arc3ate ancient technologies
ANCIENT TECHNOLOGIES
ARC3ATE
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Much of the archaeological record is made up of stone tools and the debris from their manufacture and their analysis and interpretation touches on almost every aspect of archaeological theory and practice. By studying stone artefacts archaeologists gain insights into the social and economic strategies of past societies and about the patterns of interaction between them. To generate this information requires practical knowledge about how to identify, describe and analyse stone artefacts.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorNicola Stern
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Students must have completed at least 60 credit points (including ARC2DIG) or obtain the subject coordinators permission
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ARC2ANT
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Readings | A Record in Stone: The Study of Australia's Flaked Stone Artefacts. | Prescribed | Holdaway, S.J. & Stern, N. | ABORIGINAL STUDIES PRESS, CANBERRA AND MUSEUM VICTORIA, MELBOURNE. 2004 |
Readings | Lithics: Macroscopic Approaches to Analysis. | Recommended | Andrefsky, W. | CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, NEW YORK. SECOND EDITION. 2005 |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Apply skills and knowledge in inquiry/research, critical thinking and creative problem solving to new interpretive frameworks as they are developed
- Activities:
- Foundations for achieving this goal are embedded in laboratory exercises, assignments and the final 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)
02. Appraise different analytical and interpretive approaches and their application to specific data
- Activities:
- Research and write an essay that includes critical evaluation of the analytical and interpretive approaches applied to a specific context
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
03. Contribute to class discussions evaluating different approaches to the interpretation and analysis of artefacts
- Activities:
- Participation in the weekly laboratory discussions linking the attributes being identified on the artefacts to the information they can generate about past technology
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
04. Evaluate different interpretations of change in the stone artefact record by investigating the theoretical and methodological approaches employed and the data presented in support of those interpretations
- Activities:
- Short assignment involving the analysis of a knapped assemblages and a medium length essay requiring the evaluation of current interpretations of change in the Australian stone artefact record
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
05. Identify differences between different approaches to the study of Australian stone artefacts
- Activities:
- Research and write an essay in which specific archaeological evidence is used to support the argument presented
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- 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)
06. Identify the substantive differences between different approaches to the analysis and interpretation of artefact assemblages
- Activities:
- Research and write an essay that includes critical evaluation of different analytical and interpretive approaches
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- 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)
07. Work as a member of a team to acquire archaeological information
- Activities:
- During workshops discuss in groups the features of an artefact that led you to identify it
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2019, Summer 3, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment size50
Enrolment information logistics of lab work: in sufficient lab space, reference materials and sorting sets for more than 25 students each lab group is restricted to 25
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorNicola Stern
Class requirements
Laboratory ClassWeek: 05 - 06
Ten 3.0 hours laboratory class per study period on weekdays during the day from week 05 to week 06 and delivered via face-to-face.
"25 max per lab otherwise access to reference material and sorting sets is impossible
"
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 05 - 06
Nine 1.5 hours unscheduled online class per study period on weekdays during the day from week 05 to week 06 and delivered via online.
LectureWeek: 05 - 06
One 1.0 hours lecture per study period on weekdays during the day from week 05 to week 06 and delivered via face-to-face.
"one introductory face to face lecture to be held at 9am on 29th January"
Assessments
Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
---|---|---|---|
Essay (2,000-word equivalent) | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 05 | |
Laboratory exercises (2,000-word equivalent) | 50 | 01, 03, 05, 07 | |
On-line quizzes (500-word equivalent) | 10 | 03, 04, 05, 06 |