ARCH8410 Archaeology of the First Australians GE

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Overview

The archaeology of Indigenous Australia is structured to introduce major debates in the prehistory and history of Greater Australia or Sahul (Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania). The focus of study is Greater Australia because for the majority of the period of human occupation (debated to extend to 60-40,000 years ago), this area was one land mass. The first set of lectures and tutorials focus on major debates concerning the origins of Indigenous Australians, timing of first settlement, megafaunal extinctions and environmental transformations. The second set moves forward from deep history to consider the different Holocene prehistories of Australia and New Guinea, the social and environmental impacts of European colonisation, Indigenous perspectives on archaeological knowledge and practice, and the politics of archaeological practice in contemporary Australia. These substantive and ethical issues are central to understanding the role of archaeology in contemporary Australian society.

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Tuition pattern

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Aims

This topic aims to:

Introduce students to major debates in Australian prehistory
Give students an awareness of the variety of perspectives on Australia's past
Give students an awareness of the ethical dimensions of problems and issues in Indigenous Australian archaeology
Teach students how to critically evaluate how Indigenous Australian archaeology is presented in the media
Help students develop practical skills in Indigenous archaeology
Help students develop skills that are important at University and in the workplace, such as computer skills and the ability to collaborate on research projects
Give a chronological overview of the Indigenous history of Australia

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:

Describe the major techniques used in Indigenous Australian archaeology

Outline a chronological overview of the Indigenous history of Australia

Apply critical thinking skills

Develop and awareness of the ethical dimensions of problems and issues in Indigenous Australian archaeology

Critically evaluate how Indigenous Australian archaeology is presented in the media

Apply specific skills that are important at university and in the workplace such as communication skills and the ability to collaborate on research projects

Assessments

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Requisites information

Pre-requisites:

1 Admission into GCCHM-Graduate Certificate in Cultural Heritage Management
1a Admission into MMARCH-Master of Maritime Archaeology
1b Admission into GCARCH-Graduate Certificate in Archaeology
1c Admission into GDPSM-Graduate Diploma in Screen and Media Production
1d Admission into MSM-Master of Screen and Media Production
1e Admission into GDPAHM-Graduate Diploma in Archaeology and Heritage Management
1f Admission into MAHM-Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management
1g Admission into MAHMA-Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management [1.5 years]
1h Admission into MSMA-Master of Screen and Media Production [1 year]
1i Admission into MSMI-Master of Screen and Media Production [1.5 years]
1j Admission into GDPMA-Graduate Diploma in Maritime Archaeology

Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f or 1g or 1h or 1i or 1j))

Anti-requisites:

Handbook

Archaeology of the First Australians GE

ARCH8410