Students

AHIS2301 – Archaeology of Death and Burial

2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Hannah Vogel
hannah.vogel@mq.edu.au
Ray Laurence
ray.laurence@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Cemeteries are arguably the most ubiquitous site-types in the archaeological record, providing the greatest portion of artefacts, ecofacts, features, texts and artistic representations from which archaeologists and historians have based their reconstructions of the past. Notwithstanding these facts, cemeteries are also arguably the most challenging site-type to interpret due to the profound complexity and variability of mortuary behaviour - both within and across cultures. This unit embraces 'complexity' and 'variability' as opportunities to consider how different societies and cultures dealt with the biological imperative of death. By encompassing the fields of archaeology, history, theory, biology, social and cultural studies, politics, and economics, this interdisciplinary unit will invite students to consider the enduring tendency of death to provide individuals and groups with a stage to articulate the complexity, variability and meaning of life.

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: Articulate acquired knowledge and skills pertaining to the archaeology of death and burial across time, geographical regions and cultures
  • ULO2: Demonstrate critical thinking by solving problems in the interpretation of ambiguous, complex and contrasting archaeological data
  • ULO3: Reflect on how knowledge gained in the unit can be applied in modern (ethnographic) contexts
  • ULO4: Create multimedia content that communicates specific archaeological knowledge and skills
  • ULO5: Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively as part of team whilst managing different perspectives of individuals

General Assessment Information

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE UNIT

To complete the unit successfully you need a minimum mark of 50% overall. 

N.B. You must attempt every piece of assessment to pass this unit. In accordance with Clause 129 of the University Assessment Policy, non-submission of an Assessment Task will result in a FA grade - Fail Absent.

GRADES: 

F / FA: 0-49% P: 50-64% CR: 65-74% D: 75-84% HD: 85-100%

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS - PENALTY

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. online quizzes, online tests.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON FINAL MARKS 

Please note with respect to the marks you receive for work during the session: grading decisions for each assessment task will be moderated against the set criteria and standards before task results are released. See further the note on Results in the Policies and Procedures section below.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online Quiz 1 15% No WEEK 4: Opens 5pm Friday 18th August 2023
e-Portfolio 30% No WEEK 5: 11:55pm Sunday 27th August 2023
Individual Video Task 10% No Recess Week 1: 11:55pm Sunday 17th September 2023
Group Video Task 30% No WEEK 11: 11:55pm Sunday 22nd October 2023
Online Quiz 2 15% No WEEK 13: Opens 5pm Friday 3rd November 2023

Online Quiz 1

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 4 hours
Due: WEEK 4: Opens 5pm Friday 18th August 2023
Weighting: 15%

 

Answer 10 short questions based on the unit content, readings and discussions

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Articulate acquired knowledge and skills pertaining to the archaeology of death and burial across time, geographical regions and cultures
  • Reflect on how knowledge gained in the unit can be applied in modern (ethnographic) contexts

e-Portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: WEEK 5: 11:55pm Sunday 27th August 2023
Weighting: 30%

 

Working individually, produce a short multimedia reflection piece. This reflection piece provides an opportunity to express your learning experience in a personalised, creative way.Alongside your other creative assessment outputs for this unit, the e-Portfolio assessment task forms a reflective piece which connects and contextualises your submissions across the unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Articulate acquired knowledge and skills pertaining to the archaeology of death and burial across time, geographical regions and cultures
  • Demonstrate critical thinking by solving problems in the interpretation of ambiguous, complex and contrasting archaeological data
  • Reflect on how knowledge gained in the unit can be applied in modern (ethnographic) contexts
  • Create multimedia content that communicates specific archaeological knowledge and skills

Individual Video Task

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Recess Week 1: 11:55pm Sunday 17th September 2023
Weighting: 10%

 

Working individually, produce a short video piece from a script you have written using a choice of media and methods to tell a story.This is open to experimental approaches and has a light weighting (ie.10%) to encourage you to practice in the medium.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Articulate acquired knowledge and skills pertaining to the archaeology of death and burial across time, geographical regions and cultures
  • Demonstrate critical thinking by solving problems in the interpretation of ambiguous, complex and contrasting archaeological data
  • Reflect on how knowledge gained in the unit can be applied in modern (ethnographic) contexts
  • Create multimedia content that communicates specific archaeological knowledge and skills

Group Video Task

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: WEEK 11: 11:55pm Sunday 22nd October 2023
Weighting: 30%

 

Working in a group, from an agreed script, produce a short video piece using a choice of media and methods to tell a story. You will be expected to perform any of a variety of roles and 50% of this mark comes from a 500 word reflection on your team work and process.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Articulate acquired knowledge and skills pertaining to the archaeology of death and burial across time, geographical regions and cultures
  • Demonstrate critical thinking by solving problems in the interpretation of ambiguous, complex and contrasting archaeological data
  • Reflect on how knowledge gained in the unit can be applied in modern (ethnographic) contexts
  • Create multimedia content that communicates specific archaeological knowledge and skills
  • Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively as part of team whilst managing different perspectives of individuals

Online Quiz 2

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 4 hours
Due: WEEK 13: Opens 5pm Friday 3rd November 2023
Weighting: 15%

 

Answer 10 short questions based on the unit content, readings and discussions

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Articulate acquired knowledge and skills pertaining to the archaeology of death and burial across time, geographical regions and cultures
  • Reflect on how knowledge gained in the unit can be applied in modern (ethnographic) contexts

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

Consult the Unit's iLearn site for weekly updates on delivery and resources.

Unit Schedule

Consult the Unit's iLearn site for weekly updates on the Unit Schedule.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

Not applicable.

Unit information based on version 2023.03 of the Handbook