Western Asia and Egypt in Antiquity: An Introduction
UndergraduateMAQ-AHIX12502026
Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Explore the people and cultures that shaped ancient Egypt for thousands of years. Analyse their various challenges through modern eyes. You'll have the opportunity to share your findings through blogs and a critical review.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 15 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $2,245
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Western Asia and Egypt in Antiquity: An Introduction
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
- Acquire knowledge and skills relating to the analysis, evaluation and interpretation of the ancient Egyptian material world in its Near Eastern context across time and geographical regions.
- Synthesise primary and secondary sources to develop clear, specific, evidence-based arguments.
- Compare diverse regional cases to link lessons from the past to solutions for the most urgent issues facing societies today.
- Engage with contemporary debates, cultural perspectives and practices to contextualise historical and archaeological knowledge.
- Create content to communicate acquired knowledge & skills to diverse audiences.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This unit surveys the ancient states of Western Asia and North Africa from the emergence of writing around 3200 BCE to the rise of the Persian Empire c. 500 BCE. Students explore major political, social, and cultural developments in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Hittite Empire, and Persia. Emphasis is placed on interpreting primary sources—cuneiform tablets, hieroglyphic inscriptions, law codes, royal annals, and literature—alongside archaeological evidence. A chronological structure highlights both the distinctiveness of each culture and the interactions between them, including diplomacy, warfare, and trade. Key themes include the development of writing, kingship and empire, religion and politics, economic networks, and the role of geography. Students examine how ancient societies recorded power and memory, and how these records shaped imperial ideologies and cultural exchange. Through source analysis, comparative exercises, and a skills logbook, students build foundational historical knowledge and critical thinking skills, while gaining the tools to interpret ancient sources in context.
- Primary Source Analysis (30%)
- Skills Logbook (30%)
- Analytical Infographic (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 9
Entry requirements
Others
NCCW (2020 and onwards)
AHIS1250 The Archaeology of Egypt and Near East: Applying Lessons from the Past
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
UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.