ARCO6003: Semester 2, 2021

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Units ARCO6003 Semester 2 2021 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

ARCO6003: Fieldwork Experience

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

The unit is intended to enable students to gain additional insight from the experience of fieldwork by considering the intellectual purpose which it serves, the social context in which it occurs and the relationship between the work which was carried out and the research outcome which was produced. The aim is to consider the role of fieldwork, its effect on the researcher, on other participants and on the communities in which and/or with whom it is carried out.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	ARCO6003
Academic unit	Archaeology
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	James Flexner, james.flexner@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Creative assessment / demonstration	Seminar Presentation Presentation and submission of powerpoint slides about fieldwork.	25%	Week 13	15 minutes (1500 words equivalent)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Fieldwork Report Report summarising fieldwork activities, methodologies and results.	75%	Week 13	4500 words plus figures.
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Seminar Presentation (25%, 1500-word equivalent)

This assessment allows the student to present their fieldwork results in the context of their project’s research questions and objectives. The format is a 15-minute oral presentation accompanied by slide images, which is a standard way of presenting archaeological findings in professional settings.

Fieldwork Report (75%, 4500 words plus figures)

The fieldwork report follows a professional standard format relevant to the student’s geographical area, the type of field data they record, and the authority to whom the report is made (e.g., academic institution, local or national government, museum). It will report on the research questions and rationale, methodology or methodologies used, summarise results, and explain the significance of the findings.

Assessment criteria

This class is undertaken on a Grade Only basis, where credit is awarded on the assessment by the supervisor that the fieldwork was completed to a satisfactory degree.

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:

It is expected that the student will present and submit in the semester during which the fieldwork was undertaken (or semester after if the fieldwork was undertaken between semesters). If this is not possible or there are delays with the submission, the student will need to explain why and what is to be done to mitigate the delays. Excessive delays may result in the student not passing and having to re-enroll in this or another unit.

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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes

Attendance and class requirements

The duration of fieldwork is to be determined by the scope of the project, in conversation with the student’s HDR supervisors. In addition to a minimum of 60 hours in the field, students will have four one-hour meetings with supervisor(s), ideally three before the fieldwork is to take place to discuss methodologies, techniques, community issues, etc. Then a one-hour “debrief” will take place after fieldwork is completed.

The student will also be required to present their fieldwork via a 15-minute presentation as part of a fieldwork symposium featuring HDR student research (virtual or in-person presentation depending on circumstances).

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

No prescribed readings, an appropriate reading list will be generated by the supervisor in conversation with the student.

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. • Be capable of carrying out the relevant fieldwork activities (e.g. survey, excavation) to a professional standard
LO2. • Gain one or more relevant skills in the nationally-recognised Australian National Committee for Teaching and Learning Skills Passport
LO3. • Produce a high-quality technical report on fieldwork activities that contributes to thesis progress as well as state or national reporting requirements for archaeological work
LO4. • Gain leadership skills and confidence as a supervisor or director of fieldwork activities
LO5. • Gain an understanding of working in a team and with members of local communities as well as the personnel of regional/national authorities

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.

Fieldwork assessment will be reviewed periodically based on individual input to make sure students are receiving appropriate guidance and support.

Additional information

Additional costs

Fieldwork costs will be covered by external (e.g. ARC) or internal (e.g. Carlyle Greenwell, Tom Austen Brown) funding schemes when necessary and appropriate.

Work, health and safety

Students will be required to follow the university’s fieldwork safety protocol as implimented through the Department of Archaeology, including filing the formal paperwork with the Department of Archaeology Fieldwork Safety Officer who will review and approve the submission before fieldwork can take place.

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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