Archaeology of Visual Culture in Egypt & Western Asia
UndergraduateMAQ-ARCX33022027
Course information for 2027 intake
Visual culture offers evidence about identity, belief and power in ancient societies. Analyse temples, tombs, seals and other material from Egypt and Western Asia. Interpret what their imagery reveals.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 14 Feb 2027
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 22 Feb 2027
- Price from
- $2,355
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Archaeology of Visual Culture in Egypt & Western Asia
About this subject
On successful completion, a student will be able to
- Outline the status and purpose of ancient art in the context of history, religion, politics and changes in social and cultural dynamics in the societies of ancient Egypt and the Near East.
- Evaluate the main methods of analysing and interpreting ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern art from antiquity to present day.
- Outline the methodological and ethical issues associated with the study of ancient art.
- Describe, compare and analyse an ancient artefact and apply terminology, a method and methodological approach appropriate to art historical examination.
- Find, analyse and critique primary and secondary sources pertaining to the study of ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern visual culture, illustrating sound skills in research, and an ability to present the information in a written and oral format.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials
Step into the visual worlds of ancient Egypt and the Near East in this dynamic introduction to the theory and practice of ancient art. Through hands-on practice and visual inquiry, you’ll develop foundational skills in artistic analysis and explore the lasting impact of ancient aesthetics on the modern imagination. From towering temples and tombs to intricate cylinder seals and goldwork, this unit explores how art was made, used, and understood in ancient societies outside the Western canon. You’ll examine the meanings behind monumental architecture, sculpture, ceramics, and literary imagery, while questioning what “art” meant in these cultures—and what it means to study it today. Alongside artefact analysis, you’ll engage with contemporary debates around interpretation, ethics, and colonial legacies in art history.
- Skills workbook (30%)
- Artefact assessment and analysis (40%)
- A presentation based on the artefact assessment and analysis. (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
one of
Others
Pre-requisite: 120 cp at 1000 level or above
NCCW (2020 and onwards)
ARCH3302 Archaeology of Visual Culture in Egypt & Western Asia
or
AHIS2251 Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Art: Theory and Practice
or
AHIX2251 Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Art: Theory and Practice
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-HIS-DEG
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