Students
AHIS1301 – World Archaeology
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Danijel Dzino
Course co-coordinator
Gunner Mikkelsen
Gunner Mikkelsen
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit explores the human past from prehistoric times up to the present. Students will examine a range of archaeological material from different parts of the world from prehistory to the early medieval period. By exploring a variety of ancient cultures, students will observe the interdisciplinary approach that contemporary archaeology utilises when facing broader questions such as the origin of the human species, its evolution and its interaction with the natural environment until the emergence of complex societies and then the blooming and diversity of historical societies. The unit will provide a broad knowledge and understanding of past societies, introducing methodology and theoretical issues when necessary. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Acquire knowledge of a range of archaeological cultures, sites and material in their geographic and chronological contexts.
- ULO2: Understand how past societies developed and interacted worldwide and some of the principles, concepts and techniques used in the study of the archaeology of the world
- ULO3: Read literature from different archaeological disciplines and interpret written and material evidence with appreciation and understanding.
- ULO4: Plan and present written arguments about archaeological cultures and material in coherent and documented form
- ULO5: Apply and adapt knowledge of a range of issues, questions and problems relating to the contemporary understanding of the past.
General Assessment Information
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial engagement. | 10% | No | Week 2-12 |
| Online quizzes | 20% | No | Week 8 and 13 |
| Short paper | 30% | No | 11/09/2020 |
| Research essay | 40% | No | 6/11/2020 |
Tutorial engagement.
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 7 hours
Due: Week 2-12
Weighting: 10%
Online post on tutorial readings.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Acquire knowledge of a range of archaeological cultures, sites and material in their geographic and chronological contexts.
- Understand how past societies developed and interacted worldwide and some of the principles, concepts and techniques used in the study of the archaeology of the world
- Read literature from different archaeological disciplines and interpret written and material evidence with appreciation and understanding.
- Plan and present written arguments about archaeological cultures and material in coherent and documented form
- Apply and adapt knowledge of a range of issues, questions and problems relating to the contemporary understanding of the past.
Online quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: Week 8 and 13
Weighting: 20%
Online quizzes
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Acquire knowledge of a range of archaeological cultures, sites and material in their geographic and chronological contexts.
- Understand how past societies developed and interacted worldwide and some of the principles, concepts and techniques used in the study of the archaeology of the world
- Read literature from different archaeological disciplines and interpret written and material evidence with appreciation and understanding.
- Plan and present written arguments about archaeological cultures and material in coherent and documented form
- Apply and adapt knowledge of a range of issues, questions and problems relating to the contemporary understanding of the past.
Short paper
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 21 hours
Due: 11/09/2020
Weighting: 30%
1000 words short paper
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Acquire knowledge of a range of archaeological cultures, sites and material in their geographic and chronological contexts.
- Understand how past societies developed and interacted worldwide and some of the principles, concepts and techniques used in the study of the archaeology of the world
- Read literature from different archaeological disciplines and interpret written and material evidence with appreciation and understanding.
- Plan and present written arguments about archaeological cultures and material in coherent and documented form
- Apply and adapt knowledge of a range of issues, questions and problems relating to the contemporary understanding of the past.
Research essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 6/11/2020
Weighting: 40%
2,000 words research essay
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Acquire knowledge of a range of archaeological cultures, sites and material in their geographic and chronological contexts.
- Understand how past societies developed and interacted worldwide and some of the principles, concepts and techniques used in the study of the archaeology of the world
- Read literature from different archaeological disciplines and interpret written and material evidence with appreciation and understanding.
- Plan and present written arguments about archaeological cultures and material in coherent and documented form
- Apply and adapt knowledge of a range of issues, questions and problems relating to the contemporary understanding of the past.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
- Access to a library and/or article database such as JSTOR will be necessary to complete the assignments. If individual access to such databases is not possible, access is possible via the Macquarie Library website, although a proxy server may be necessary (for more see the "IT Help" link under the "Policies and Procedures" tab).
- All lectures, assignments, and readings will be posted on the course's iLearn site. Additional resources, including web-links and additional directions will also appear there.
Prescribed textbooks:
Required: M. Diaz-Andreu, S. Lucy, S. Babić, & D. N. Edwards, The Archaeology of Identity: Approaches to gender, age, status, ethnicity and religion (London & New York, 2005)
Optional: C. Scarre & B. Fagan, Ancient Civilizations (4th ed.) (London & New York, 2016) – useful for broad historical overview.
Unit Schedule
Lecture timetable
Week 1: Introduction to the unit and some basic archaeological concepts
Week 2: The Upper Palaeolithic period in Europe
Week 3: The Neolithic period and the birth of complex societies
Week 4: Tombs and pyramids in Ancient Egypt / Egyptian mummies
Week 5: Transition from Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age in Near East
Week 6: The Minoans
Week 7: European Bronze and Iron Age
Mid-semester break
Week 8: The Mycenaeans
Week 9: Roman archaeology
Week 10: Early Christian and archaeology of Late antiquity
Week 11: Early medieval archaeology
Week 12: Archaeology of Mesoamerican cultures
Week 13: Australian Archaeology
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.