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Unit of study_

ARCO3101: Revealing the Past: Theory and History

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit provides an introduction to theory and explanation in archaeology. By exploring changes in archaeological thought over time, in a historical context, students will come to better understand the diversity of contemporary archaeological practice and the various ways in which archaeologists seek to explain past societies. The focus of weeks 1-6 is on the historical development of archaeological thought and theory, from its earliest manifestations right up to the present day while weeks 7-14 focus on major themes, such as social organization and ethno-archaeology and exploring how archaeological theory is applied in order to understand humankind’s past and present.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ARCO3101
Academic unit Archaeology
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ARCA2635
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in Archaeology
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Roland Fletcher, roland.fletcher@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
n/a
70% Formal exam period
Due date: 16 Nov 2023 at 23:59
3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Attendance Questions relating to lectures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Brief question to the lecturer relating to each of Weeks 1-5 lectures.
10% Multiple weeks One question each week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Image Report
On a topic from lectures 1-6. Further details will be given in class
20% Week 10
Due date: 05 Oct 2023 at 23:59
15 images each with 40 word captions
Outcomes assessed: LO1

Assessment summary

  • Questions: One question is to be submitted online relating to each of Lectures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 by the day following the lecture.  Each question is worth 2 marks (i.e. 5 x 2, a total of 10).  Further explanation will be given in the first seminar.  The questions will be discussed in later seminars.
  • Seminar presentation: preparation for visual information for your essay topic.  An initial submission for Professor Fletcher’s comments will be required by 17 March with final submission by 13 May (5%)
  • Essay: An essay on a topic of your choice about the history and theory of archaeology.  It is important to consult the Unit Coordinator on the topic which you wish to study..

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 Why Archaeological history and theory? (Professor Roland Fletcher) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 02 Antiquarianism to the 19th Century CE. (Professor Roland Fletcher) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 03 The foundations of Archaeology in the 19th Century. (Professor Roland Fletcher) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 04 European-American Archaeology to the 1940s. (Professor Roland Fletcher) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 05 World Archaeology to the 1980s (Professor Roland Fletcher) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 06 Engagement Archaeology into the 21st century (Professor Roland Fletcher) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 07 Knossos and Lefkandi (Associate Professor Lesley Beaumont) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 08 Indus and Xiaohe (Professor Alison Betts) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 09 Stonehenge (Professor Annie Clarke); Oppida (Professor Roland Fletcher) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 10 Gobekli Tepe and Catal Huyuk (Dr. Seppi Lehner) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 11 Demise - Easter Island (Associate Professor James Flexner); Demise - Angkor (Professor Roland Fletcher) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 12 Kakadu (Dr. Tristen Jones and Dr Charlotte Feakins) Seminar (2 hr)  
Week 13 Archaeology: Where to? (Professor Roland Fletcher) Seminar (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • 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.

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

None of the readings are required readings.  The reading list is a reading resource list only

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 the key elements of archaeological theory and explanation and how they have changed over time
  • LO2. understand why theory is important to the history and practice of contemporary archaeology
  • LO3. apply aspects of archaeological theory to explanation and practice in archaeology today
  • LO4. integrate literature review into archaeological argument building
  • LO5. exercise critical judgement and an increased capacity for rigorous and independent thinking
  • LO6. access, assess, organise and communicate knowledge and ideas with increased competency

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.

How Student Feedback has been used to develop this Unit of Study. This has come from previous end-semester student evaluations and from individual discussions with student

Further information on the assessments will be given in the lectures.

Disclaimer

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

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