ARCH6005 Archaeology of the Pacific Islanders
| Offered By | School of Archaeology & Anthropology |
|---|---|
| Academic Career | Graduate Coursework |
| Course Subject | Archaeology |
| Offered in | First Semester, 2009 and First Semester, 2010 |
| Unit Value | 6 units |
| Course Description |
Critical examination of the archaeology of the Pacific Islands, spanning Melanesia (including the Island of New Guinea), Micronesia and Polynesia. The course examines the settlement of remote islands, and the subsequent cultural and environmental changes through to the period of early contact with European explorers, missionaries and traders. In this region there is evidence for open sea voyaging in the world, unique hunting and gathering adaptations to tropical rainforest environments, the mass extinction of species of birds and other vertebrates with initial human settlement on many islands, the development of over a quarter of the world's modern languages, and the construction of the mysterious Easter Island statues. |
| Learning Outcomes | Students will acquire knowledge of the archaeological evidence for the ancient settlement of the Pacific Islands, and the subsequent cultural changes that occurred within each major archipelago. They will also acquire analytical skills in relation to the interpretation of archaeological evidence and an understanding of the history of research into Pacific archaeology. |
| Indicative Assessment |
Indicative assessment: Tutorial attendance (10%), two 4000 word essays or projects (45% each).
|
| Workload |
Normally offered every year. |
| Course Classification(s) | AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs. |
| Areas of Interest | Archaeology |
| Requisite Statement | One First Year course to the value of 6 units in Arts or Asian Studies, or permission of the lecturer. |
| Prescribed Texts |
Kirch, P. On the Road of the Winds: an Archaeological History of the Pacific Islands before European Contact, University of California Press, 2002. |
| Preliminary Reading |
Spriggs, M. The Island Melanesians, Blackwell, 1997. |
| Academic Contact | Professor Matthew Spriggs |
The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.
