Interpreting Material Culture (ANCW20028)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Summer Term
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Artefacts (ceramics, metals, glass, coins etc.) are collected in great abundancy during archaeological fieldwork and constitute the most important source to obtain insight into the functioning and lifeways of past societies. Not only do they generally inform chronological frameworks, but they provide information on ancient trade and commerce; foodways; (cultural) identity and technological innovation.

By focusing on the main civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean (and partially drawing on the Melbourne antiquities collection), this summer-intensive is a practical subject that introduces students to the interpretation possibilities of everyday items; acquaints them with different specialist fields that engage with ancient artefacts (archaeological conservation, museums), and teaches them essential skills (such as archaeological drawing and documentation and how to make their own ceramics!).

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:

  • Appreciate the importance of material culture in understanding ancient societies and their lifeways
  • Develop practical skills in working with and interpreting material culture
  • Measure on how archaeological artefacts are collected, recorded, analysed and presented
  • Evaluate various theoretical and methodological approaches used in the interpretation of material culture, and assess their strengths, limitations, and potential biases
  • Interpret diverse forms of material culture, such as pottery, glass, metal and stone tools to gain insights into the social, economic, political, and cultural aspects of ancient societies.

Generic skills

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:

  • Develop critical thinking skills to analyse and evaluate concepts, beliefs, considering multiple perspectives, and supporting evidence
  • Communicate effectively in writing and synthesis an argument in cogent form
  • Evaluate the impact of social, ethical, and cultural contexts
  • Acquire greater confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems
  • Reflect on the communication conventions of another culture
  • Conduct independent research and effectively manage information. 

 

Last updated: 4 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

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: 4 April 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Report

  • 1000 words
Second week of the teaching period25%

Poster

  • 1000 words (equivalent)
During the assessment period25%

Final essay

  • 2000 words
During the assessment period50%
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures.Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. Throughout the semesterN/A

Last updated: 4 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Summer Term
    CoordinatorGijs Tol
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours30 hours: 1 x 1-hour lecture per day, and 1 x 2-hour workshop per day over the intensive period.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 3 February 2025 to 14 February 2025
    Last self-enrol date 5 February 2025
    Census date14 February 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail21 February 2025
    Assessment period ends 2 March 2025

    Summer Term contact information

    Associate Professor Gijs Tol: gijs.tol@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 April 2025