arc2paa palaeolithic archaeology
PALAEOLITHIC ARCHAEOLOGY
ARC2PAA
2016
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Our ancestors first appeared on the African landscape between 7 and 6 million years ago, but it was not until two and a half million years ago that one or more of them began to litter the landscape with durable material remains. These early litterbugs unwittingly provided their descendants with a unique if enigmatic record of their activities. Although this record comprises little more than chipped stone tools and broken-up animal bones, it has the potential to yield a wealth of information about the behaviour and ecology of our ancestors. This subject explores how Palaeolithic archaeologists decode the behavioural and evolutionary significance of these remains.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorNicola Stern
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites 15 credit points of archaeology subjects or co-ordinator's approval
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ARC2PAL
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | The Human Career, | Prescribed | Klein, R.G. | 3RD EDN, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS 2009 |
| Readings | Principles of Human Evolution. | Recommended | Lewin, R. and R. Foley | BLACKWELL SCIENCE, OXFORD. 2ND EDITION. 2004. |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Apply skills and knowledge to assess new discoveries as they announced.
- Activities:
- Workshop discussion
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
02. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate alternative accounts of human evolution using published data.
- Activities:
- Essay, short assignments
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
03. Demonstrate an ability to write an account of human evolution that makes appropriate use of data and interpretive frameworks.
- Activities:
- Essay, short assignments
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
04. Demonstrate knowledge of cultural values, awareness and sensitivities surrounding discussions of human evolution
- Activities:
- Workshop discussions
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Life-Long Learning(Life-Long Learning)
05. Show a good understanding of the current literature pertaining to human behavioural evolution.
- Activities:
- Essay, short assignments
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
06. Significant contribution to the discussion of weekly topics and documentaries or display materials.
- Activities:
- Workshop discussions
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
07. The essay demonstrates a sound understanding of the substantive and methodological issues involved in writing a history of human behavioural evolution.
- Activities:
- Essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2016, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorNicola Stern
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 2,000-word essay | 50 | 02, 03, 04, 05, 07 | |
| Ten short assignments (2,000-words equivalent) | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 05, 06 |