Studying online
There are now 3 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Units available in Online Restricted mode have been adapted for online study only for those students who require the unit to complete their studies and who are unable to attend campus owing to exceptional circumstances beyond their control. To be enrolled in a unit in Online Restricted mode, students should contact their Student Advising Office through askUWA
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This Unit provides intensive training in essential archaeological field skills. Students receive hands-on instruction before and after the field school and learn to: formulate a research design, satisfy all legal, safety and ethical compliances, conduct field surveys, create and use artefact and site recording forms, recognise and excavate stratified deposits, take samples for radiocarbon dating, use camera equipment, use survey equipment for site and topographical mapping, prepare and create section drawings, process finds, analyse finds, store finds, and publish results. During fieldwork students develop skills working in teams and with stakeholders such as land owners, Indigenous Australians, media, and the public. The final report is an output that can be listed on the student's professional CV.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode First year of offer Not available in 2023 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) develop research designs utilising key theoretical, practical, and ethical principles of archaeological field work; (2) use appropriate knowledge, skills, and methods to undertake and process basic archaeological surveying, excavation, sampling, and surface collection; (3) work in a team in field conditions in a safe, efficient, and ethical manner; and (4) create recording forms and field journals to professional standards.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-field exercises; (2) final Report; and (3) field Notebook. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Martin Porr
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- or
- Incompatibility
- Successful completion ofARCY3002 Doing Archaeology: Fieldschool
Approved quota: 30—selection is based on the weighted average mark (WAM). However, selection will guarantee a place to anyone needing to take the unit to complete their major. - Incidental fees
- Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available here or contact your Faculty Office).
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):Field School (within metro area) (estimated cost - up to $600). - Contact hours
- Field school: 7-12 days held in the mid-semester break
plus pre- and post-field school activities - Note
- The field work component runs for ~7-12 days, usually during the mid-semester break. Students should ensure that they are able to attend every day of the field school during these times. Students should not enroll for this unit if they are unable to attend each day of the fieldschool or the lecture-practicals before and after the fieldschool. This is a great Work Integrated Learning experience that teaches essential archaeological skills in a real-world situation. And it is fun!
There are incidental fees up to $600 for this unit to cover fieldwork-related costs for the running of the field school component.
This unit teaches skills and content that are recognised and can be recorded as Group A and/or Group B Skills according to the Australian Archaeology Skills Passport of the Australian Archaeological Association: https://australianarchaeologicalassociation.com.au/careers-resources/the-australian-archaeology-skills-passport/ .
If students anticipate difficulties in completing their fieldwork due to special circumstances (e.g. health reasons), they should contact the unit coordinator as soon as possible. Alternative arrangements may be possible in limited circumstances. - Texts
Burke, Heather, Michael Morrison and Claire Smith. 2017. The archaeologist's field handbook. Crow's Nest: Allen & Unwin.
Book is available in electronic and hard copy in Reid Library.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.