arc2dig digging archaeology
DIGGING ARCHAEOLOGY
ARC2DIG
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject provides an introduction to practical archaeological methods and techniques, in both the field and the laboratory, as well as providing a brief overview of the development of archaeology as a discipline. The methods and techniques of archaeology will be presented alongside the changing nature of interpretation of archaeological remains. Students will acquire first-hand experience about the challenges and limitations of archaeological data through practical workshops on the Bundoora campus. This is coupled with online learning to provide greater flexibility to students. Working in small groups students will excavate and record a simulated site and its artefacts, sharing their findings with other teams in order to interpret how people lived on this site in the past. By using their practical experience students will examine the methods and theories used to generate archaeological knowledge to critically evaluate the way archaeologists go about setting up research projects and collecting, analyzing and interpreting material remains.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorKeir Strickland
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 Coordinator's approval
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ARC3AAR: Approaches to Archaeological Research
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice | Preliminary | Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn | 6th Edition, Thames and Hudson,Paperback, 2012 |
| Readings | Archaeological Investigation | Prescribed | Martin Carver | Routledge 2009, Taylor and Francis 2013 |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Develop an appreciation for the range of past societies through the study of their material remains, the range of innovative responses to heritage in the present, and to develop new ideas about solving archaeological problems in the field (as part of a team) and the role of archaeology in managing heritage (individually in their final research proposal)
- Activities:
- Online materials, practical activities and tutorial discussion in teams regarding aspects of cultural variability of the material record across time and space, of situations where heritage values conflict, and of heritage legislation and professional codes of ethics, assessed through online quizzes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Develop independent research skills and experience the dynamics of change by transferring discipline-specific skills to the broader field of heritage management, learning to negotiate the complex and fluid relationships between research, conservation, legislation and stakeholder engagement
- Activities:
- Short assignments and research proposal
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
03. Demonstrate ability to engage with peers in effective communication, developing and expressing an argument clearly, developing and managing new ideas in teams convincingly, and with the use of appropriate methods and evidence
- Activities:
- Producing short practical reports based in simulated excavations, developing strategies and teamwork that can then be applied to their individual research proposals
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
04. Develop an awareness of individual responsibilities as custodians of heritage, and of ways continuing involvement through avocational and professional societies and promote volunteering on projects
- Activities:
- Discussion during practical workshops of archaeology's place in the community, assessed in online quizzes and research proposal
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
06. Develop individual contributions to the group in formulating a response to various archaeological questions and provide students with the opportunity to generate new ideas and innovative methods through practical activities and analysis of data
- Activities:
- In a team, carry out tutorial activities that focus on building appropriate responses to real and hypothetical archaeological case studies
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
07. Investigate the various material culture correlates that identify various cultural historical groupings providing students with the basic groundwork from which they can develop their ideas and discuss new technological advances in the field
- Activities:
- Use of case studies in practical activities, quizzes, short assignments, and research proposal
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
08. Demonstrate their development of basic skills in solving complex, real-world archaeological research problems. This will enable students to demonstrate their entrepreneurship in putting together a convincing research proposal to conduct research, contribute to debate and solve archaeological problems.
- Activities:
- 1800 word research proposal.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorKeir Strickland
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
PracticalWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours practical 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 1800-word essay | 40 | 01, 02, 04, 07, 08 | |
| Two reports on tutorial excavation simulations (equivalent to 800 words each) | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 06, 07 | |
| Weekly online quizzes after that week's online materials. Equivalent to 800 words in total. | 20 | 01, 02, 04, 07 |