Students

AHIS2250 – Ancient Egypt: Culture and Society

2022 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor & Tutor
Dr Alexandra Woods
Contact via Contact via Dialogue tool on iLearn
Arts Precinct, Level 1, Office B114
Tuesdays in teaching weeks 12:00-12:30pm via Zoom
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above, including AHIS1250
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit studies the long-term developments of ancient Egyptian society and culture from the Predynastic to Late Antique periods (ca. 5000 BCE to 1000 CE). Informed by theory and research paradigms developed in the social and cultural sciences, the unit will identify the processes by which the ancient Egyptian culture was transformed and yet maintained its cultural identity throughout its long history. Topics to be examined include, social organisation, identity and personhood, modes of governance, the social dimensions of ancient Egyptian mortuary practices, the complexity and variability of visual culture and representation, in addition to the use and adaptive re-use of mortuary and cultic landscapes and the reception of ancient Egypt in the memory of the world.

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: Consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental long term social and cultural developments in the study of ancient Egypt.
  • ULO2: Find, analyse and critique primary and secondary sources pertaining to the study of ancient Egyptian culture and society, illustrating sound skills in research, and an ability to present the information in a written and oral format.
  • ULO3: Identify the processes by which the ancient Egyptian culture transformed and yet maintained its cultural identity throughout its long history.
  • ULO4: Apply critical self reflection, acquired knowledge and documentation skills in online written and oral discussion.

General Assessment Information

To pass this unit, you must complete all the assessments and have received an overall mark of at least 50.

MARKING RUBRICS

All assessment tasks will be graded using a rubric, which outlines the criteria and standards for each grade descriptor. Rubrics for each task can be found on the unit's iLearn site. 

RELEASE OF RESULTS

The convenor will aim to return your assignments within 3 weeks of the due date. Results can be viewed via iLearn using the Gradebook tool.

EXAMINATIONS

There is no formal examination in this unit.

FINAL MARKS

Grading decisions for each assessment task will be moderated against the set criteria and standards before task results are released.

PENALTIES

1. Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

  • Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    
  • This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

2. Word Limit Penalty

  • Written assessment tasks submitted that are under or over the word length by more than 10% will be penalised with a 10% penalty (of the total possible mark).

3. Citation and Referencing techniques Penalty

  • Turnitin is a 'text-matching' software which is designed to educate students regarding appropriate citation and referencing techniques. Turnitin is also used to provide MQ with confidence in the academic integrity of students work. 
  • All assessment tasks will be marked according to the MQ Academic Integrity Policy and the schedule of penalties.

EXTENSION REQUESTS

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Quiz 15% No Monday 10am 29/08 05/09 26/09 10/10 17/10 24/10 31/10/2022
Article Review 30% No Sunday of Week 5 at 10pm or 28/08/2022 at 22:00
Short Research Essay 40% No Sunday of Week 9 at 10pm or 09/10/2022 at 22:00
ePortfolio 15% No Sunday of Week 13 at 10pm or 06/11/2022 at 22:00

Online Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Monday 10am 29/08 05/09 26/09 10/10 17/10 24/10 31/10/2022
Weighting: 15%

 

Answer a series of questions on the required weekly readings. Complete the quiz using the iLearn quiz tool.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental long term social and cultural developments in the study of ancient Egypt.
  • Find, analyse and critique primary and secondary sources pertaining to the study of ancient Egyptian culture and society, illustrating sound skills in research, and an ability to present the information in a written and oral format.
  • Identify the processes by which the ancient Egyptian culture transformed and yet maintained its cultural identity throughout its long history.

Article Review

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Sunday of Week 5 at 10pm or 28/08/2022 at 22:00
Weighting: 30%

 

Critique and evaluate ONE (1) article/book chapter from a list of provided readings, according to a set of guided questions available on iLearn. Guidelines and word limit available in iLearn. Submit via Turnitin.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental long term social and cultural developments in the study of ancient Egypt.
  • Find, analyse and critique primary and secondary sources pertaining to the study of ancient Egyptian culture and society, illustrating sound skills in research, and an ability to present the information in a written and oral format.
  • Identify the processes by which the ancient Egyptian culture transformed and yet maintained its cultural identity throughout its long history.

