ARCH8409 Issues in Australian Rock Art

2018

4.5

1 x 1-hour independent study weekly
1 x 3-hour on-line exercises weekly

1 Admission into GCARCH-Graduate Certificate in Archaeology
1a Admission into GCMA-Graduate Certificate in Maritime Archaeology
1b Admission into GDPMA-Graduate Diploma in Maritime Archaeology
1c Admission into GDPAHM-Graduate Diploma in Archaeology and Heritage Management
1d Admission into MAHM-Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management
1e Admission into MAHMA-Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management [1.5 years]
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e))

1 of ARCH3016, ARCH3206, ARCH8505 has been successfully completed

Issues in Australian Rock Art focuses on the significance, extent, and heritage values of rock art in Australia. The content of this topic integrates data relating to Australian rock art with important concepts in archaeological and anthropological theory, method and analysis. The topic outlines many of the ways in which the archaeological study of art in Australia leads the world in method and theory. The social, ethical and political dimensions of working with rock art and its custodians are integral to this topic, as is an understanding of the close disciplinary links between the anthropological and archaeological study of art.

This topic aims to:

• provide students with an overview of the major types of Australian rock art and their geographic and chronological distribution

• provide students with an overview of the role of rock art in Australia's past

• promote student understanding of Indigenous peoples relationship with rock art

• give students an understanding of the ability of art studies to document changes in human behaviour, technology, economy and ideology

• help students become familiar with the major techniques used in the archaeological study of art

• help students improve their ability to decide whether rock art theories are supported, or undermined, by data

• promote an awareness of the ethical dimensions of studying cultural materials in Australia

• help students develop skills that are important at University and in the workplace, such as communication skills and the ability to work in groups

• promote student identification as part of a wider Australian and international community of rock art scholars

On completion of this topic students will be able to:

• identify the major forms of Australian rock art and their geographical and chronological distribution

• demonstrate an understanding of the role that rock art may have played in peoples' lives in Australia's past

• undertake ethical and culturally appropriate rock art research with Indigenous communities in Australia

• demonstrate an understanding of the methods for determining chronology of rock art traditions

• demonstrate an understanding of a variety of rock art recording techniques

• identify as part of a wider Australian and international community of rock art scholars