ATS4257 Interpreting the past through archaeology
Faculty of Arts
ATS4257 Interpreting the past through archaeology is a level 4, 12-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Arts, offered in 2020 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 12
- Offered in 2020
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Workload
- 288 hours
- per semester
This is the 2020 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
No reviews yetNo reviews yet. Be the first to review ATS4257.
Overview
This honours unit explores the methodology used in the interpretation and assessment of archaeological and historical data. We examine the range of data available for advanced research, their relative reliability and accessibility, and the various methods used to analyse textual and material cultural evidence. We learn how to use archaeological reports to obtain the maximum amount of data while understanding the technicalities of stratigraphy and phasing, and how to critically evaluate texts in original languages and in translation to build arguments about the past. We also review the various theoretical approaches used to study the ancient world. Students are guided in how to create spreadsheets, databases, and data visualizations to expedite their data collection for archaeological and historical research.
Offerings in 2020
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Apply available research methodologies and analytical tools to collect and evaluate data.
- 2
Critically appraise the reliability of source materials.
- 3
Identify and appraise the various interpretations of data that have been offered by scholars.
- 4
Be aware of the impact of contemporary ideology and religious beliefs on the interpretation of the ancient past.
- 5
Use archaeological and historical data to present a detailed analytical discussion of a specific research question.
Workload and teaching
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 288 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
Where it fits
ATS4257 is part of 1 area of study in the 2020 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Hilary Gopnik
- Dr Jessie Birkett-Rees
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Jessie Birkett-Rees
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ATS4257?
ATS4257 has no prerequisites.
When is ATS4257 offered?
In 2020, ATS4257 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is ATS4257?
The handbook expects about 288 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Which majors and minors include ATS4257?
ATS4257 is part of Archaeology and ancient history.