This course is designed to provide students with a practical introduction to basic archaeological field and laboratory methods. Its focus is on on techniques of excavation, archaeological stratigraphy, the recording of artefacts and the analysis and interpretation of structures, features and excavated materials. The course comprises field experience at a mock site on the ANU Campus.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. excavate an archaeological site and keep records;
2. inventory artefacts in the field;
3. map a site; and
4. create a field report.

Research-Led Teaching

ARCH2061 will see leading ANU academics who specialise in specific areas present their research and instruct students in practical activities. The topics presented are driven by their research and incorporate a broad range data that informs each presentation. The course is very focussed on research-led teaching and strives to present students the most up-to-date information possible.

Field Trips

On-Campus field work in a mock excavation area.

Additional Course Costs

None

Required Resources

Good boots, sunscreen, ruler, circular 360 protractor, mapping ruler (with conversions cm - m). Notebook.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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
1	Aims and Objectives; Assessment; Subject Format; Defining a Research Enquiry and the practicalities of research design	Archaeological Problem solving "The Vertical World of Cuimayo" from The Next Archaeological Workbook (in class exercise).
2	Artefact recognition Terminology Stratigraphy and recording Field basics/recording	Archaeological Problem solving "The Vertical World of Cuimayo" from The Next Archaeological Workbook (in class exercise).
3	Dumpy Use	In-Field Activities
4	Compass Use and mapping	In-Field Activities
5	Sampling and Bias Archaeological Survey Basics	In-Field Activities
6	CLASS TEST I	In-Field Activities
7	Stratigraphy and Principles of Recording Harris Matrix	In-Field Activities
8	Maps and Mapping (Guest Lecture Nick Scopal)	In-Field Activities
9	Maps and Mapping (Guest Lecture Nick Scopal)	In-Field Activities
10		In-Field Activities
11		In-Field Activities
12	CLASS TEST II	In-Field Activities

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Archaeological Problem Assignment	10 %	1, 4
Field Note Book	15 %	1-4
Site Report	40 %	1-4
Class Tests	35 %	1, 2

* 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 Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

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.

Participation

Participation in the field sessions which are weekly after week 2 are compulsory and last 3 hours.

Assessment Task 1

Archaeological Problem Assignment

Archaeological Problem -This is a hypothetical archaeological problem which you will work on in groups in the first two tutorials and then individually submit as an assignment. You may have a majority decision on how the problem should be answered or your interpretation may differ from the group (there is no 'right' answer) but you must justify your decision in the submitted work using the facts that are at hand.

Assessment Task 2

Field Note Book

Field Note Book – As this course focuses on the nature of archaeological field skills, the production of a field note book forms the major component of the assessment. You should simply record details of your excavation or other activities in this note book (no need to submit a typed version - the purpose is to teach you the value of thorough note-taking in an archaeological excavation. The field notes should include detailed notes of the excavation at ANUDig (for each student), outlining methodology, reasoning, plan drawings, section drawings etc.

Assessment Task 3

Site Report

Site Report - The core of the assessment will be the development of a field report which demonstrates the student’s ability to describe a site, create a reconnaissance survey plan, undertake several intensive recording activities, and produce a final report which brings these elements together.

It should be a summary report on what your interpretation of the unit represents in cultural terms. For your reference notes are provided elsewhere on the Wattle page to assist you in what this should look like.

Assessment Task 4

Class Tests

Class Tests - There are two in-class tests for the course that will assess your knowledge of what you have learned in lectures and in the field. These are scheduled for 30 minutes each.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to 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 be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, 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 Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. 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. Extensions may be granted 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