ATS1248 · Introducing archaeology and ancient history 2

Overview

This unit examines how archaeological and historical evidence can be used to study territorial and cultural expansion in the past. The focus is on the development of the first empires in the Mediterranean as well as the spread of settlements in Australia and the Pacific. You will explore how archaeological remains and historical texts can be used to study the movement of people and ideas and learn to identify the tactics states use to expand and strengthen their power. In the Mediterranean context, you will examine the military ideology of the Assyrians, the internationalism of the Persians, the maritime control of classical Athens, the sweeping conquests of Alexander of Macedon, the hybrid culture of Hellenistic states, and the economic-military power of Rome. In the Australian context, you will examine the gradual process of migration and trade that saw the spread of diverse people and complex cultures over a vast distance. Hands-on tutorials will let you explore the archaeological and historical methods used to reconstruct complex societies in the past, and discussion of readings will relate these findings to issues of cultural heritage in the present.

Areas of study: Archaeology and ancient history

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. identify and characterise the range of archaeological material available for the reconstruction of complex societies and empires;
2. explain the advantages and limitations of the different methods employed in reconstructing societies in the past;
3. apply skills to interpret communities in the past and relate them to present issues in Cultural Heritage;
4. identify and describe the different tactics used by societies studied in this unit to incorporate, influence, or appropriate the territory and culture of surrounding regions;
5. critically appraise arguments about past communities through the analysis of archaeological and historical evidence.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.