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Units indexed by faculty School of Historical StudiesDisciplinesArchaeology and ancient history * Administration of this interdisciplinary program resides in the School of Historical Studies. Home pagewww.arts.monash.edu.au/schools/hgs InquiriesRoom W604, West Wing, Menzies building, Clayton campus Telephone+61 3 9905 2172 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. The school also offers a first-year sequence and later-year units in the cross-disciplinary international studies program. As well as providing knowledge of specific disciplines and fields, units 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. Centre for Archaeology and Ancient HistoryArchaeology and ancient history is the study and reconstruction of past societies and their evolution. It deals with every aspect of ancient life based upon all surviving data. Within an historical framework, material culture - art, architecture, ceramics, objects of daily use - is considered along with social structure, religious beliefs and cultural philosophy. All categories of written evidence are utilised extensively. The development of the ancient Mediterranean is studied both in a broad context and in relation to specific cultural groups, over an extensive timeframe and in great detail for major events and achievements, and even personalities. At Monash, there is a focus upon the study of complex societies, from the first urban communities to the Age of Empires. We deal primarily with ancient Egypt over a 5000-year timespan, Minoan Crete, Mycenaean and Classical Greece, the Hellenistic and Roman worlds, and Ancient Israel. But the Assyrians, Babylonians, Hittites, Persians and Etruscans are all encountered, as are early city states in the Near East. The interaction between these cultures is emphasised and their contribution to the contemporary world examined. Archaeology, anthropology, classical studies and history are ideal combinations, and since archaeology plays a major role in the reconstruction of all but the most recent past, it can be a valuable complement to all 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. For information on the units required for a major or minor in archaeology and ancient history, refer to the ‘Areas of study’ section on the Arts faculty website at www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/study-areas/. 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 director. Enrolment adviceDr Colin Hope Dr Gillian Bowen Ms Liisa Williams HistoryHistory is a discipline that looks back at the past and tries to understand where we - as individuals, societies and national groups - have come from. In part, therefore, history may be said to be the study and representation of past events, lives, places, ideas and institutions. This means history is full of fascinating and exciting stories that connect and resonate with - but also counterpoint - our own. But history also looks to the past for understandings about the origin of things. How did the notion of democracy arise? Why do most of us live in cities? When was the expression ‘teenager’ first used? Why are India and Pakistan implacable antagonists? What made the United States the most powerful country in the world? Investigating the past, we learn more about ourselves. For information on the units required for a major or minor in history, refer to the ‘Areas of study’ section on the Arts faculty website at www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/study-areas/. Enrolment adviceLiisa Williams Professor Barbara Caine Dr Peter Howard International studiesInternational studies is a cross-disciplinary major which begins by examining the history of the 20th century before moving on to study the issues facing the world as it moves into the 21st century. International studies brings to life the issues and events that have shaped, and continue to shape, our world. As the world globalises and nations and economies become more integrated, it is important to understand our world and the ideas and beliefs of our neighbours and trading partners. In order to compete in the international marketplace of products, ideas and knowledge, we need to understand and respect the cultures and beliefs of others. International studies is administered by the School of Historical Studies, but units are taught by a number of schools in the Faculty of Arts. For information on the units required for a major or minor in international studies, refer to the ‘Areas of study’ section on the Arts faculty website at www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/study-areas/. Enrolment adviceDr Seamus O’Hanlon Liisa Williams Australian Centre for the Study of Jewish CivilisationUnits offered within the Centre for the Study of Jewish Civilisation encompass a number of diverse disciplines and areas of study which reflect the very nature of Jewish civilisation itself. Accordingly, a primary objective of this centre is to equip students with an understanding of Jewish civilisation in its many aspects - language and literature, history, theology, philosophy, law, politics and sociology. Students do not necessarily have to choose JWC units to make up a minor or major sequence in Jewish civilisation. Units coded with a JWC prefix encompass studies in language and literature (both Hebrew and Yiddish), Jewish law and Jewish ethics and philosophy, as well as studies in Jewish religion and theology. Students can also pursue a wide range of studies that relate to the Jewish historical experience - ancient, medieval and modern. Relevant units of study are coded with an HSY prefix. In addition, at second and third-year levels, students can include an archaeology (ARY) unit dealing with Israel and the ancient Near East, as well as a religion and theology (RLT) unit which focuses on a comparative study of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. For information on the units required for a major or minor in Jewish civilisation, refer to the ‘Areas of study’ section on the Arts faculty website at www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/study-areas/. Upon completion of an arts degree, students can undertake an honours program in Jewish civilisation, subject to their meeting the normal entry requirements for admission into a BA(Hons) course. Enrolment adviceMr Paul Forgasz Professor Andrew Markus Centre for Studies in Religion and TheologyAll human cultures reflect on the meaning of life through myth, symbol and abstract reflection. Studying the religions and theologies of different cultures, within a variety of historical contexts, is both an important intellectual exercise and a fascinating process that provokes many questions about the past, the present and the future. The Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology enables students to complete a major or a minor sequence in religious studies and/or Christian theology. The centre also encourages students to consider enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Theology. This involves applying both to Monash and to one of the affiliated teaching institutions of the Melbourne College of Divinity for the Bachelor of Theology (for more details, see the Arts/Theology entry earlier in this section). Students do not necessarily have to choose an RLT unit at first year to make up a minor or major sequence in religion and theology. At first year, they can study Jewish civilisation or units in any other first-year discipline, such as history, philosophy and English etc. Second or third-year sequences in religion and theology can be created in a variety of ways. One sequence can be built around the study of Judaism, Christianity and Islam (RLT2470/3470) and Eastern religions (RLT2480/3480), another can combine study of contemporary spiritualities and society (SCY2290/3290) with Heresy, persecution, identity (HSY2035/3035). Students can also study units on Christian theology at second or third-year level. It is possible to include within an RLT sequence a variety of other units from within the Arts faculty that relate in one way or another to religion or theology. At honours level, students can study religion and society and/or contemporary hermeneutics as well as engaging on a research project. Individual RLT units can also be taken as part of a sequence in history or in archaeology and ancient history. For information on the units required for a major or minor in religion and theology, refer to the ‘Areas of study’ section on the Arts faculty website at www.arts.monash.edu.au/current/coursework/study-areas/. Enrolment adviceAssociate Professor Constant Mews Relevant coursesFor details, see ‘Outline of undergraduate studies’ earlier in this section.
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