The School of Historical Studies offers units in the disciplines of history, archaeology and ancient history, and religion and theology, and in the fields of Christian theology, Jewish civilisation, comparative religion, medieval and renaissance studies, gender studies, military history, cultural and social history, Aboriginal history, European history and Australian and Asian studies. As well as providing knowledge of specific disciplines and fields, courses taught in the School of Historical Studies offer students the opportunity of developing skills of research and analysis and enhancing their skills in written and oral communication. In particular, tutorials and class projects are designed to give students practical experience of the balance of teamwork, flexibility and independent learning critical to a successful professional career. Some units offered in the school, such as 'Archaeology and archive studies', 'Teaching history', and 'Public history', have a specifically vocational aspect.
Area
coordinator: C A Hope
Archaeology is defined in its broadest sense as the reconstruction of past
societies in every aspect based upon the study of all surviving data.
Consequently, material culture is considered in conjunction with social
structure, religious beliefs and cultural philosophy. Where present,
documentary evidence is stressed.
The cultures examined include those of Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, the Hittites,
Israel, Minoan Crete, Mycenaean and Classical Greece, Persia and Rome. Within
this broad range, there is a focus upon the pre-classical periods and the
cultures of Egypt, Minoan Crete, Mycenaean Greece and ancient Israel.
Archaeological theory and practice are studied and on-site training provided.
Since archaeology plays a major role in the reconstruction of all but the most
recent past, it can be a valuable adjunct to a variety of cultural studies.
No previous study of archaeology and ancient history is required to commence a
major or minor sequence in archaeology and ancient history at Monash. In all
units, attendance at tutorials is compulsory and repeated absence without good
reason may result in the unit being failed. Attendance at lectures is strongly
encouraged, but is not compulsory. While lectures are often audiotaped,
lecturers regularly make use of visual materials.
Honours courses can be undertaken in the archaeology and ancient history of the
Mediterranean. Combined honours may be taken in archaeology and ancient history
and other disciplines (eg history, geography, and anthropology) provided that
all honours requirements have been met in both disciplines and subject to the
approval of the honours coordinators or heads of the relevant schools.
All intending postgraduate students must discuss their proposed research
programs with the section head.
Students seeking advice on their selection of units should obtain an appointment with one of the following staff members by contacting the school office, room 510, telephone (03) 9905 2172.
Students
are advised to follow a sequence of related units, although it is possible to
combine them in other ways. Students may enrol in up to four first-year history
units. All first-year units aim to develop not only a grasp of particular
topics but also an understanding of the methods and aims of the historical
discipline.
No previous study of history is required to commence a major or minor sequence
in history at Monash. In all units, attendance at tutorials is compulsory and
repeated absence without good reason may result in the units being failed.
Attendance at lectures is strongly encouraged, but is not compulsory. While
lectures are often audiotaped, lecturers frequently make use of film and other
visual materials.
The school offers 10 first-year history units, five in each semester. Each unit is valued at six points. All first-year units may be taken without prerequisites. Students may enrol in a suggested pair of units, one in first semester and one in second semester, to form a first-year sequence in history. However, all first-year units may be taken as a pair or independently. Suggested first-year sequences in history are:
or
or
or
or
In addition to the units listed above, students may also take:
Students seeking advice on their selection of units should obtain an appointment with one of the following staff members by contacting the school office, room 510, telephone (03) 9905 2172.
The
Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation offers major and minor sequences in
Hebrew language and literature as well as in Judaic studies.
Students are advised to follow a coherent sequence of related units, although
it is possible to combine them in a variety of ways. Further information and
advice about appropriate combinations and sequences can be sought from the
director or associate director of the centre, telephone (03) 9905 2160.
The director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology is Dr Constant Mews, room 631, Menzies building, Clayton campus, telephone (03) 9905 2185.
Professor G Bouma (Anthropology and Sociology), Professor K Hart (English), Dr C Mews and Dr P Howard (History), Dr K Rigby (Women's Studies) and Dr R Horner (Religion and Theology). For preliminary information about courses at the Melbourne College of Divinity, see Dr R Horner (Religion and Theology).
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