Anthropology (ANTH) 320

Overview

Anthropology 320: Ancient Civilizations is designed to provide you with an understanding of the early cities, states, kingdoms, and empires that developed in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas beginning about 5000 years ago.

After completing this course, you should be able to

1. understand the processes involved in the rise of ancient civilizations.
2. comprehend the different trajectories these civilizations took as their complexity increased.
3. outline and explain the factors involved in the decline and eventual collapse of early civilizations.
4. share the lessons found in the past and suggest ways that they may apply to present and future human civilizations.
5. think and write critically.

Outline

• Unit 1: The Study of Civilization
• Unit 2: The First Civilizations
• Unit 3: Great Powers of the Near East
• Unit 4: The Mediterranean World
• Unit 5: Northeast Africa and Asia
• Unit 6: Early States of the Americas
• Unit 7: Epilogue - Prospect and Retrospect

Evaluation

You must complete Quiz #1 and Quiz #2, Assignment #1 and Assignment 2A and 2B, plus the midterm and final exams to receive credit for Anthropology 320. In addition, to receive credit for Anth 320 you must achieve a minimum grade of "D" (50 percent) on both the midterm and final examinations, and a minimum overall grade of "D" (50 percent) for the entire course. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Quiz #1	Assignment 1: Three Short Assays	Midterm Exam	Assignment 2A: Research Paper Outline	Quiz #2	Assignment 2B: Research Paper	Final Exam	Total
5%	15%	20%	10%	5%	25%	20%	100%

The midterm and final examinations for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Video Components

This course includes a number of viewing assignments. For some of these, you will need to borrow resources from the Athabasca University Library, while other videos can be viewed online. If students are unable to watch an assigned video, a reading alternative will be provided.

Other Materials

All other materials needed for this course can be accessed online.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the ANTH 320 challenge registration, you must complete a short essay assignment, a research paper assignment, a midterm exam, and a final exam and receive at least a “D” (50 per cent) on the each of the exams and an overall course grade of "D" (50 per cent). The weightings of each activity are listed below:

Assignment 1 (3 Short Essays)	Assignment 2 (Research Paper)	Midterm Exam	Final Exam	Total
20%	30%	25%	25%	100%

Midterm and final exams are each 3 hours long and written at an invigilation Centre.

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form