Students
AHIX3241 – Dialogue of Cultures: Ancient Egypt and the Near East
2021 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Javier Alvarez-Mon
Peter Edwell
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit offers and advanced study of cultural dialogue between ancient societies, 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, assimilation, rejection, and superiority. Problems to be addressed may concern, among many, cultural borrowing, funerary traditions, gift-giving, tribute, plundering, arts and coinage, trade, and dress. |
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:
- ULO1: Apply notions of cultural identity, acculturation, assimilation, rejection, and superiority amongst peoples and cultures of Egypt and the ancient Near East.
- ULO2: Understand and critically evaluate methodological approaches to the study of cultural dialogue in antiquity.
- ULO3: Acquire skills necessary for the analysis and interpretation of social and political identity in the ancient world.
- ULO4: Conduct independent research, synthesize acquired knowledge, and effectively plan, organize and prioritize work.
- ULO5: Communicate effectively with teaching staff and peers.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly Readings | 20% | No | Weekly Quiz in iLearn (weeks 2-12) |
| Long Research Essay | 50% | No | Week 13 (Sunday midnight) |
| Short Essay (Literature Review) | 20% | No | Week 7 (Sunday midnight) |
| Class discussion | 10% | No | Weekly Quiz in iLearn (weeks 2-12) |
Weekly Readings
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Weekly Quiz in iLearn (weeks 2-12)
Weighting: 20%
Summaries of Weekly Readings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply notions of cultural identity, acculturation, assimilation, rejection, and superiority amongst peoples and cultures of Egypt and the ancient Near East.
- Understand and critically evaluate methodological approaches to the study of cultural dialogue in antiquity.
- Conduct independent research, synthesize acquired knowledge, and effectively plan, organize and prioritize work.
Long Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 70 hours
Due: Week 13 (Sunday midnight)
Weighting: 50%
Essay requiring independent research; Length: 3,500 words
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply notions of cultural identity, acculturation, assimilation, rejection, and superiority amongst peoples and cultures of Egypt and the ancient Near East.
- Understand and critically evaluate methodological approaches to the study of cultural dialogue in antiquity.
- Acquire skills necessary for the analysis and interpretation of social and political identity in the ancient world.
- Conduct independent research, synthesize acquired knowledge, and effectively plan, organize and prioritize work.
Short Essay (Literature Review)
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 7 (Sunday midnight)
Weighting: 20%
Essay requiring independent research; Length: 1,000 words;
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply notions of cultural identity, acculturation, assimilation, rejection, and superiority amongst peoples and cultures of Egypt and the ancient Near East.
- Understand and critically evaluate methodological approaches to the study of cultural dialogue in antiquity.
- Acquire skills necessary for the analysis and interpretation of social and political identity in the ancient world.
- Conduct independent research, synthesize acquired knowledge, and effectively plan, organize and prioritize work.
Class discussion
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 11 hours
Due: Weekly Quiz in iLearn (weeks 2-12)
Weighting: 10%
Discussion of reading of the week in tutorials by answering questions pertaining to readings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Acquire skills necessary for the analysis and interpretation of social and political identity in the ancient world.
- Communicate effectively with teaching staff and peers.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
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
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.