FINAL MARKS

Please note with respect to the marks you receive for work during the session: that the marks

given are indicative only. Final marks will be determined after moderation. See the note

on Results in the Policies and Procedures section below.

PENALTIES

• Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved: (a)

a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for

assignments submitted after the due date;(b) no assignment will be accepted more than

seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline; and (c)

no late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

• Written assessment tasks submitted that are under or over the word length by more than

15% will be penalised with a 10% deduction.

• Written assessment tasks submitted without proper referencing (e.g., no bibliography,

omission of page numbers, etc), will be marked according to the Macquarie University

Plagiarism Policy and the schedule of penalties.

EXTENSIONS AND DISRUPTION TO STUDIES

• Important: The convenors are unable to approve extensions. Extensions can only be

granted by applying for Special Consideration through ask@mq.

• Extensions will only be approved in exceptional cases.

• If you must ask for an extension, please lodge a request for Special Consideration

before the deadline, not on the due date.

EXTENSION REQUEST PROCEDURE

The granting of extensions is subject to the University's Special Consideration Policy: https://staf

f.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/

special-consideration

Disruption to Studies

If you require an extension, you must submit a 'Disruption to Studies' Notification. Please follow

the procedure below:

1. Visit https://ask.mq.edu.au and use your OneID to log in.

2. Select your unit code from the drop down list and fill in your relevant details. Note: A

notification needs to be submitted for each unit you believe is affected by the disruption.

3. Click "Submit form".

4. Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a note/attachment', click 'browse' and navigating

to the files you want to attach, then click 'submit note' to send your notification and supporting documents.

5. Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process.

Please ensure that supporting documentation is included with your request. Notify the

convenors via the iLearn dialogue box if you are submitting a 'Disruption to Studies'

Notification. Your request will be considered once all the documentation has been received. If

you have problems, please contact the convenors via the iLearn dialogue tool immediately.

Unit Description

This unit offers an advanced study of cultural dialogues between ancient civilizations by examining the material and literary records of the ancient Near East and neighboring regions, including Egypt. Western cultural stereotypes and prejudices are investigated, as well as notions of cultural identity, ethnicity, assimilation, rejection, and superiority. Amongst the themes to be addressed are: cultural borrowings, gender, funerary traditions, gift-giving, tribute, plundering, arts, trade, and dress

Learning Outcomes

1. To understand through practical examples notions of cultural identity, acculturation, assimilation, rejection, and superiority amongst peoples and cultures of the ancient Near East and Egypt.

2. To understand and critically evaluate methodological approaches to the study of cultural dialogue in antiquity.

3. To acquire skills necessary for the analysis and interpretation of social and political identity in the ancient world.

4. To develop the skills to conduct independent research, synthesize acquired knowledge, and effectively plan, organize and prioritize work.

5. To communicate effectively with teaching staff and peers.

Theoretical Backgrounds to be Examined  in this Unit

         Black and White: Dialogue of Civilizations or Clash of Civilizations (Whose Civilization?)

         Us and Them: What is Cultural Identity?

         To Be or Not to Be, the mechanics of Culture: Assimilation, Rejection and Superiority

         The Lure of Luxury and Comfort: Cultural Borrowings and Identity

         Similarity and Difference: Ethnicity in Antiquity

         Not for Everyone: To Be of not to Be Divine

         Neither One nor the Other: Gender in Antiquity

         Grain or Sheep: Pastoralists and Farmers

         Single Constant: Migrations, Marriages and Multiculturalism

         Material Wealth and Consumption: Birth of Capitalism?

         "Ethnogenesis" and Acculturation

         Selective Memories: Manufacturing Identities

         Yin and Yang: Dialogue rather than Clash?

         Observing from the Moon: Big History and the End of Differences?

Teaching Structure

2 hours of lectures per week                                                   

1 hour tutorial per week  

Class Readings

There is no textbook for this unit. Required weekly readings are available in iLearn.