ATS3543 · Australia's ancient Indigenous past: A 65,000 year archaeological odyssey

Overview

In this unit, you will examine the range of techniques and theoretical frameworks used by archaeologists to understand Australia's 65,000-year plus Indigenous history. The focus will be archaeological sites and debates associated with the interpretation of excavated cultural materials. Topics covered include the origins of the First Peoples of Australia (including Torres Strait Islanders), processes of continental colonisation, responses to environmental and sea level change, broad-scale social changes, and encounters with Makassan traders and European colonists on the frontier. You will also examine long-term changes in the development of trading networks, rock art and social organisation.

Areas of study: Archaeology and ancient history Indigenous cultures and histories

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. identify and explain the broad range of techniques used by archaeologists to infer behaviour from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural sites and material culture;
2. critically evaluate major debates and contentious theoretical issues in Australian Indigenous archaeology;
3. analyse and discuss key cultural changes over the past 65,000 years of Australia's Indigenous past;
4. recognise and explain the diversity of Indigenous Australians who in different parts of the continent developed different cultures and lifeways;
5. appraise debates concerning the origins of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders from an archaeological perspective;
6. communicate and collaborate with peers in a learning community.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.