Unit Code:	ARC2MHW
Alternative Unit Code:	ARC3MHW
Unit Short Title:	MAYA HIEROGLYPHIC WRITING
Credit Points:	20
Unit Description:	In this subject students undertake an introductory course in how to read Maya hieroglyphs, which represent the greatest development of writing in the ancient Americas. Until recently, Maya writing was one of the great undeciphered writing systems in the world. Over the past few decades, however, Maya writing has been almost completely deciphered, and its decipherment has been crucial in aiding archaeological research into Maya civilisation, and in many cases has revolutionised interpretations of the ancient Maya. By the end of this subject students will be able to read and interpret basic Maya texts.
Prerequisites:	15 credit points of archaeology or history or co-ordinator's approval
Class Requirements:	one 1-hour lecture and one 2-hour workshop per week. For a pass in this subject students must normally attend at least 80% of the tutorials
Work Experience Indicator:	Not undertaking work experience in industry
Available to 'Study Abroad' students:	Y

Assessment:

Assessment Type	%	Comments
four 250-word workshop quizzes	20
one 1,500-word hieroglyphic text assignment	30
one 2,500-word research assignment	50	Third-year students are expected to show greater levels of achievement of discipline-specific skills than second-year students.

Readings:

Reading Type	Title	Author	Publisher
Prescribed	A Maya hieroglyph workbook.	Mathews, P.	Archaeology Program, La Trobe University 2003.
Prescribed	Reading the Maya code.	Coe, M.D. and Van Stone, M.	Thames and Hudson 2001.
Recommended	Breaking the Maya code.	Coe, M.D.	Thames and Hudson 1992.

Unit Streams:

Teaching Period	Unit Class	Location
2   26-JUL-10   29-OCT-10	Day	BUNDOORA

Unit Coordinators:

Title	First Name	Last Name	Location	Primary Coordinator
Professor	Peter	Mathews	BUNDOORA	Y