Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Social Science School
ARCS3010 provides intensive training in all the major components of archaeological field research, from research design to excavation, laboratory analysis and report writing, using a simulated field excavation project at the ATARC site on campus. Students must have met all course pre-requisites and be enrolled in their final year prior to enrolling in this course.
Course Content: ARCS3010 provides training in the key elements of archaeological field-based research and excavation. Students learn methods and techniques of field research design, excavation, stratigraphic interpretation, data recording, GIS analysis, and report writing. This learning is accomplished through self-paced online modules and a field excavation project undertaken at the Archaeology Teaching and Research Centre (ATARC) on campus (located in the Alumni Gardens near the UQ Lakes Bus Stop). The course is designed for 3rd year archaeology students who have passed all 2000-level courses required for the BA Archaeology Extended Major/BSc Archaeological Science Major and it is geared towards preparing them for postgraduate research (4th Year Honours & beyond) and/or careers in professional archaeology. As such ARCS3010 demands a significantly higher level of scholarship than 2000-level undergraduate archaeology courses. Students are strongly encouraged to not take this course until they are 3rd year equivalent in archaeology.
Course Scope: ARCS3010 Field Archaeology is a 2-unit 3rd-level course required for the Bachelor of Arts Extended Major in Archaeology and Bachelor of Science Major in Archaeological Science.
Course Structure: ARCS3010 is taught in intensive mode between Weeks 1–9 of Semester 2. The course has three main learning components:
1.ﾠOnline learning modules (via Extend on Blackboard) provide the theory and method of key areas of archaeological field practice, and also introduce students to the basics of using GIS (using QGIS) to prepare maps and display spatial data collected during the ATARC excavation. The online modules are available on Blackboard from Week 1 onwards and the first six modules should be completed before the first practical class takes place at the ATARC.
2.ﾠPractical classes at the ATARC (Building 56J) are focused on the excavation of a simulated archaeological site, which students undertake in small groups. The ATARC pracs are held fromﾠWeeks 4–7.
3.ﾠ Practical sessions in the Archaeology Teaching Laboratory (Michie 325) are held in Weeks 8 and 9. These allow for students to undertake an in-class exam, to analyse the finds and other data from their excavation, and for each group to share their findings with the class.ﾠ
A welcome session to the course will also be held online via zoom in Week 1. See the course timetable for the exact dates/times for all class activities and keep an eye out on Blackboard/email for notifications of any changes.
Please note that this course has a significant practical component focused on the excavation of a simulation archaeological site. In order to meet the Learning Objectives of this course, attendance and participation in the practicals is an inherent requirement and are therefore compulsory. The major assessment for the course is a Field Report (worth 50% of the final mark), which is based on the Field Notes (worth 15% of the final mark) collected during the weekly ATARC excavation and the practical sessions in the laboratory. Medical certificates or other acceptable exemption must be provided to account for any missed attendance at these practical classes (emailed to: student.socsci@uq.edu.au). Marks will be penalised from the Field Notes for missed attendance without a medical certificate as outlined in the Assessment section below. If students miss 2 or more practical classes, they are highly encouraged to withdraw from the course. Please refer to the University Academic Calendar to identify due dates to withdraw without academic or financial penalty. If you have any concerns during semester about missed attendance, please discuss it with your Course Coordinator (a.crowther@uq.edu.au). As a courtesy to your excavation group, please also notify the Course Coordinator if you will be absent from any of the practical classes.
Course Communication: ﾠAll communication will be via Announcements on Blackboard or your student email account, so please check both regularly. Email the Course Coordinator (a.crowther@uq.edu.au) to make an appointment if you need to meet outside of class times. My preferred consultation times will be listed on Blackboard.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This is a 3000 level Archaeology course designed for students in their final year of undergraduate study.ﾠ The course assumesﾠ a high level of archaeological background knowledge.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
10 units of ARCA or ARCS courses including ARCA1000 and ARCS1001
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ARCA3010
Course contact
Course coordinator
School enquiries
Student Enquiries School of Social Science
Level 3, Michie Building (09), St Lucia campus, The University of Queensland.
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email the School of Social Science Administration Team at student.socsci@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details: full name, student ID, and course code.
Aims and outcomes
The main objectives of ARCS3010 are to:
- Provide students with an introduction to contemporary Field Archaeology with an emphasis on excavation techniques. Students will become familiar with the main reasons that archaeologists do fieldwork and excavate sites and the associated ethics, review the concept of the field research design, and learn the various methods and techniques employed in excavation at a level above that taught in 2000-level subjects.
- Allow students to develop archaeological field skills within a controlled environment.
- Equip students with the skills and opportunity to produce an archaeological excavation report.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Show familiarity with the basic concepts that underpin the discipline of archaeology, particularly the concepts and methods used in collecting, analysing and interpreting archaeological field data
LO2.
Understand and apply archaeological fieldwork techniques including excavation, recording, and sampling
LO3.
Work as an archaeological team member
LO4.
Prepare well written archaeological reports
LO5.
Understand and apply the ethics of archaeological practice
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notebook/ Logbook |
Field Notes
|
15% |
8/09/2025 3:00 pm |
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Peer Evaluation
|
Required for Field Notes |
12/09/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
In-Class Exam
|
35% |
15/09/2025 9:00 am |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Excavation Report | 50% |
27/10/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Field Notes
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
8/09/2025 3:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor, Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Completion of group excavation notes including all fieldwork notes, recording forms, registers, and photographs from the ATARC excavation. The field notes are completed IN CLASS during the ATARC practicals, and are submitted to the Course Co-ordinator at the end of each practical class. They are NOT taken home or able to be worked on outside of class time. The final notes are submitted for marking at the end of the final ATARC class in Week 7. The notes are completed in small groups (excavation teams) of 4-8 students depending on class size. Students must work together in groups to ensure all field notes are completed and accurate. Field Notes are marked on a group basis and each student's individual mark is then calculated by multiplying the group mark by their Peer Assessment Factor (PAF) following the guidelines set out in the Peer Evaluation assessment item. This assessment item is cumulatively worth 15 marks (3.75marks x 4). If a student is absent from the practical classes without an acceptable reason and therefore cannot contribute to fieldnotes, the student cannot gain marks for that weeks’ fieldnotes contribution (3.75marks).
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
AI Use: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Field Notes are to be submitted at the end class in Week 7. The notes cannot to be taken home at any stage during the semester. They can only be worked on during class time.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
There are no extensions or deferrals available for the Field Notes. They are completed in class during the ATARC practical classes.
Peer Evaluation
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Required for Field Notes
- Due date
12/09/2025 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L03
Task description
A Peer Assessment Factor (PAF) is a score that assesses the contribution made by each group member to the group’s field notes according to the extent of their participation in the excavation and recording of the excavation notes. Each student must evaluate all group members’ contribution using the online Peer Evaluation form on Blackboard. The scores are confidential and not shared with the group members. Forms must be completed by each student and will be available on Blackboard after the end of class in Week 7 and must be submitted by the due date.
Individual peer assessment scores will be calculated using the following formula:
A student’s PAF = ∑ scores from peer evaluation forms divided by 100
The PAF is then used to adjust each student's individual mark for the Field Notes as follows:
- For PAFs > 1.1: Individual mark for assignment = 1.1 x Group mark (i.e. maximum of 10% mark-up) to a maximum of 15 marks total for the Field Notes;
- For PAFs ≤ 1.1: Individual mark for assignment = PAF x Group mark (i.e. a mark directly proportional to the contribution as assessed by self and peers collectively). Students who receive a PAF score of less than 0.7 may be given an opportunity to provide appropriate explanations about their low level of contribution from the groups’ perspective.
The Course Co-ordinator can moderate the PAF to ensure fairness.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Submission guidelines
This assessment will be completed online, instructions will be provided.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions beyond 7 calendar days are not allowed as peer evaluations are required from all students in a group in order to calculate each student's individual Field Notes assessment mark. Failure to complete this task in a timely manner will delay other students from receiving their Field Notes mark and feedback.
Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.
A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process.
