Outline

Overview

Asia is the world's largest continent, home to the greatest environmental diversity on the planet. Its river valleys, mountains, steppes, jungles, islands and deserts have nurtured an extraordinarily rich variety of human responses to the pursuit of survival. As communities have evolved from small bands of hunter-foragers to large complex societies, their trajectories have diverged greatly in response to climatic, social and economic challenges. This unit offers a view of cultural development from the first humans to medieval times, presenting themes highlighting change, technological advances, interconnectivity, structures of power and our responsibility to protect the legacy of the past.

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 at 1000 level in Ancient History or Anthropology or Art History or History))
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Alison Betts, alison.betts@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	Tutorial Quizzes (1-4) Short paper on assigned question, based on class readings and lectures	40%	Multiple weeks	4x 500wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group Presentation Group Presentation	15%	Multiple weeks	10min (1000wd equiv.)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	1000 wd tutorial assignment Article review from allocated week	20%	Multiple weeks	1000 wds	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Task Multiple choice quiz	0%	Week 03 Due date: 15 Mar 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 15 Mar 2026	30 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	In-class test Hand-written test	25%	Week 06 Due date: 26 May 2026 at 23:59	30min (500wd equiv.)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

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

1 x Early Feedback task: 20 question multiple choice quiz to test basic knowledge of the scope of the material covered by the unit. Compulsory but marked at 0%.

4 x 500 wd Online Quiz: short paper on assigned question, based on class readings and lectures. 10% each.

1 x in Class in Person 500 wd written test: 30 minute short answer hand written test based on unit content over the semester. 25%.

1 x Group Presentation: 10 minute powerpoint/video class presentation based on set readings and set question. Designed to stimulate class discussion. 1000 wd equivalent. 15%.

1 x 1000 wd tutorial assignment: review of article based on text of presentation and discussion, written up as a summary. 20%

You must attempt all assessments in order to be eligible to pass the unit of study.

Assessment criteria

Result Name	Mark Range	Description
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
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
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
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

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.

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	Introduction: overview of themes, landscapes and cultures	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Out of Africa and across Asia: our hominin ancestors	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Student Led Discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Life in the Paleolithic: glacial and post-glacial patterns	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Student Led Discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Patterns of Domestication: East Asia – West Asia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Student Led Discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Herders and Farmers to Urban Polities: Mesopotamia/Levant	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Student Led Discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Herders and Farmers to Urban Polities: China – Central Asia – Eurasia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Student Led Discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Interconnectivities: mobility, technology transfer, trade, cultural assimilation: Lapis lazuli and Jade	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Student Led Discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Asian Iron Ages - Dark Ages, City States, Nomads and Empires: West Asia - The Neo-Assyrians: structures of empire	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	No Description	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Asian Iron Ages - Dark Ages, City States, Nomads and Empires: Central Asia - Nomad confederacies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Student Led Discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Asian Iron Ages - Dark Ages, City States, Nomads and Empires: East Asia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Student-Led Discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Asia in Late Classical/Medieval times	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Student-led Discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Maritime Heritage in Asia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Student Led Discussion	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Asia Overview: yesterday and today	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings will be added to Canvas within one to two days of delivery. Tutorial attendance is compulsory and a roster will be kept.

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences 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. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) 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.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.
Late Penalties: 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 may be awarded.
Assessment summary: Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. You are required to submit all assessments for this unit or risk receiving an absent fail.

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

All readings for this class can be accessed through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

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. Demonstrate expertise in the archaeology of Asia, with particular knowledge of the diversity and complexity of human society and its inter-relationships.
LO2. Demonstrate an understanding of how material remains can be used to reconstruct ancient lifeways.
LO3. Apply critical thinking to understand the significance of the archaeological record in a modern context.
LO4. Function as an independent learner, demonstrating the ability to communicate complex ideas in a sophisticated manner.

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 unit has been substantially adjusted based on student feedback. The website has been enriched and assignment instructions have been made clearer and more accessible. Tutorial structures have been made more rigorous.

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

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ARCO2109: Asia: Ice Age to Empire

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

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links