• Offered by School of Archaeology and Anthropology
  • ANU College ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Course subject Archaeology
  • Areas of interest Archaeology

People have occupied Australia for at least 50,000 years. During that period geographically varied cultural systems changed frequently, adjusting to the altered economic and social circumstances. By using archaeological, historical, climate and biological evidence we can understand aspects of these ancient societies, such as how their economies operated, and how people perceived their society and environment. This course traces the long history of people on this continent. It also introduces you to unique skill sets required to work as an archaeologist in Australia.

Fieldwork Component Information: This course requires travel outside of the ACT. Students will only be permitted to travel upon completion of ANU required travel documentation and the approval of all documentation by the relevant delegate. Applicants are advised that due to circumstances beyond the University's control it may not be possible for students to commence or complete the fieldwork, in which case an alternative lesson plan will be arranged to fulfill the course requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
  1. understand principal themes, issues and debates in Australian archaeology;
  2. familiarise yourself with community (including Aboriginal) consultation;
  3. develop skills required to work as an archaeologist in Australia including preparation of grant applications and academic/ consultancy reports; and
  4. record sites using an “Aboriginal Site Impact Recording Form”.

Other Information

Students will have the opportunity to complete an optional/ungraded fieldwork portfolio - Literature review for field research area (Burrill Lakes).

Indicative Assessment

Group assignment: design and coordinate a mini tutorial on a topic of student interest (15%), Learning Outcome 1, comprising:
  • post discussion questions (x5, total 100 words) and focused readings (x2) on Wattle at least 4 days prior to the tutorial (5%); and
  • presentation of 10 minutes & coordinated discussion of 10 minutes (10%)”
1500 word Aboriginal Site Assessment Report (35%) Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 4
2000 word essay (50%) Learning Outcome 1  
  

In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle. 

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 57 hours of contact consisting of:
    24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials over 12 weeks, and
    21 hours over three days (field-trip); and
b) 73 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.

Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must have completed 6 units in Archaeology (ARCH or PREH), or be studying the Australian Indigenous Studies major, or with permission of the convenor. You are not able to enrol in this course if you have previously completed PREH2004 or ARCH6004.

Prescribed Texts

Hiscock, P. 2007 Archaeology of Ancient Australia.  London: Routledge.

Preliminary Reading

Cane, S. 2013. First Footprints. Allen and Unwin Press

Majors

Minors

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Student Contribution Band:
1
Unit value:
6 units

If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.  Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Units EFTSL
6.00 0.12500
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2020 $3120
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2020 $4800
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

First Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
4478 22 Feb 2021 01 Mar 2021 31 Mar 2021 28 May 2021 In Person View

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