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Unit of study_

ARCO1000: Ancient People: Hunters and Farmers

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Tracing the story of our species, Homo sapiens, we provide an introduction to world prehistory from the evolution of our distant ancestors in Africa up to the emergence of farming. This unit introduces the discipline of archaeology, providing a broad practical and conceptual foundation for the continuing study of archaeology.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ARCO1000
Academic unit Archaeology
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ARCA1000
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter Hiscock, peter.hiscock@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Patrick Faulkner, patrick.faulkner@sydney.edu.au
Joseph W. Lehner, joseph.lehner@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Short archaeological writing task
n/a
10% Week 05
Due date: 27 Mar 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 28 Mar 2020
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Small test Online multiple choice test
n/a
30% Week 06
Due date: 31 Mar 2020 at 11:00

Closing date: 31 Mar 2020
50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Small test Online multiple choice test
n/a
30% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2020 at 11:00

Closing date: 24 May 2020
50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Assignment Essay
n/a
30% Week 13
Due date: 22 May 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 23 May 2020
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Lect 01: Introduction to Archaeology: Evolution and the human past (PH) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4
No Lab in week 1 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 02 Lect 02: Finding and Digging (PF) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 02: Finding and digging Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 03 Lect 03: Dating and culture history (PH) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 03: Stratigraphy Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 04 Lect 04: Archaeozoology reveals the origins of humanity (PF) Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 04: Human origins Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 05 Lecture 05: Evolution of technology (PH) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 05: Early Tool Use Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 06 Lecture 06: Global dispersal of modern humans (PH) Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 06: Lithics Online class (1 hr) LO1
Week 07 Lect 07: Explaining difference and change in Australian artefacts (PH) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 07: Classification and analysis Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 08 Lect 08: Human/environment interaction (PF) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 08: Working with fauna Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 09 Lect 09: Ice age foragers (PF) Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 09: Garbage and its meaning Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 10 Lect 10: How to explain the origins of agriculture? (JL) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 10: Evolutionary games Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 11 Lect 11: The Neolithic demographic transition 2 (JL) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 11: Evolutionary transitions in West Asia Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 12 Lect 12: Evolution of cooperation, conflict, and the rise of social complexity (JL) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Lab 12: TBA Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 13 Lect 13: Cultural evolution (PH) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: students are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board which will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recoring: All lectures will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Participation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There are no prescribed readings in this unit. Information you need for assessment will be delivered in lectures and tutorials. However you may find the following books useful in providing you with both background and information at an introductory level.

  • Recommended textbook:Scarre, C., 2013. The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies. Thames & Hudson.
  • Recommended textbook: Renfrew, C., Bahn, P.G., 2016. Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice (Seventh Edition). Thames & Hudson.
  • Recommended textbook: Balme, J., 2013. Archaeology in Practice. John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an understanding of how archaeology, as the study of material culture, is employed across a wide variety of spatial and temporal contexts
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of archaeological interpretations of early human society
  • LO3. demonstrate a basic capacity for scholarly evaluation, critical analysis, and problem solving within archaeology through the writing of an essay on a selected topic
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of the foundations of global archaeological processes, along with a basic awareness of archaeological sequences and cultural change.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has been revised to enhance the delivery of the core theme.

Please see full unit information on Canvas.

 

Coronavirus

Some of you may have your arrival delayed by travel restrictions imposed in relation to the Coronavirus outbreak, or indeed other events that the University recognises as circumstances beyond your control. If you fall into this category please contact us.  The University has provided answers to Frequently Asked Questions: https://sydney.edu.au/study/coronavirus-infection-university-of-sydney-advice/frequently-asked-questions.htmlLinks to an external site.

The University policy is that while you are subject to travel restrictions you will still be able to undertake this unit remotely, with the lectures recorded and streamed over the web and alternatives to the scheduled laboratory activities. If you are subject to restrictions and cannot attend classes please contact archaeologist Dr Peter Jia peter.jia@sydney.edu.au He will be focused on helping you while subject to restrictions.

Note: ICT has confirmed arrangements for a special VPN for our students in China to use. It is recommended that students only use the new VPN if they are having trouble accessing our materials without it. Instructions are online nowLinks to an external site..

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.