedule - details available on iLearn). This applies to all the internal students and external students in the Sydney metropolitan area. For external students outside of Sydney, special arrangements will be made.

Required and recommended sources

  • Prescribed texts: eReserve and iLearn site for AHIS 399 (topics for discussion in each week).
  • Recommended texts: Ancient History unit guides, bibliographies and lecture/tutorial notes of all the previous units you have undertaken.

Unit Schedule

Week 1
  • Introduction to the unit
  • On-campus session
Week 2
  • History and Historiography
Week 3
  • Language Studies
Week 4
  • Art, Architecture, and Artefacts
Week 5
  • Epigraphy and Papyrology
Week 6
  • Archaeological Practice and Ethics
Week 7
  • Social History
  • Work-in-Progress interviews
Week 8
  • Cultural History
  • Work-in-Progress report due
Week 9
  • Digital Portfolio and Publication Project I
Week 10
  • Digital Portfolio and Publication Project I
Week 11
  • Digital Portfolio and Publication Project II
  • Digital Portfolio due
  • On-campus session
Week 12
  • Digital Portfolio and Publication Project II
  • Publication Project due
Week 13
  • Final thoughts

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 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

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

Changes from Previous Offering

The assessment requirements for AHIS399 have changed since S2, 2016.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
17/07/2017 The requirements for passing the unit have been re-worded.