ARCH8002 is run as an intensive field course which aims to provide students with experience in excavation, stratigraphic recording, site planning, artefact recording and an understanding of the complex relationships between sites and the landscapes in which they occur. Emphasis is on learning and refining high level technical skills and understanding how these can be applied to better understand archaeological site formation processes and environmental management issues at the site scale, working in Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Due to logistical limitations, this course has a maximum enrolment of 10 students. These students will be selected based on short written statements submitted as part of the application process.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course students will have the knowledge and skills to:
* Plan and execute the design and delivery of a team research exercise in a remote area as a desk-top exercise.
* Acquire primary archaeological field data in georeferenced form to a high standard for archive purposes or research.
* Work to a high standard and safely within remote area conditions.
* Relate the significance of archaeological and environmental data from a site and its setting to local regional and national policy frameworks and issues of value and significance.
* Demonstrate understanding of community consultation and ethical considerations.
Additional Course Costs
Students are expected to organise and pay for their own airfares from Australia to Vanuatu return. There is a nominal $400.00 charge for the two weeks of accommodation and food on Aniwa Island.
Examination Material or equipment
Basic excavation equipment such as a trowel and handtape (3m) and a digital camera are recommended but not obligatory
Required Resources
Readings: Bedford, S., and M. Spriggs 2014. The archaeology of Vanuatu: 3000 years of history across islands of ash and coral. In E. Cochrane and T. Hunt (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Prehistoric Oceania. Oxford: Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199925070.013.
Flexner, J., S. Bedford, F. Valentin, R. Shing, T. Kuautonga and W. Zinger 2018. Preliminary Results of the South Vanuatu Archaeological Survey: Cultural Landscapes, Excavation, and Radiocarbon Dating. Asian Perspectives 57(2):244-266.
Recommended Resources
Taylor, J. and N. Thieberger (eds) 2011. Working Together in Vanuatu. Research Histories, Collaborations, Projects and Reflections. ANU E Press.
Balme, J. and A. Paterson (eds) 2014. Archaeology in Practice: A Student Guide to Archaeological Analyses. (second edition). Malden: Willey and Blackwell.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:- Written comments
- Verbal comments
- Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
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1 | This course is primarily based on an in-country archaeological fieldschool in Vanuatu. Students need to arrive in Vanuatu on the 30th of June. Monday, 1st of July will include a visit to the Vanuatu Museum and a full day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed site, Chief Roi Mata’s Domain (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1280). We will be on Aniwa Island from 2 to 16 July. The fieldschool ends upon your return to Port Vila, but given the international flight schedule you will need to spend at least more one night in Port Vila before your return flight to Australia (or wherever). A research project is completed following your return to Canberra | The generic learning outcomes and assessments for ARCH8002 vary from year to year according to the field location selected. This year (2019) the 6-unit assessment will include a key issue review paper/research project (35%); portfolio of data, field drawings, site recording forms, images, maps to a professional archive standard and self-reflective digital or written diaries of daily field experiences following field activities/discussions (55%) and group participation/OH&S assessments (10%). This will have a total word length equivalent to 4,000 words. The course will involve a pre-course briefing and 14 days field training. Assessment will be predominantly based on activities and work produced during the field course and the research project. |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
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Group Participation | 10 % | 16/07/2019 | 30/10/2019 | 1, 3, 5 |
Field Diary | 55 % | 20/07/2019 | 30/08/2019 | 2 |
Individual Research Project | 35 % | 30/08/2019 | 30/09/2019 | 4 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1, 3, 5
Group Participation
The fieldschool is a team exercise which requires collaboration and participation at all levels. It is in a remote area so logistics and health and safety aspects must be considered at all times. Group discussions will touch on these aspects.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 2
Field Diary
The field notebook or diary is a a self reflective written diary of daily field experiences following field activities/discussions. This is to be undertaken in the field. It is to be scanned and submitted soon after returning from the field. No extra time is expected to be spent on this notebook following the students return to Australia. It is to demonstrate your daily experiences and thought in relation to the fieldwork research
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 4
Individual Research Project
The key issue review paper/research project derives from a specific aspect of the fieldschool that interests the student. Time will be spent in the field collecting data and further analysis and write-up will be completed in Australia.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.Online Submission
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.Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.Late Submission
Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research InterestsArchaeological method and theory; materials analysis; Pacific archaeology, including Aotearoa/New Zealand pertaining to the early contact/historic period; archival and archaeological approaches to the reconstruction of cultural contact and engagement and transformation over time; Aotearoa/New Zealand and Pacific particularly Melanesian prehistory, the archaeology of ritual, exploration and colonisation of the Pacific, Politics and archaeology; Cultural Resource Management; indigenous archaeological perspectives and initiatives. |
Dr Stuart Bedford
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Dr Stuart Bedford
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