Short Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Sunday of Week 9 at 10pm or 09/10/2022 at 22:00
Weighting: 40%

 

Complete ONE (1) short research essay. The question is available on iLearn. Students will submit a self-evaluation using the marking rubric provided on iLearn. Guidelines and word limit available in iLearn. Submit via Turnitin.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental long term social and cultural developments in the study of ancient Egypt.
  • Find, analyse and critique primary and secondary sources pertaining to the study of ancient Egyptian culture and society, illustrating sound skills in research, and an ability to present the information in a written and oral format.
  • Identify the processes by which the ancient Egyptian culture transformed and yet maintained its cultural identity throughout its long history.

ePortfolio

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Sunday of Week 13 at 10pm or 06/11/2022 at 22:00
Weighting: 15%

 

The ePortfolio will be comprised of 2 elements: 1) Journal of Learning (after each class); 2) Self-Reflection on discussion questions. Guidelines and word limit available in iLearn. Submit via Turnitin.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Consolidate knowledge in relation to the historical processes and fundamental long term social and cultural developments in the study of ancient Egypt.
  • Find, analyse and critique primary and secondary sources pertaining to the study of ancient Egyptian culture and society, illustrating sound skills in research, and an ability to present the information in a written and oral format.
  • Identify the processes by which the ancient Egyptian culture transformed and yet maintained its cultural identity throughout its long history.
  • Apply critical self reflection, acquired knowledge and documentation skills in online written and oral discussion.

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 REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

This unit will be structured following a Flipped classroom model, which describes a reversal of traditional teaching where students gain first exposure to new material outside of class, usually via reading or lecture videos, and then class time is used to do the harder work of assimilating that knowledge through strategies such as problem-solving, discussion or debates. The unit will be taught via a blended delivery of content and instruction using a multi-media approach such as video lectures, 3D digital artefacts and visualisations. The learning materials will be a combination of pre-recorded lectures produced by Macquarie University academic staff as well as links to a variety of new media, such as audio recordings/podcasts, blogs, think pieces, and/or social media posts created by local and international scholars. Through such approaches you will develop transferrable skills and analytical capacities that can be applied across various professional and academic settings. 

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

iLearn will play a pivotal role throughout the session and will be your central hub for information and instructions. Each week will be structured as follows:

♦  BEFORE DISCUSSION | Building Knowledge, Values & Skills

Step 1 | Preparation 

  • Watch the pre-recorded lecture materials available via iLearn.
    Complete the weekly assigned activities, object analyses and/or readings in preparation for the weekly tutorial discussion (face-to-face or via the online discussion forum). 
  • In specific weeks, complete an online quiz based on the required readings and prepare for the tutorial discussion.

♦  DURING DISCUSSION | Applying Knowledge, Values & Skills

Step 2 | Engage with your peers 

  • Lead/participate in group discussion and participate in the weekly activities in the class tutorial and/or via the online tutorial discussion forum.

♦  AFTER DISCUSSION | Consolidating and Reflecting on Learning

Step 3 | Consolidate your knowledge

  • Write a short reflection on the weekly readings, lecture content and/or tutorial discussion in your learning journal on iLearn.
  • At the end of the week, complete any outstanding tasks for the week and work on upcoming assessment tasks.
  • Engage with a series of optional exercises and extension tasks on iLearn such as adding an item to the unit Glossary.

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS

There are no required textbooks for this unit. All reading materials are provided through Leganto, MQ's reading list management system, and the MQ library.

CONSULTATION HALF HOUR | OPTIONAL

Each week your convenor and tutor will run an optional 30 minute consultation via Zoom to allow you to ask questions about the weekly content, the assessments or advice on resources etc... Everyone is welcome to attend! Click here for a summary of the basics of Zoom from the MQ L&T Blog.

