1. Reading assignment and online quiz (10%): Students will complete an online quiz assessing their knowledge of the first three chapters of the course textbook, Miller and Hayes, and the lecture materials. The quiz may be taken at any time in the first weeks of semester, but must be completed by Thursday of Week 4.

2. Tutorial Paper (20%) :Students will write a 500-700 word paper, discussing the challenges and benefits involved in using archaeological, literary and historical sources for the exploration and study of Ancient Israel, and the Ancient Near East. The tutorial paper should be based on lecture materials and on the course textbook; these materials may be referenced as required. Students may compare and contrast different approaches, or choose one type of evidence as a focus for their report. A short list of additional (optional) helpful bibliography will be provided on the iLearn website. Assignments must be submitted via the Turnitin link on iLearn, by 11:59PM on the due date, Thursday of Week 9.

The assignment should not exceed 700 words, and should be structured as a mini essay. To clarify, we will be assessing the degree to which you answer the question/s set (within the word limit), your ability to contrast and critically evaluate different approaches to studying Ancient Israel, your ability to build a persuasive argument, and the clarity of your presentation and written expression.

3. Book chapter or article review (20%):

Students are to submit a short (500 word) review of a book chapter or article (10+ pages) which the student intends to use in their course essay. This assignment should be viewed as part of the student's preparation for the final essay.

The review should start with the full bibliographical details of the work under review. It should also

            (i) identify two or three of the most central points in the chapter (or article) chosen; and

            (ii) discuss how far the author has derived them from the ancient sources.

Students might address the following (where relevant and/or appropriate):

What is the purpose of the work? What is the emphasis of the work? Is this consistent throughout the work? What is the author’s perspective or point of view? Is the author impartial, objective or prejudiced? Does the author seem to have an ‘axe to grind’? Does the author achieve any stated purpose to your critical satisfaction? Have questions raised been satisfactorily answered? What is the nature of the material used? How well does the author handle the ancient evidence or other modern scholarship? Is the work well written? Is the work well presented? How accurate is the information given? How successful do you think the work is in terms of the arguments raised?  Does the work have any flaws? If so, what are they? Is the work methodologically sophisticated? Please note that if you use other scholarly reviews to inform your review you need to fully acknowledge these in your references.

Examples of scholarly reviews may be found in academic peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Biblical Literature (JBL), or the Journal of the American Oriental Society (JAOS). The use of supporting bibliographical items from the reading list is permitted but not required, and a rubric will be placed on iLearn.

The paper is due on Thursday of Week 11.

3. Final Course Essay: One essay, counting for 50% of the final mark, is required. It should not exceed 2000 words (10% under the word count is acceptable). IT IS DUE Thursday of Week 13 (at 11:59PM).

Note: Students should always keep a copy of completed tasks in case of loss.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR ESSAY

Essays will be judged for:

- Creativity, depth and originality of the results of the analysis

- Ability to interest the reader in the chosen topic

- Understanding of material

- Clarity of argument (including clear articulation of thesis)

- Critical thinking in the selection of ancient and modern sources, and in engagement with sources

- Range and quality of research

- Judgement

- Presentation of work (such as proof-reading, clear paragraph construction etc)

- Proper citation method and thoroughness of referencing

An essay rubric with grade descriptions will be placed on iLearn

Important: There is no formal examination for this unit.

Grading:

The grade a student receives will signify their overall performance in meeting the learning outcomes of the unit. Grades will not be awarded by reference to the achievement of other students nor allocated to fit a predetermined distribution. In determining a grade, due weight will be given to the learning outcomes and level of the unit. Markers in the unit will use the following grades:

HD = High Distinction 85--100

D = Distinction 75--84

Cr = Credit 65--74

P = Pass 50--64

F = Fail 0--49

Further information and description of grades and assessments can be found in the Macquarie University Policies and Procedures linked below, particularly the Assessment and Grading Policies.

Assignment Submission

ALL written assignments (tutorial paper, review, essay) must be submitted online through the AHIS250 iLearn site.

Return of marked work:

Staff will endeavour to return tutorial papers by the time of the next tutorial though this may not always be possible.

Staff will also endeavour to return essays by the end of session.

Over the course of AHIX250 students' work will be marked by at least two members of staff.

IF ANYTHING IS UNCLEAR, PLEASE ASK!

Lectures: There is one two-hour lecture recorded a week for most weeks of the semester. The importance of regular listening to lectures is that in the lectures we signal the topics we deem significant. It is these topics which will be assessed.

Tutorials: Students will have the opportunity to participate in online discussions. Participation in tutorial discussion is considered a vital and rewarding part of the unit, and should develop the concepts considered in lectures.

Student Workload: In accordance with Senate Guidelines, a student workload of 3 hours per credit point (i.e., 9 hours per week for this 3-credit point unit) for 15 weeks (13 weeks of lectures + 2 weeks of recess) is expected.

Required Reading and Texts:

The set reading texts for the course are:

• J. Maxwell Miller and John H. Hayes, A History of Ancient Israel and Judah (2nd ed.; Louisville/London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006)
• The Bible: The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is preferred due to its more literal approach to translation. You can either purchase a hard copy at a bookshop or access the texts online at http://www.biblegateway.com

In addition to the reading of the set texts, articles and book chapters will be placed in e-reserve or i-Learn and should also be read. The compulsory reading for the course will amount to:

1. Bible: Genesis to 2 Kings (plus a number of other texts as specified);
2. A History of Ancient Israel and Judah; and
3. e-reserve and electronic journal articles.

Technology Used and Required

The unit has an iLearn page which can be accessed at: <https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/>. PC and internet access are therefore required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement. Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.

Satisfactory Completion of Unit

In order to complete the unit satisfactorily students must gain a mark of 50% or more overall.

ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSIONS

ALL written assignments (tutorial paper, essay) will be submitted online through the AHIS250 iLearn site.

EXTENSIONS

Extensions for assignments and waivers for penalties for non-attendance can only be granted for medical reasons or on compassionate grounds.

Without documentation (medical or counselling certificate), a penalty of 2% a day (including weekends) will be applied.

If you need an extension this must be agreed on after discussion with the course convenor, who may ask for documentation. You must apply for an extension before the assignment due date. Extensions asked for after the date will not be granted.

Note: Always retain a copy of completed tasks in case of loss.