PALAEOLITHIC ARCHAEOLOGY

ARC2PAA

2019

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.

School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Nicola Stern

Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG

Exchange Students: Yes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Students must have completed at least 60 credit points or obtain the subject coordinators permission

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: ARC2PAL

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Special conditions: N/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. Understand the contribution that archaeology makes to the story of human evolution

Activities:: Online questions and quizzes; essay
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

02. Evaluate alternative accounts of human evolution using appropriate material evidence

Activities:: Online questions and quizzes; essay
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: 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); Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

03. Identify the scientific methods and deep-seated beliefs that influence understanding of key events in human evolution

Activities:: Online questions and quizzes; essay
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

04. Demonstrate knowledge of cultural values, awareness and sensitivities surrounding discussions of human evolution

Activities:: workshop discussions

05. Evaluate the import of all humanity sharing a deep-time history

Activities:: online quizzes, workshop discussions
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information:

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Nicola 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*
Ten short assignments (2,000-words equivalent)		50	01, 02, 03, 05
One 2,000-word research essay		50	01, 02, 03, 04, 05