ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS

ARC5REM

2020

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.

School: Humanities and Social Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Susan Lawrence

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters

Exchange Students: No

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: Yes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Enrolment in the Master of Professional Archaeology (AMPA) or the Graduate Diploma of Professional Archaeology (AGPA) or the Subject Coordinator's approval

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: ARC3AAR

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Archaeology in Practice

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Prereading

Author: Balme, J. & A. Paterson

Year: 2007

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: BLACKWELL PUB., MALDEN, MA

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

The Archaeologist's Field Handbook

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Prereading

Author: Smith, H. and H. Burke

Year: N/A

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Allen and Unwin

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective

DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Adaptability and Self-Management

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Communicate with other team members and stakeholders about strategies for excavation and recording of an archaeological site

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.

03. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of archaeological excavation and reporting.

04. Demonstrate project management skills through allocation of time and funding

05. Write a major report on excavation and analysis of archaeological materials that is grounded in primary data.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Susan Lawrence

Class requirements

Block ModeWeek: 34 - 35
Six 8.00 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 (19-21 Aug) and Wednesday - Friday in Week 35 (26-2 Aug).

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	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.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	20	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3
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.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	20	SILO1, SILO3, SILO4
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.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	40	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5
Literature review (1000 words)Students must provide a synthesis of key texts that consider the justification for archaeological excavation.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	20	SILO3