arc3aia australian archaeology
AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS ARCHAEOLOGY
ARC3AIA
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject, students take a journey through 40,000 years of Indigenous settlement in Australia. A series of major themes, including the first settlement of different parts of the continent, interactions with and adaptations to varied and changing environments, technological choices and patterns of economy and land use will be addressed. Particular case studies will be used to focus on evaluating the available archaeological and ethnohistorical information and the way it has been used to provide insights into past ways of life.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorRichard Cosgrove
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Students must have completed at least 60 credit points (including ARC2DIG) or obtain the subject coordinators permission
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ARC2AIA
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions This is a core subject at third-year level for Archaeology major in the ABA.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Archaeology of ancient Australia, | Prescribed | Hiscock, P. | ROUTLEDGE 2008 |
| Readings | Prehistory of Australia, | Recommended | Mulvaney, J. & Kamming, J. | ALLEN AND UNWIN 1999 |
| Readings | The Archaeology of Australia's Deserts | Recommended | Smith, M. | Cambridge University Press |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Building strong team communication and effective interaction between individuals while assessing various archaeological data sets
- Activities:
- Presentation by individuals of the results of group/team discussions after the analysis of Indigenous material culture. One 1000-word equivalent A3 poster assignment 20%
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,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(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Demonstrate knowledge of the cultural values, awareness and sensitivities towards Indigenous Australians and their archaeological materials across the continent. Appreciate and be sensitive to cross-cultural protocols and language and be able to deal with unfamiliar situations
- Activities:
- Exposure through discussion and debate in role play, particularly in the areas of ownership of the past and its interpretation
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
03. Identify differences between types of Aboriginal archaeological materials and access the variability within and between them
- Activities:
- Choose an Australian archaeological sites and identify the various archaeological components in layers including chronology, taphonomy, and write an interpretation of the evidence. One 1000-word equivalent A3 poster assignment 20%
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
04. Interpret temporal and spatial changes in cultural material from a variety of site types
- Activities:
- Workshop analysis of lithic artefacts and organic remains from a range of archaeological contexts and sites. Submit three PeerWise multiple choice questions 15%
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
05. Use archaeological materials such as faunal remains & stone artefacts to develop quantitive literacy
- Activities:
- Laboratory exercises on the identification of animal bones and categories of stone artefacts. One 1000-word equivalent A3 poster assignment 20%
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
06. Write a report using the Harvard referencing system linked to the oral presentation
- Activities:
- One 2500-word essay 45%
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorRichard Cosgrove
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-hour examination (1,000-word equivalent) | 35 | 02, 03 | |
| 2,000-word essay | 35 | 06 | |
| 800-word equivalent A3 poster assignment | 20 | 01, 03, 05 | |
| Submit three PeerWise multiple choice questions (500 words equivalent) | 10 | 04 |