THEORETICAL ISSUES IN ARCHAEOLOGY
ARC5AIT
2016
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In the subject we will revisit some major and enduring theoretical issues in contemporary archaeology and investigate differing schools of thought that have developed in archaeology. The subject is aligned with more individualistic spheres of learning appropriate to postgraduate research. Seminar-style classes place strong emphasis on student participation.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Phillip Edwards
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Enrolment in the Master of Archaeology or the subject coordinator#s approval.
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, 2016, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Michael O'Keefe
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Twelve 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| class performance (1,000-word equivalent) | 10 | 03, 04 | |
| one 3,000-word essay | 50 | 01, 02, 04, 05 | |
| 2,000-word literature review | 40 | 01, 04, 05 |