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:
- Varies depending on the specific topic offered and will be described in the Other Information section for each new class when it is added.
Research-Led Teaching
This field school provides experience working on an archaeological research project collaboratively with Traditional Owners, a renowned professional cultural heritage consultancy (Heritage Insight), local communities, landowners, and as part of a team to learn field techniques (excavation, survey, recording, mapping) and to engage with the process of research design and cultural heritage management. You will also learn linguistic and anthropological approaches to research and will have the opportunity to develop research questions, apply appropriate field methods, and interpret collected raw data.
Field Trips
Day or half day field trips to cultural sites near the field school location.
Additional Course Costs
A nominal amount of $1000 per student to cover accommodation, food, and transport for the duration of the field school. Amount may be reduced depending on final arrangements.
Examination Material or equipment
Basic excavation equipment such as a trowel (WHS or Marshalltown), handtape (3m), and a digital camera recommended but not obligatory.
Required Resources
A reading list will be made available on Wattle before course commencement
Recommended Resources
A reading list will be made available on Wattle before course commencement
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.Other Information
Class Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1) Plan and implement a team-based research fieldwork exercise
2) Acquire primary field data to a high standard for archival and research purposes.
3) Work safely and to a high standard within a fieldwork setting.
4) Relate the cultural value and research significance of collected data from a site and its setting to local, national, and international communities.
5) Demonstrate the importance of community consultation and the ethical considerations of working in a cross-cultural setting.
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | This is an intensive hands-on undergraduate field school run over 2-weeks in September (5th-19th) 2021 to investigate an aboriginal and historic cultural heritage landscape on the stunning Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. The fieldschool is run in partnership with Heritage Insight, a leading Melbourne-based archaeology consultancy, and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, the traditional land owners. A compulsory pre-fieldwork seminar will be held on Friday 3rd September. The course will be held jointly with ASIA2220 (Asia-Pacific In Country Learning). Enrolment will be limited to 15. Selection will be based on a written statement outlining how this course will benefit the students study and career aspirations, and evaluation of course marks to date. | Assessment will include: Participation in a pre-fieldwork seminar (10%), Fieldwork portfolio (30%), Field diary/short report (30%), and Research essay (30%) |
Tutorial Registration
There are no tutorials
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|
Pre-fieldwork seminar participation | 10 % | 1,3,5 |
Fieldwork portfolio | 30 % | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Field diary/short report | 30 % | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Individual research project | 30 % | 1,2,3,4,5 |
* 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.Participation
As the learning outcomes will be completed in the field participation is mandatory. Early departure for personal reasons can be arranged but requires co-ordination with the Convenor.
Examination(s)
There is no formal exam at the end of this course.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,3,5
Pre-fieldwork seminar participation
Attend a fieldschool planning workshop/seminar on the ANU campus. Participate in team discussions on research strategy, planning, consultancy, and preparation of a Health and Safety assessment.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
Fieldwork portfolio
Portfolio of data, field drawings, site recording forms, images, maps to a professional archive standard.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
Field diary/short report
Completion of a daily field diary outlining activities completed each day and a self reflective account of field experiences, to be developed into a summary field report of the activities completed during the field school, and important finds made.
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
Individual research project
A substantive research project (4000 words) relating to an aspect of the fieldwork. Primary data collected in the field can be used in this project. Project topic to be developed by the student in the field in discussion with the course convenor.
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.Returning Assignments
The assessment mark and comments on your written assignments will be provided electronically by viewing the Wattle/Turnitin submitted pdf.
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.Resubmission of Assignments
Due to time constraints, there is no capacity to resubmit assignments.
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
![]() |
|
|||
Research InterestsPacific archaeology, with a focus on Papua New Guinea and New Zealand from colonisation to historic contexts; Cultural heritage management; the social process of migration and cultural development; Material culture studies; Community engagement and perspectives on history |
Dr Ben Shaw
![]() |
|
Instructor
![]() |
|
|||
Research Interests |
Dr Ben Shaw
![]() |
|