Availability: Available to external students every year. This unit does not have a Residential School.

Coordinators: Dr W. Beck

Online level: 2

Objectives: Students who successfully complete this unit should

• Understand the philosophical reasons for protecting, preserving and conserving archaeological remains;
• Be able to communicate the importance of this to others;
• Understand some of the dilemmas and contradictions inherent in the conservation of archaeological remains and understand that not all remains may be conserved
• Understand the general mechanisms for doing this within a general legislative framework;
• Appreciate that mediation is often required to execute this work.
• Demonstrate high level skills in research writing.
  

Content: This unit is an introduction to archaeology in the public sphere. It discusses public perceptions of archaeology, how pasts are created and used, the philosophy of the technical and ethical problems of conserving archaeological remains and archaeology as a profession. Students in ABAR 455 will be able to focus on a research area of interest and will be assessed by research project and assignment.

Assessment:

• 300 level; Debate Assignment 60% Bulletin board participation and exercises 40%.
• 400 level; Research project 60%, Bulletin board and exercise 40%.
  

Prescribed Books:
Pearson, M. and S. Sullivan 1995 Looking after heritage places: the basics of heritage planning for managers, landowners and administrators. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne.