ANTHRO 746 : Special Topic: The Archaeology of the Anthroprocene

Arts

2022 Semester One (1223) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Calls for the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch, recognise long-term, consequential effects of human societies, regardless of size, economics or socio-political complexity, on environments, organisms and ecosystems. When did the Anthropocene begin? How do we track socio-natural interactions over deep time? What might the past offer the future? This course explores how archaeology contributes to these and related questions.

Course Overview

Calls for the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch, recognise multiple long-term, consequential effects of human societies, regardless of size, economics or socio-political complexity, on environments, organisms and ecosystems. When did the Anthropocene begin? How do we track socio-natural interactions over deep time? What might the past offer the future? This course explores how archaeology contributes to these and related questions through recent programmatic literature and case studies from around the world.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Master of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop a good knowledge of the general goals and scope of archaeological research related to the Anthropocene, including familiarity with multiple case studies (Capability 1.3 and 2.1)
  2. Develop a basic understanding of the analytical issues that affect data quality and interpretations (Capability 3.2)
  3. Experience with oral presentations and public speaking (Capability 4.1)
  4. Enhanced academic literacy and experience with written expression (Capability 4.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay 35% Individual Coursework
Project 35% Individual Coursework
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
These are likely assessment types but subject to modification. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point graduate seminar and students are expected to spend at least 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. For this course, you can expect 2 hours of seminar. Additionally you will need to spend several hours on course readings and thinking about the content of the readings in preparation for the seminar. The amount of time for specific tasks will vary between individuals according to their background, prior experience in a given area, and personal commitment but it is fair to say that the more time you put into preparation, the more you'll get out of the seminar meeting. An appropriate amount of time will be required for assignments as well. As a post-graduate student you will need to develop effective time management skills and  make decisions about time allocation. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including seminars to complete/receive credit for components of the course.
Seminars will not be available as recordings. The seminar is scheduled as a weekly block delivery.

This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2022.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

This course is a post-graduate seminar and will not be recorded. In person attendance is required.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Students should be aware that this course requires oral presentations and active seminar participation. 

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2021 03:34 p.m.