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Archaeoastronomy (PHYC20017)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Ancient and Indigenous cultures of the world developed knowledge systems and constructed monuments that reflect ancient understandings of the Sun, Moon, and stars. The Sun and night sky played an important role in ritual, ceremony, power structures, architecture, and social development. Today, much of this knowledge is restricted to the material record in the form of artefacts, rock art, stone arrangements, and monuments, paying particular reference to the local landscape and skyscape. This subject will introduce students to the inter-discipline of archaeoastronomy (a branch of cultural astronomy) with respect to the astronomical knowledge and material culture of ancient Indigenous cultures around the world, focusing on the ancient cultures, such as Mesoamerica, the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, east Asia, and Africa. The subject will provide a rigorous study of the ancient developments of astronomy while offering reflections on cross-cultural studies of science.
Central questions are Why did ancient peoples develop monuments and stone arrangements to link to important celestial events? What are some of the earliest recorded accounts of astronomical knowledge and what does this tell us about ancient uses of astronomy? What role did astronomy play in the power and politics of large civilisations, such as those of the ancient Egyptians, Maya, Aztecs, and Inca? How were buildings constructed to observe important celestial markers? What are the theoretical frameworks of archaeoastronomy? What tools can we use to rigorously critique fringe claims and challenge pseudoscience operating under the guise of archaeoastronomy?
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Develop a foundational theoretical understanding and knowledge of current research, debates, and practices in archaeoastronomy with respect to ancient cultures from a multidisciplinary perspective
- Critically analyse theories in archaeoastronomy through debate and evidence-based research
- Evaluate the methodological approaches and techniques informing archaeoastronomy, drawing from cultural, political, archaeological, and statistical frameworks and practices
- Evaluate and critique fringe ideas and pseudoscientific claims in archaeoastronomy
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have developed the following generic skills:
- Apply problem-solving skills to analyse and critique ideas in interdisciplinary scholarship
- Develop analytical skills to conduct independent research including the appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument
- Demonstrate ethical integrity in written work and classroom activities
- Develop effective communication and presentation skills (written and oral), and the ability to collaborate constructively within the classroom
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
It is strongly recommended that students have a background in astronomy or archeology, or have completed either one of the following subjects:
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Critical Essay
| Week 4 | 25% |
Mid Semester Test
| Week 6 | 12.5% |
Final Week Test
| Week 12 | 12.5% |
Major Essay
| During the examination period | 50% |
Additional details
This Dual-Delivery subject has On Campus assessment components.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Duane Hamacher Coordinator Gerhard Wiesenfeldt Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022
Time commitment details
One 1000-word assignment, due Week 4, weighted 25% (requiring approximately 25-hours of work) One 30-minute mid-semester quiz, undertaken in Week 6, weighted 12.5% (requiring approximately 12.5-hours of work each) One 30-minute end-of-semester quiz, undertaken in Week 10, weighted 12.5% (requiring approximately 12.5-hours of work) One 2000-word exam, due in the examination period, weighted 50% (requiring approximately 50-hours of work)
Additional delivery details
This Dual-Delivery subject has On Campus assessment components.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Kelley, D and Milone, E, 2011, Exploring Ancient Skies - An Encyclopedic survey of Archaeoastronomy. Springer.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024