arc1wor world archaeology
WORLD ARCHAEOLOGY: FROM AUSTRALOPITHECUS TO THE ANTHROPOCENE
ARC1WOR
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
From our earliest ancestors in Africa, humans have spread across the globe and transitioned from foragers and hunter-gatherers to complex agricultural societies - domesticating crops and animals and changing their environments as they did so, as well as harnessing complex technologies such as stone tool production, ceramics and metallurgy, and creating symbolism, art, religion, language and literature.Leading ultimately to our diverse and dense contemporary urban societies.We understand these changes by interpreting the archaeological evidence. By using examples from different periods and geographic locations students will be introduced to the world of archaeology and in turn the archaeology of the world. Students will learn about the wide range of methods and theoretical approaches modern day archaeologists employ to understand ancient cultures and how and why these past societies changed, thrived or perished.Each week a case study will focus on a different period, location and methodological specialism to enable students to explore the ancient world and learn about how archaeologists take the physical remains of past societies and interpret them.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorColin Smith
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
PrerequisitesN/A
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | The Human Past | Recommended | Edited by Chris Scarre, 2018 (4th Ed) | Thames & Hudson |
| Readings | Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice | Recommended | Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn, 2016 (7th Ed) | Thames & Hudson |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Analyse written resources and be able to rephrase and summarise them, as part of research for an essay
- Activities:
- Tutorials, assessed in the annotated bibliography
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Critically evaluate resources concerning an aspect of world archaeology, in order to compose a short essay.
- Activities:
- Tutorials, assessed in the essay.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Evaluate their own work and that of others in a critical and respectful fashion
- Activities:
- Tutorials, assessed in the annotated bibliography (peer marking) and reflection in the essay.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
04. Demonstrate an understanding of archaeological theory, methods and concepts and the scope of the archaeological record.
- Activities:
- Lectures, tutorials, assessed in the exam and tutorial exercises
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Appraise and interpret archaeological evidence during tutorials to explore how we infer past events from material remains.
- Activities:
- Lectures, tutorials, assessed in the exam and tutorial exercises
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorColin Smith
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.5 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 0.5 hours unscheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annotated Bibliography (700 words) | Students will peer mark the bibliography in tutorial. These results will be moderated by the tutor. | 20 | 01, 03 |
| Essay and reflective section (800 words) | Building from their annotated bibliography students will write an essay based on their research and a reflective paragraph on how this has improved from the un-researched essay written in a previous tutorial. | 20 | 02, 03 |
| 8 Tutorial exercises (equivalent to 2000 words) set on weekly topics. | 40 | 04, 05 | |
| Final exam (equivalent to 800 words) | Summative on-line multiple choice/short answer exam. | 20 | 04, 05 |