Pre-Configuration: 

  • To access Zoom and set up and meeting, go to https://macquarie.zoom.us/ and enter your OneID and password.
  • Please make sure your Mac or PC is equipped with a microphone and speakers, so that you can use the audio functionality built into the web conferencing software.
  • Please note that it is extremely important that you get your system set up prior to the start of the event. Information on installing the necessary software and configuring your PC or Mac is available at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697-Getting-Started 

Please note that this link is only for Set up. Once you have completed the setup, close down the link and use the link provided on iLearn to access the room.

Unit Schedule

MODULE

WEEK

TOPIC

TUTORIAL DISCUSSION

ASSESSMENT

MODULE 1 | 

Histories of Egyptology

1

Centering the Margins | Interdisciplinary measures & futures for the study of Egypt’s Past

Case Study: The Frontispiece of the Description de l’Égypte

  • Unit guide Online Quiz (non-assessable)

2

Whose Land? Colonialism & Egyptology

Research skills 1 | Teaching & Learning Egyptology on Indigenous Land in Australia

 

3

Whose Land? Heritage, Tourism & Egyptology

Research skills 2 | Historiography in action. What? Why? How?

 

MODULE 2 | 

Other Egypt(s) & Egyptologies  

4

Society, Kinship & Culture | Position & Possessions

Research skills 3 | Historiography in action. Application

 

5

Golden Lands | Cultural Difference, Nubia & Meeting the Other

NO CLASS / TUTORIAL DISCUSSION

Article Review due (Sunday @ 10pm)

6

Community (&) Identity | Conceptions of Self & Personhood

Student Led Discussion

Online Quiz – Week 6

7

The Land that holds (non)beings | Performance, Ritual & the Social Dimension of Death

Student Led Discussion

Online Quiz – Week 7

MID-SESSION BREAK

8

Land Links | Connections to & Perceptions of Spaces, Places & Landscapes

Student Led Discussion

Online Quiz – Week 8

9

NO CLASS / TUTORIAL DISCUSSION

Short Research Essay due (Sunday @ 10pm)

10

Sacred Lands | Meaning-making & Landscape as Archive

Student Led Discussion

Online Quiz – Week 10

11

Symbols, Images & Metaphor | Story Sharing & the (Ancestral) Past as Resource

Student Led Discussion

Online Quiz – Week 11

MODULE 3 |

(Re)creating the Future of Egypt’s Past

12

Narratives of Cultural Dispossession? Curating Egypt's Past in Archives, Museums & the Media

Student Led Discussion

Online Quiz – Week 12

13

Beyond a Deficit Discourse | New “Pathways” in the Construction of Egypt’s past

Student Led Discussion

Online Quiz – Week 13

ePortfolio due (Sunday @ 10pm)

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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Accessibility Statement

This unit is intended for all students, including those with mental or physical disabilities, illness, injuries, impairments, or any other condition that tends to negatively affect one’s equal access to education. If, at any point in the session, you find yourself not able to fully access the space, content, and experience of this course, you are welcome (but not required) to contact me. It is never too late to request accommodations -- our bodies and circumstances are diverse and continuously changing. 

For students with accessibility requirements, I encourage you to contact Accessibility Services to ensure that we, as an institution, are supporting your learning. By making a plan through Accessibility Services, you can ensure accommodation without disclosing any information to your course convenors.

There are also a range of resources on campus that serve to support and improve student learning and wellbeing, including the Learning Skills UnitPeer Support programs, resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studentsEnglish Language support, and Student Wellbeing support and resources. Please reach out to these programs or contact me directly for further information. 

Please know I am here to support you as best I can, in this unit and beyond, and your success in this unit is very important to me. I would like to see us all working together, supporting each other and ultimately recognise and acknowledge the challenging circumstances we all find ourselves in. 

Acknowledgement of Country

As convenor, I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land upon which Macquarie University is situated, the Wallumattagal people of the Dharug nation, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. I would also like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of of the land upon which I live, learn and will teach parts of this unit from, the Wangal people of the Eora Nation (Inner West, Sydney). I further extend my respects to Elders past, present and emerging; as well as to all First Nations peoples enrolled in this unit.

I would like to acknowledge and advise that the content of AHIS2250 and AHIX2250 may contain voices, images, and references to Indigenous People who have since passed over.


Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook