Outline

Overview

Historical archaeology examines the material traces of the last 500 years in conversation with the written word and the spoken word. While these forms of evidence rarely align, their intersections offer key insights into systems of power and oppression that have shaped the modern world, as well as the experiences of those often hidden from official records. This unit provides students with theoretical and practical skills in historical archaeology and heritage studies to explore the materiality of the recent past. Case studies from Australia and Oceania address themes such as colonialism, capitalism, and inequality, drawing on real-world examples from industry and research-led projects.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Archaeology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in Archaeology or (6 credit points at 1000 level in Archaeology and 6 credit points from History or Ancient History or Anthropology)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Charlotte Feakins, charlotte.feakins@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Out-of-class quiz	Reading Quizzes Students will complete at least 5 of the 10 reading comprehension quizzes.	10%	Multiple weeks	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Book Review Essay Review of a monograph in a historical archaeology series.	45%	Week 08 Due date: 22 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 May 2026	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Artefact analysis poster Poster presentation on a specific artefact type/class, e.g. ceramics, buttons, plastics ...	45%	Week 13 Due date: 27 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Jun 2026	2500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction: What is historical archaeology? What is heritage?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	1. Introduction: What is historical archaeology? cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	2. Historical archaeology and heritage in Context	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Critical thinking in historical archaeology and heritage	Practical (1 hr)
	2. Key concepts: contact, colonialism, capitalism cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	3. Archives, silences and counter-archives	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Archives in historical archaeology and heritage	Practical (1 hr)
	3. Pacific Encounters from Magellan to today cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	4. Convictism and unfree labour	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Case study analysis	Practical (1 hr)
	4. New South Wales: early conflict to shared landscapes cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	5. Slavery and racialised labour	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Case study analysis	Practical (1 hr)
	5. Queensland: frontier violence to landscapes of industry cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	6. Settler colonialism and Indigenous archaeology	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Case study analysis	Practical (1 hr)
	6. Tasmania: convicts and colonialism cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	7. Gender, care and institutional life	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Case study analysis	Practical (1 hr)
	7. Western Australia and Northern Territory: encounters and extractions cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	8. Pastoralism, frontiers and landscapes	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Case study analysis	Practical (1 hr)
	8. Victoria: Goldrush to gilded era cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	9.Personal objects, emotion and everyday life	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Case study analysis	Practical (1 hr)
	9. New Zealand: The long white cloud cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	10. Industrialisation, waste & the anthropocene	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Case study analysis	Practical (1 hr)
	10. Hawaii: Kingdom of the gods cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	11. Contemporary archaeology, protest & disaster	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Case study analysis	Practical (1 hr)
	11. Vanuatu: traders, beachcombers, and missionaries cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	12. Heritage futures and climate disruption	Lecture (1 hr)
	LAB: Case study analysis	Practical (1 hr)
	12. Entangled Objects: Australasian collections around the world	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	13. Careers and challenges in historical archaeology and heritage	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	13. Careers and challenges in historical archaeology cont.	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

In keeping with University of Sydney policy, students are expected to attend lectures, tutorials and labs. If you cannot attend class, especially the labs, please let the unit coordinator 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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This is the second 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

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ARCO2106: Historical Archaeology and Heritage

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links