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Ancient World Studies
Bachelor of ArtsMajorYear: 2020
Ancient World Studies
Contact information
Coordinator
Currently enrolled students:
Future students:
Overview
Ancient World Studies embraces the broad study of Classical Greece and Rome, as well as Egypt and the Near East from 3000 BCE to the 4th century CE. Students can choose a variety of subject streams, which combine the study of ancient languages and/or texts in translation such as myth, literature, history, and philosophy with the study of archaeology, art, and architectural monuments. In addition, students can focus on a particular time period, geographic region, technical specialisation such as myth or ceramics, or thematic area of study. Students will gain insight into and understanding of contemporary society by exploring how ancient cultures have contributed to the development of our modern world, with regard to gender and ethnic identity, warfare, colonialism and imperialism, the propagandistic power of literary and visual imagery, and technology and economy. They will develop skills in research, writing, analysis, and communication that promote career flexibility.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this major, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the literary and material cultures of ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern civilisations, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Greece, and Rome; and
- apply appropriate critical skills and methodologies (including historical, literary, and archaeological) to the research and analysis of ancient histories, cultures and societies; and
- identify and engage critically with primary sources for the interpretation of ancient histories, cultures and societies; and
- identify and engage critically with scholarship in the field of ancient world studies; and
- approach all evidence about ancient histories, cultures and societies with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values; and
- work effectively, in groups and independently, to identify, discuss and critically analyse key issues in the interpretation of ancient histories, cultures and societies; and
- communicate interpretations of ancient texts and artefacts effectively, both orally and in writing.
Last updated: 18 December 2020
Structure
100 credit points
A major in Ancient World Studies comprises eight 12.5-point subjects:
Level 1
25 points / two subjects
- One level 1 Ancient World Studies subject and
- One Arts Foundation subject (this can count towards major credit points for a single major)
- One additional level 1 Ancient World Studies subject (for a double major). See Arts Foundation Structure page for further information.
Level 2
37.5 points / three subjects
- Three level 2 subjects Ancient World Studies subjects
Level 3
37.5 points / three subjects
- Compulsory Capstone subject ANCW30017: Interpreting the Ancient World and
- Two level 3 Ancient World Studies subjects
Total 100 points
Note: Note: Level 1 subjects must be successfully completed before progressing to level 2 subjects; level 2 subjects must be successfully completed before progressing to level 3 subjects. Only students completing a major in Ancient World Studies can enrol in the capstone subject.
Refer to the Bachelor of Arts Handbook page for further information.
A minor in Ancient World Studies consists of six 12.5-point subjects:
Level 1 (25 points)
- One Ancient World Studies subject
- One Arts Foundation subject
Level 2
- 25 points of level 2 subjects
Level 3
- 25 points of level 3 subjects
Total 75 points
The capstone subject is only available to students completing the major.
Subject Options
Level 1 Subjects
One Arts Foundation Subject and one of the following:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANCW10004 | Intensive Syriac Aramaic | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| ANCW10001 | Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW10002 | Myth, Art and Empire: Greece and Rome | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW10006 | Ancient Egyptian 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW10007 | Ancient Egyptian 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW10008 | Intensive Akkadian 1 | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| ANCW10009 | Intensive Akkadian 2 | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
Level 2 Subjects
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANCW20018 | Intensive Syriac Aramaic | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| ANCW20019 | The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW20022 | History of Greece: Homer to Alexander | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW20015 | Classical Mythology |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Winter Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| ANCW20003 | Egypt Under the Pharaohs | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PHIL20040 | Greek Philosophy | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW20026 | The Social History of the Roman World | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| ANCW20023 | Ancient Egyptian 3 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW20024 | Ancient Egyptian 4 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW20025 | Archaeology of the Roman World | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANCW20027 | Archaeology of the Classical Greek World | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
Level 3 Subjects
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANCW30020 | Intensive Syriac Aramaic | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| ANCW30023 | Practical Archaeology | Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW30011 | Underworld and Afterlife | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANCW30004 | Beyond Babylon | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW30016 | The Age of Alexander the Great | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW30021 | Imperial Rome: Mediterranean Superpower | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ANCW30025 | Field Archaeology | Not available in 2020 | 12.5 |
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANCW30026 | Roman Law in Context | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Level 3 Capstone Subject
The capstone subject is compulsory for students completing a major in Ancient World Studies, and is not available to students in the minor or as breadth:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANCW30017 | Interpreting the Ancient World | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Links
http://shaps.unimelb.edu.au/classics-archaeology
Last updated: 18 December 2020