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ARPA104 Archaeology: Studying the Human Past

Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Restrictions ARCH100 or ARPA304
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s)
Unit Description

This unit introduces the practice, method and theories, history, and achievements of archaeology. Through lectures and practical sessions it prepares students for the in-depth critical study of the archaeology of any region or time. Topics include the nature and aims of archaeology, the history of the discipline, types of evidence and their recovery, dating, the scope of archaeological enquiry, the place of archaeology in contemporary life, and the ethics of archaeology with respect to the present and the past.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice
ISBN: 9780500290217
Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P., Macmillan 6th ed. 2012
Text refers to: Trimester 1 and 2 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 20% 1000
Assessment Notes
Geography Test
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-6
Online Assessment 1 5%
Assessment Notes
Online Quiz
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-6
Online Assessment 2 5%
Assessment Notes
Online Quiz
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-6
Online Assessment 3 5%
Assessment Notes
Online Quiz
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-6
Online Assessment 4 5%
Assessment Notes
Online Quiz
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-6
Online Assessment 5 10%
Assessment Notes
Online Test
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-6
Online Examination 50%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. identify the diverse sources of evidence used by archaeologists (including excavated, documentary and oral history, representational, observational, artefactual, environmental and other scientific evidence);
  2. demonstrate the basic concepts which underpin the subject (such as stratigraphy and stratigraphic context, temporality and landscape);
  3. explain how archaeological histories are constructed and change from time to time in light of new concepts, theories, methods and discoveries;
  4. describe the range of approaches to analysis of archaeological materials (such as archaeological uses of assemblage, culture and style; approaches to typology, taxonomy and ancient technology);
  5. apply appropriate scholarly, theoretical and scientific principles and concepts to archaeological problems; and
  6. describe the ethical and legal frameworks for research and professional practice in archaeology.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of the archaeology discipline will be taught through lecture notes and essential readings. It will be assessed in all assessments tasks. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will be taught communication skills through written feedback on the assessments and participation component of the unit. Students will learn valuable communication skills through participation in tutorials and online discussions. Students will be assessed on the style of writing, clarity of writing, expression and development of ideas, and referencing. Students will practise their communication skills through completing the assessment tasks. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
The essence of this unit is its global perspective. To complete it even moderately successfully, you will see inevitably that the development of civilization can only be understood when studied in a regional and global context. Civilization is an achievement of humanity, and cannot be attributed to the genius of particular peoples. Rather, it is the result of a set of processes that begin in some circumstances, but not in others. 		True True
4 Information Literacy
Students will be directed to relevant literature and taught how to assess its validity. Students will be assessed on their ability to identify and critically analyse the relevant literature. 		True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Through completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary lifelong skills to be able to research, write and discuss social issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, and will be useful in any research positions. These attributes will be assessed in all of the assessments. 		True True
6 Problem Solving
Students will be assessed on their ability to deconstruct the assignment questions and to integrate theory and literature into their answer. Students will need to work out how to address the questions and where the most appropriate material is to answer the questions. 		True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will be taught about their professional responsibilities as a researcher to provide balanced and accurate research. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'. This will be assessed and taught through their responses to the essay, exam questions and discussions in tutorials or online postings. 		True True
8 Team Work
Students will practise their teamwork skills through participating in tutorials, or online discussion postings. They will be required to discuss the weekly topics with their fellow students in a thoughtful and respectful manner. 		True
   

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