Archaeology
The Archaeology Program is a world-renowned centre of research into the archaeological past. Subjects are directed towards providing an understanding of the past, using both archaeological, and other evidence. Emphasis is given to the evolution of modern people and their social and technical developments with a focus on both Australia and other parts of the world. In all subjects, attention is given to the techniques and theories that contribute to the study of archaeology.
A number of subjects outside the discipline are particularly suitable for study in conjunction with archaeology. These subjects may be, but are not normally, credited towards an archaeology major.
Archaeological excavations, in which students are encouraged to participate, are held during the year. Excursions to archaeological sites may also be arranged. They may be compulsory and involve some additional expenditure.
Areas of study
Undergraduate:
Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology Major)
Postgraduate:
Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences (Archaeology)
Master of Archaeology by coursework
Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology Major)
To complete a major in archaeology students must pass:
- ARC1DAR and one 15 credit point subject at first-year level from the list below,
- ARC2AIA and two 15 credit point subject at second-year level from the list below and
- ARC3HAA and three 15 credit point subjects at third year level from the list below.
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Discovering Archaeology | ARC1DAR |
| Second year core subject (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Australian Indigenous Archaeology | ARC2AIA |
| Third year core subject (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-2 | Historical Archaeology in Australia | ARC3HAA |
Subjects Available in 2012
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Discovering Archaeology | ARC1DAR |
| TE-SEM-2 | The Archaeology of Ancient Civilisations | ARC1AAC |
| TE-SEM-2 | Dawn of Humanity | ARC1DOH |
| Second year subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Art and Symbolism of the Ancients | ARC2ASA |
| TE-SEM-1 | Archaeology of Ancient Mexico | ARC2AZT |
| TE-SEM-1 | Archaeology of the Middle East | ARC2AME |
| TE-SEM-1 | Australian Indigenous Archaeology | ARC2AIA |
| TE-SEM-1 | Palaeolithic Archaeology | ARC2PAL |
| TE-SEM-2 | Ancient Technologies | ARC2ANT |
| TE-SEM-2 | Applied Cultural Heritage Management | ARC2ACH |
| TE-SEM-2 | Geographic Information Systems | ARC2GIS |
| TE-SEM-2 | World of the Pharaohs | ARC2EGY |
| Third year subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Art and Symbolism of the Ancients | ARC3ASA |
| TE-SEM-1 | Archaeology of Ancient Mexico | ARC3AZT |
| TE-SEM-1 | Archaeology of the Middle East | ARC3AME |
| TE-SEM-1 | Palaeolithic Archaeology | ARC3PAL |
| TE-SEM-1 | Reading Course A1 | ARC3RCA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Ancient Technologies | ARC3ANT |
| TE-SEM-2 | Applied Cultural Heritage Management | ARC3ACH |
| TE-SEM-2 |
Approaches to Archaeological Research (30 Credit Points) |
ARC3AAR |
| TE-SEM-2 | Geographic Information Systems | ARC3GIS |
| TE-SEM-2 | Historical Archaeology in Australia | ARC3HAA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Reading Course B1 | ARC3RCB |
| TE-SEM-2 | World of the Pharaohs | ARC3EGY |
Key: 1 Approval from subject coordinator is required to enrol into these subjects.
Subjects not available in 2012
| Teaching period | Subject Title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Mapping The World | HUS1MAP |
| TE-SEM-1 | Ancient Maya Civilisation of Mexico and Guatemala | ARC2ANM |
| TE-SEM-1 | African Archaeology | ARC2AFR |
| TE-SEM-1, TE-SEM-2, TE-S | Archaeology Fieldwork1 | ARC3FWK |
| TE-SEM-1 | Archaeology of the Modern World | ARC2AMW |
| TE-SEM-1 | Rise and Fall of Civilisations | ARC2RFC |
| TE-SEM-1 | Archaeology of Indigenous Victoria | ARC2AIV |
| TE-SEM-2 | Ice Age Australia | ARC2ICE |
| TE-SEM-2 | Maya Hieroglyphic Writing | ARC2MHW |
| TE-SEM-2 | The Archaeology of Animals | ARC2ZOO |
| TE-SEM-2 | From Foraging to Farming | ARC2FFF |
| TE-SEM-2 | Archaeology of East Asia | ARC2AEA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Managing Archaeology | ARC2MAN |
| TE-SEM-2 | Emergence of Chinese Civilisation | ARC2ECC |
| TE-SEM-2 | World Writing Systems | ARC2WRS/ARC3WRS |
Compatible subjects from other schools
The following subjects are particularly suitable for study in conjunction with archaeology; they are not normally credited towards an archaeology major.
| Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|
| First year subjects (15 credit points) | |
| Animal Diversity, Ecology and Behaviour | BIO1AD |
| Culture and Globalisation: introduction to anthropology | ANT1CAG |
| Our Global Village: introduction to anthropology | ANT1FET |
| Processes that Shape the Earth2 | GEO1PRO |
| The Nature of Language and Communication A | LIN1NLA |
| Third year subjects (30 credit points) | |
| Doing Anthropology | ANT3MQA |
Key: 2 Approval must be obtained from the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering.
Honours
For entry to the Honours year, La Trobe undergraduate students are normally required to have completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Archaeology or a Bachelor of Archaeology and have (as a minimum requirement) maintained a B (70% +) average in Archaeology subjects. Completion of ARC3AAR with at least a B (70% +) average is also required, along with 4 weeks fieldwork or laboratory experience.
To complete an honours year, students must pass two coursework subjects and a thesis component:
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Issues in Contemporary Archaeology | ARC4ICA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Practical Archaeology | ARC4PRA |
Honours Coordinator: Dr Richard Cosgrove
For further information about studying Archaeology, please contact the Archaeology program either by email at archaeology@latrobe.edu.au or by telephone on (03) 9479 2385.