Practical Archaeology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

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/

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.

Note: The tutorials are organised according to four ‘blocks’ (each approx. 3 hours duration): surveying; fieldwork; artefact analysis; and study of standing monuments (hurdle requirement: students must attend 75% or at least three of the four tutorial blocks).

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the main skills and methods involved in practical archaeology;
• apply appropriate critical research skills, analytical methodologies and interpretative techniques (including archaeological surveying, excavation, artefact analysis and recording) involved in practical archaeology;
• identify and engage critically with key sources, skills and methods involved in practical archaeology;
• identify and engage critically with scholarship in the field of practical archaeology;
• approach all sources, skills and methods involved in practical archaeology with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values;
• work effectively, in groups and independently, to identify, discuss and critically analyse key issues practical archaeology;
• communicate skills, methods and interpretations involved in practical archaeology effectively, both orally and in writing.

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 (at least three of the four tutorial blocks) 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.

Subject readings will be available on line

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science

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.