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
In-Class Exam
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
15/09/2025 9:00 am
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05
Task description
Students will be tested on their knowledge and understanding of course content covering material from the online learning modules, required readings, and in-class activities. Questions will take a range of formats, including multiple choice, mix-and-match, true/false, short response (1-2 marks each) and long response (up to 5 marks each). The exam will be completed during class time via Inspera eAssessment using the students' own laptops (devices can be provided if necessary). Practice quizzes will be available prior to the in-class exam to familiarise students with the Inspera interface and the range of question types.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
AI Use: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
The exam will be completed during class time via Inspera eAssessment using the students' own laptops (devices can be provided if necessary).
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
You can request a deferred exam if you can provide evidence of unavoidable circumstances that prevented you from sitting your original exam at its scheduled date and time. Your application must include supporting evidence. The request will be assessed based on the evidence you provide when you apply.
An application on the basis of a Student Access Plan (SAP) alone will not be accepted. If you are applying on medical grounds, a medical practitioner must assess your condition and provide a signed medical certificate that covers the day of the examination. You must obtain a medical certificate no later than two business days after the date of the original examination. Further details of acceptable evidence for deferred examination can be found here.
For information on eligibility and application instructions, please view the following page on myUQ: Deferring an exam - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Excavation Report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
27/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05
Task description
Excavation report covering all aspects of the ATARC excavation. This assessment is completed individually (NOT in excavation groups) and requires the compilation of the data drawn from a background literature review and the primary data recorded during the excavation to form a final excavation report. Rather than being purely descriptive, this report will also include critical evaluation and interpretation of this material. The word limit for this assignment is 3500 ± 10% words. Additional details on how to prepare the report will be provided via Blackboard/Inspera.
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Use of AI: this task has been designed to be challenging, authentic, and complex. Successful completion of this assessment will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. To pass, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools. AI may be used only for simple tasks including spell-checking, grammar-checking, and translation. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Additional resources are available through UQ AI Student Hub.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.
Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted.
By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own.
You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic.
Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.
A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process.
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ.
Additional assessment information
Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/
School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments
Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.
Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Online Learning Modules are available on the course Blackboard site.
You don't need any special equipment for the ATARC excavation – we provide trowels, sieves, gloves, and all the equipment you need. Bring your own stationery (pens, pencils, eraser, ruler). Please wear sun-safe, loose fitting clothing suitable for excavation (clothing that's easy to bend over and crouch down in for long periods without being uncomfortable), hat, sunnies, sunscreen, and closed in shoes (lightweight joggers are fine, no need for heavy hiking boots!).
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 3 |
Not Timetabled |
Weeks 1–3: Online Modules #1-6 Complete online learning modules. Topics covered are: (1) What is Field Archaeology (and introduction to Research Design). (2) Finding Sites. (3) Stratigraphy. (4) Excavation and Recovery. (5) ATARC methods. (6) Spatial data. (Note: Modules 1–6 should be completed before the first practical class at the ATARC. Additional modules covering GIS analysis will be made available later in the course). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05 |
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 1: Course Introduction (Zoom check-in) Join me/Caiti on Zoom in Week 1 for a Course Introduction. This is a chance to ask any questions about the course before we formally meet in Week 4. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 4 To Week 7 |
Practical |
Weeks 4–7: ATARC Excavation Site excavation at the ATARC. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 9 |
Not Timetabled |
Weeks 6–9: Online Module #7 (GIS) Module 7 comprises a series of QGIS activities including: (i) Creating a locality map of the ATARC and other sites in the Moreton Region. (ii) Creating a contour map of the ATARC site. (iii) Plotting artefact proveniences and creating heat maps using total station data collected during the ATARC excavation. (iv) Georeferencing and rectifying excavation photos. (v) Preparing and presenting GIS data in your final Excavation Report. Instructions on how to download and install QGIS are included in the module. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 8 To Week 9 |
Practical |
Weeks 8–9: Finds Analysis and Group Presentation Work in your groups to analyse your ATARC finds. At the end of Week 9, each group will give a short informal presentation to the class about their excavation results and interpretations. Class Location: Michie 325 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
General contact hours |
Week 8: In-Class Exam Examination of content from the online modules and required readings, and the application of general concepts and knowledge across all course content. Exam Location: Michie 325 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course: