Key facts
UNE unit code: ARPA311
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
The transition from mobile hunting and gathering societies to sedentary farming communities is one of the most significant changes in human history, radically altering social structures, demography, economy, and ultimately our planet.
In this unit, you will explore the origins of the first farming communities in the ancient Near East—the first farming communities in the world—and consider how and why people became sedentary. You will also examine the origins and development of plant and animal domestication, and the changes in human society that accompanied these developments.
The unit will focus on the archaeological record of these societies in transition and consider the ways we can describe and comprehend a ‘revolution’ that took place over millennia. It also provides the opportunity to develop your research and writing expertise as well as your critical thinking skills.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- describe in broad and comparative terms the archaeology of the ancient Near East across the transition from hunting and gathering to food production and concurrent demographic, social, political and technological changes;
- understand and critically engage with competing explanatory mechanisms that have been applied to understand the development of Near Eastern societies in the early to mid-Holocene;
- comprehend the geographical and chronological variability of human societies and their adaptations at this time in the ancient Near East;
- review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge about the Epi-Palaeolithic and Neolithic Near East from archaeological sources; and
- demonstrate well-developed research and writing skills in the planning and execution of unit assessments.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 25% | All offerings | Research data collection No. Words: 1000 |
| Assessment 2 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Research Essay No. Words: 3000 |
| Quiz 1: Online Quiz | No | 10% | All offerings | No. Words: 500 |
| Quiz 2: Online Quiz | No | 15% | All offerings | No. Words: 500 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
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