Practical Archaeology

Subject ANCW30023 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Twelve 1.5-hour lectures and eleven 1-hour tutorials across a two week period from 4 February to 15 February 2013
Total Time Commitment:

Total class time commitment is 29 hours.
Prerequisites:

None
Corequisites:

None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

None
Non Allowed Subjects:

None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Andrew Jamieson asj@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject combines traditional classroom teaching and learning with hands-on fieldwork and workshop exercises to enable students to develop a working knowledge of practical archaeology and its methods within the context of modern research and archaeology in Australia and the Old World (the Near east, Mediterranean and Europe). The subject assumes no prior knowledge of archaeology. It will introduce students to some of the main fieldwork, scientific and interpretive methods involved in practical archaeology. Students will use the University's extensive antiquities collection to develop their practical skills and knowledge about how we can record and interpret the past from archaeological data.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

  • gain a good understanding of the principles and methods by which archaeological data are acquired, recorded, analysed and used to restore the past
  • develop a broad knowledge of the range and varied nature of archaeological data, and be able to identify, describe and record various types
  • acquire a range of basic fieldwork techniques, which can be used on archeological projects
Assessment:

Four short exercises of 250 words each, 30% (due throughout the two-week intensive), an assignment of 1000 words, 30% (due 2nd week of intensive) and a report of 2000 words, 40% (due 3 weeks after the end of teaching).

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five working days, no late assessment will be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

Subject readings will be available on line
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

  • be skilled in critical thinking and analysis
  • develop research skills, including archival work
  • possess effective written communication skills
  • have an understanding of social, ethical and cultural context
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Ancient World Studies
Classical Studies and Archaeology
Classical Studies and Archaeology

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