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Unit of study_

ARCO2106: Archaeology of Modern Australasia

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Archaeology is one of the key fields for understanding the emergence of the modern world. The documentary record is dominated by European males so the archaeological record provides an important alternative line of evidence. Further, the emergence of modernity was a largely material phenomenon. Rather than simply involving changes in ideology or worldview, the emergence of modernity was based on wholesale transformations of landscapes, settlement patterns, domestic space, and material culture. This class provides students with the practical skills to understand the archaeology of modern society, focusing on case studies from Australia and Oceania.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ARCO2106
Academic unit Archaeology
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points of 1000 level in Archaeology or (6 credit points of 1000 level in Archaeology and 6 credit points from History or Ancient History or Anthropology)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator James Flexner, james.flexner@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Reading Quiz
During the semester, students will have five reading comprehension quizzes.
10% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Book Review Essay
Review of a monograph in a historical archaeology series.
45% Week 08
Due date: 15 Apr 2022 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Artefact analysis poster
Poster presentation on a specific artefact class, e.g. ceramics, buttons...
45% Week 13
Due date: 27 May 2022 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4

Assessment summary

During weeks 3-12, students will have the opportunity to answer a brief, two-question multiple choice or true/false reading quiz to gauge comprehension. Students must attempt five of these quizzes during the semester.

The book review essay is due in Week 8, and the artefact poster due in Week 13. More detail about these assessments will be available in the course Canvas page and will be discussed in class during the semester.

Assessment criteria

Result Name Mark Range Description
Fail <50

To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty. This grade, with corresponding mark, should also be used in cases where a student fails to achieve a mandated standard in a compulsory assessment, thereby failing to demonstrate the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard. In such cases the student will receive the mark awarded by the faculty up to a maximum of 49.

Note “Fail” marks might also include Absent Fail (student did not attempt one or more assignments) or Incomplete (student is planning to submit work when grades are due).

Pass 50-64 To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
Credit 65-74 To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
Distinction 75-84 To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
High Distinction 85-100 To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

For more information check the University’s 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Quizzes will be "locked" after the week they are due, students need to complete 5 out of a possible 10 during the semester. Written assessment late penalties follow Faculty policy of 5% per day late, with exception for Simple Extension or Special Consideration.

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 1. Introduction: What is historical archaeology? Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 2. Key concepts: contact, colonialism, capitalism Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: Garbology Practical (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 03 3. Pacific Encounters from Magellan to today Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: historical maps in archaeology Practical (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 04 4. New South Wales: early conflict to shared landscapes Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: Tobacco Pipes Practical (1 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 05 5. Queensland: frontier violence to landscapes of industry Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: Archives and historical photographs Practical (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 6. Tasmania: convicts and colonialism Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: Coins and tokens Practical (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 07 7. Western Australia and Northern Territory: encounters and extractions Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: Buttons and adornment Practical (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 08 8. Victoria: Goldrush to gilded era Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: Ceramics 1, wares, types, and quality Practical (1 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 09 9. New Zealand: The long white cloud Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: Nails and metal Practical (1 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 10 10. Hawaii: Kingdom of the gods Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: Glass bottles and containers Practical (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 11 11. Vanuatu: traders, beachcombers, and missionaries Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: Ceramics 2, iconography and interpretation Practical (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 12 12. Entangled Objects: Australasian collections around the world Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
LAB: Self-guided visit to Macleay collections on display in CCWM Practical (1 hr) LO3 LO5
13. Careers and challenges in historical archaeology Seminar (2 hr) LO5

Attendance and class requirements

In keeping with University of Sydney policy, students are expected to attend seminars and labs. If you cannot attend class, especially the labs, please let me know ahead of time if possible.

Students are required to attempt all of the assignments to pass the class (5x reading quizzes, book review essay, artefact poster).

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.

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. Understand techniques commonly used in historical archaeology, which are broadly applicable in archaeology and the social sciences, particularly spatial analysis and material culture analysis.
  • LO2. Possess a broad knowledge of the forces that created the modern world, particularly capitalism and industrialization, European colonialism, and the creation of state institutions.
  • LO3. Be able to compare and contrast different kinds of evidence in creating diverse narratives about the past and present.
  • LO4. Identify and analyse commonly encountered historical site and artefact types, including those that are common in Australasian contexts.
  • LO5. Critically assess the ways that contemporary environmental, political, economic, and religious arrangements developed out of structures and systems of colonial life in and beyond Australasia.

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 is the first time this unit will be taught. In addition to UoS outlines, I will do a mid-semester student evaluation so I can adjust things as needed.

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.