131-125 Great Civilisations A

Formerly available as 131-014. Students who have completed 131-014 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. It is recommended that this subject be taken in conjunction with 131126 Great Civilisations B.

This subject surveys the history and institutions of the Ancient Near East and early Greece (down to the Persian Wars), including Egypt from the beginnings to the 18th dynasty, Sumer in the third millennium, the first empires; the Assyrians and Persians, and Greece down to the Persian wars. Students who complete this subject should be able to place the great civilisations of the Ancient Near East and early Greece (c 3000 BC-480 BC) in context and perspective; have gained basic training in source criticism and essay writing; have some familiarity with fundamental questions in the philosophy of history.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.

Class participation, and written work totalling 4000 words.

A subject reader will be available.