arc5rem archaeological research methods
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS
ARC5REM
2018
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject students develop expertise in the fundamental principles of archaeological research and how research programs are designed and implemented. Particular attention is given to practical and technical issues. This involves following through the many decisions involved in designing archaeological projects from initial research design to publication, including the choice of particular field strategies, methods of recording and documentation, and the preparation of reports. It includes a practical excavation component at the Melbourne campus.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorSusan Lawrence
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Enrolment in the Master of Professional Archaeology or the Graduate Diploma of Professional Archaeology or the Subject Coordinator's approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ARC3AAR
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Core subject in the Master of Professional Archaeology.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Archaeology in Practice | Preliminary | Balme, J. & A. Paterson | BLACKWELL PUB., MALDEN, MA 2007 |
| Readings | The Archaeologist's Field Handbook | Preliminary | Smith, H. and H. Burke | Allen and Unwin |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Communicate with other team members and stakeholders about strategies for excavation and recording of an archaeological site
- Activities:
- On-going negotiation of evolving excavation strategies with team members, Keep a detailed field note book that describes, tracks & evaluates daily activities on an archaeological excavation and artefact analysis
- 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)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Demonstrate effective team work skills through clear communication, organisation of tasks and responsibilities and critical self-reflection on your own role in the team.
- Activities:
- Present a written critical evaluation in the form of a report on the activities of the team as well as one's own performance
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
03. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of archaeological excavation and reporting.
- Activities:
- Develop and manage an evolving research strategy for the excavation of pre-selected squares in the TARDIS resource. Demonstrate these skills through the preparation of a research design and in the maintenance and archiving of site records.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour)
- 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)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
04. Demonstrate project management skills through allocation of time and funding
- Activities:
- Develop a research proposal including budget for the fieldwork, post-excavation and publication stages of an archaeological project.
- 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)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
05. Write a major report on excavation and analysis of archaeological materials that is grounded in primary data.
- Activities:
- Write a detailed excavation report on the work carried out in the TARDIS. This will include the explicit descriptions of methods and approaches to that work as well as results.
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSusan Lawrence
Class requirements
Block ModeWeek: 34 - 35
Six 8.0 hours block mode per study period on weekdays during the day from week 34 to week 35 and delivered via face-to-face.
"This subject will be taught intensively Wednesday-Friday in Week 34 (22-24 Augt) and Wednesday - Friday in Week 35 (29-31 Aug)."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field notebook (1000-word equivalent) | This will consist of the completed context forms, photographs, measured plans, journal and artefact catalogue that comprise the record of the excavation. Students will complete the work in their excavation teams and hand it in at the end of the intensive teaching block. This work will be assessed as a group project. | 20 | 01, 02, 03 |
| Research design (1500-word equivalent) | Students are asked to plan how they will carry out the excavation of the part of the site assigned to their group. The assignment will assess the students' abilities to understand the relationships between intellectual aims, excavation methods, and data collection strategies. It will be handed in at the start of the excavation and assessed individually. | 20 | 01, 03, 04 |
| Site report (3000-word equivalent) | Students must use the primary data recorded in the field notebook to construct a coherent account of the excavation. The assignment will assess students' abilities to analyse and interpret data, to use the data to address a set of research questions, and to place their interpretation in the context of a relevant body of research. The report will be handed in after the mid-semester break and will be assess | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 |
| Literature review (1000 words) | Students must provide a synthesis of key texts that consider the justification for archaeological excavation. | 20 | 03 |