Outline

Overview

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

Academic unit	Archaeology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 2000 level in Archaeology
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ARCA2635
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Roland Fletcher, roland.fletcher@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Essay n/a	60%	Formal exam period Due date: 20 Nov 2025 at 23:59	3500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Questions relating to lectures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 One question each week 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Brief question to the lecturer relating to each of Weeks 1-5 lectures.	10%	Multiple weeks	5 x 50 words	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Q&A following Presentation at which you are first responder Q&A following Presentation at which you are first responder	10%	Multiple weeks	250 word equiv.	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation pdf of PowerPoint from presentation to be submitted three days after giving the presentation.	20%	Multiple weeks	1000 word equiv.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Questions: One question is to be submitted online relating to each of Lectures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 at the end of each lecture in the lecture room. 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: Visual information from your essay topic. Pdf of PowerPoint from presentation to be submitted three days after the presentation is given.
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.

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	Why Archaeological history and theory? (Roland Fletcher)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Antiquarianism to the 19th Century CE. (Roland Fletcher)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	The foundations of Archaeology in the 19th Century. (Roland Fletcher)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	European-American Archaeology to the 1940s. (Roland Fletcher)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	World Archaeology to the 1980s (Roland Fletcher)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Engagement Archaeology into the 21st century (Roland Fletcher)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Archaeology in the 21st century - Roland Fletcher	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Theories of Civilisation: The Indus Civilisation - Alison Betts, The Khmer - Roland Fletcher	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Theories of Collapse: Easter Island - James Flexner; Collapse - Roland Fletcher	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Theories of Reconstruction: Knossos - Lesley Beaumont; Visualisation - Roland Fletcher	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Theories of Deep Time: Kakadu - Tristen Jones #; Deep Time - Roland Fletcher	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Theories of the Unexpected: Gobekli Tepe - Joseph Lehner; Megaliths - Roland Fletcher.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Archaeology: Where next? Roland Fletcher	Lecture and tutorial (3 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 in the Reading List section are required readings. The reading list is a reading resource list only.

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 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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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 students

Additional information

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.

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

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ARCO3101: Revealing the Past: Theory and History

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links