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Introduction to AHIS3001 Material Culture and Museum Studies

The AHIS3001 unit is an advanced level study of material culture and museum studies, focusing on the ancient world. This unit explores various categories of material, including metals, stones, clay, animal and plant-based fibers, timber, and ivory, as well as genres of materials production such as architecture, ceramics, sculpture, weaponry, and equestrian equipment.

General Information

• Unit convenor and teaching staff: Kenneth Sheedy, Javier Alvarez-Mon, Chaya Kasif, Richard Bott, Genevieve Le Ban
• Credit points: 10
• Prerequisites: 130cp at 1000 level or above or (20cp in AHIS or AHST units at 2000 level)
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged status: None
• Unit description: An advanced level study of some of the most common categories of material in the ancient world, including metals, stones, clay, animal and plant-based fibers, timber, and ivory, and various genres of materials production such as architecture, ceramics, sculpture, weaponry, and equestrian equipment, with particular emphasis on technology, manufacture, function, style, iconography, chronology, and spatial distribution.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Understand ancient materials and the cultural contexts in which they were used
• Evaluate methodological and ethical issues associated with the role of Museums in the collection and exhibition of artifacts
• Acquire skills necessary for research analysis and interpretations
• Deliver a power point oral presentation paper and communicate effectively with teaching staff and peers through class presentation

Assessment Information

• Late Assessment Submission Penalty: A 5% penalty will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day
• Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11:55 pm
• A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue

Assessment Tasks

• Research Essay: 35% weighting, due on Monday, 3/11/2025
• Media Presentation: 35% weighting, due on Monday, 15/9/2025
• Quiz: 30% weighting, due on Sundays for weeks 2-8, 9-11

Research Essay

• Assessment Type: Essay
• Indicative Time on Task: 35 hours
• Weighting: 35%
• Description: A long essay (2000 words) on a selected topic

Media Presentation

• Assessment Type: Media presentation
• Indicative Time on Task: 16 hours
• Weighting: 35%
• Description: Students prepare a video on a selected topic for a 'mini-conference' presentation

Quiz

• Assessment Type: Quiz/Test
• Indicative Time on Task: 12 hours
• Weighting: 30%
• Description: A quiz on weekly lectures and set readings

Delivery and Resources

• All lectures are recorded
• Students are expected to attend all tutorials unless they are external students
• External students must contribute to a weekly forum

Unit Schedule

• Please see the ilearn site for details of the lectures and tutorials

Policies and Procedures

• Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central
• Students should be aware of the following policies:
  • Academic Appeals Policy
  • Academic Integrity Policy
  • Academic Progression Policy
  • Assessment Policy
  • Fitness to Practice Procedure
  • Assessment Procedure
  • Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
  • Special Consideration Policy

Changes since First Published

• Date: 11/09/2025
• Description: Markers added to staff list