ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY ARCHAEOLOGY
ARC4ICA
2015
Credit points: 30
Subject outline
In the subject we will revisit some major and enduring theoretical issues in contemporary archaeology. The subject forms a bridge between the structured world of undergraduate learning and the more individualistic spheres of postgraduate research and employment in public archaeology. This subject requires the student to develop the initiative required to cross from one realm to the other. Seminar-style classes place strong emphasis on student participation.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 30
Subject Co-ordinator: Colin Smith
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 4 - UG/Hons/1st Yr PG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in one of the following courses: AHAR - Bachelor of Archaeology Honours or AHA - Bachelor of Arts Honours
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: ARC5ICA
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: Must be specializing in Archaeology
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Develop appropriate questions for the interrogation of theoretical issues in archaeology
- Activities:
- Develop self-conscious critiques of theoretical issues in archaeology; learn to identify key primary sources in the literature
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
- Writing(Writing)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
02. In seminar-style classes, discuss ethical and moral consequences of practising archaeology and the inclusion of stake-holders in cultural heritage issues
- Activities:
- Discussion of issues in class and expression of these in medium length essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
03. Integration of advanced academic skills and individual research skills
- Activities:
- The development of abilities to internalise complex ideas and explain them in clear English
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
04. Weekly oral presentations that reflect upon archaeological theory and disciplinary politics
- Activities:
- Summarise and present abstracts of weekly readings in discussion groups, identifying the aims, methods, data, and conclusions of the readings
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
05. Write a medium length essay and two short literature reviews using the Harvard referencing system
- Activities:
- Training in advanced essay -writing techniques, including approaches to literature reviews, to summarize complex academic issues
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Speaking(Speaking)
Melbourne, 2015, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Colin Smith
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| class performance (1,000-word equivalent) | 10 | 04 | |
| one 3,000-word essay | 50 | 01, 02, 04, 05 | |
| two 2,000-word literature reviews | 40 | 01, 04, 05 |