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ARCHAEOLOGY

Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: AGE1501, AGE1502
NQF Level: 6: AGE2601, AGE2602, APY2601
NQF Level: 7: AGE3701, AGE3702, AGE3703, AGE3704, AGE3705
Anthropology and Archaeology as combined majors:
NQF Level 5: APY1501, AGE1501, AGE1502
NQF Level 6: APY2601, APY2602, APY2613, AGE2601, AGE2602, GGH2603
NQF Level 7: APY3701, APY3702, APY3704, APY3705, APY3713, AGE3701, AGE3702, AGE3703, AGE3704, AGE3705

Prehistoric Rock Art - AGE3704
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: To introduce students to the prehistoric rock art of Africa (including the rock art of the San and southern Africa's Iron Age farmers), Western Europe, Australia and North America, and demonstrate its significance for understanding the religious beliefs and customs of early societies.
Archaeology and Human Evolution - AGE3705
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Pre-requisite: AGE1501, AGE1502
Recommendation: In the case of a student enrolling for NDP the pre-requisites can be waived, allowing the student to complete all undergraduate archaeology modules in a single year.
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the study of evolution in the context of the biological ancestry of our species. The students who qualify in this module will be able to give a broad overview of the concepts, theories and debates in human evolution. This module provides students with an ability to explore the evidence for human origins from the archaeological and fossil records that includes ancient and modern DNA studies with an emphasis on recent discoveries.
Theory and Interpretation in Archaeology - AGE4801
Honours Year module NQF level: 8 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of the module is to equip students with the analytical skills to critique the theoretical underpinnings of archaeological research.
Hunter-Gatherers and Herders in Africa - AGE4802
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: AGE4801
Purpose: To describe and evaluate the archaeology of hunter-gatherers and herders in Africa during the Stone Age.
Early African Farming Communities and Complex Societies - AGE4803
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: AGE4801
Purpose: To describe and evaluate the archaeology of early African farming communities and complex societies in sub-Saharan Africa.
Historical Archaeology - AGE4804
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: AGE4801
Purpose: To describe and evaluate the archaeology of the modern world in national and international contexts.
Managing Archaeological Heritage - AGE4805
Honours NQF level: 8 Credits: 24
Module presented in English Module presented online
Co-requisite: AGE4801
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to prepare students to do independent research; to become acquainted with current debates in the field of managing archaeological heritage; and to engage scientifically and critically with the existing statutory agencies and relevant legislation governing archaeological heritage management.
Introduction to Archaeology - AGE1501
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: This module introduces students to the subject of archaeology: its scope, aims, field methods, data collection and dating methods. Attention is given to the history of the discipline, archaeology's relationship with other fields of study and the classification and interpretation of archaeological data.
The Archaeology of Southern Africa - AGE1502
Under Graduate Degree Semester module NQF level: 5 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Purpose: This semester module will introduce students to the scope and nature of the archaeological record in southern Africa with reference to the methods and source materials that archaeologists use to reconstruct the lifeways of past people. The module uses case studies to explore the contributions that archaeology is making in answering key questions about the evolution and development of human society in southern Africa including: the emergence of anatomically and behaviourally modern humans; the long-term relationship between humans and the environment; the arrival in southern Africa of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists; the emergence of the state; and the process and consequences of culture contact and globalisation. The role of archaeology in southern African society and its changing socio-political context will also be examined.
Archaeological Fieldwork Techniques and Analytical Methods - AGE2601
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English
Recommendation: Students to complete AGE1501 before they enrol for this module
Purpose: Students will be exposed to the most important fieldwork techniques and analytical methods used by archaeologists, in southern Africa and elsewhere, to gain knowledge about past societies and the environments they interacted with. Module participants will critically analyse and engage with these methodologies through the in-depth discussion of case studies and a range of hands-on activities. Qualifying students understand the basic principles and steps of drawing up an archaeological research design and the work necessary to implement it.
African Archaeology - AGE2602
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 6 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: Students will be introduced to the nature and scope of the African archaeological record, exploring in particular the past lifeways of hunter-gatherers and pastoralists, as well as the emergence of towns, kingdoms and states among agriculturist societies, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa.
The Interpretation of Archaeological Data - AGE3701
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Pre-requisite: AGE1501 and AGE1502
Recommendation: In the case of a student enrolling for NDP the pre-requisites can be waived, allowing the student to complete all undergraduate archaeology modules in a single year.
Purpose: To gain insight into past and current theoretical perspectives in archaeology, and to demonstrate an understanding of the reconstruction of prehistoric technology, economic systems, diets, settlement patterns, social and political organization, religion, gender relations, and the interpretation of culture change in the past.
Applied Archaeology: Heritage Conservation, Cultural Resource Management and Archaeotourism - AGE3702
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce the student to applied archaeology, heritage conservation, cultural resource management (CRM) and archaeotourism. It is intended to give the student a broad overview of the legislation, concepts, and debates around heritage management. This module will explore the development of heritage resource management in southern Africa and equip students with the basic understanding of concepts, principles and issues involved around heritage management. Ultimately, this module aims to develop an awareness and sensitivity for cultural heritage resources, while developing an understanding of heritage legislation in South Africa.
World Archaeology - AGE3703
Under Graduate Degree Year module NQF level: 7 Credits: 12
Module presented in English Module presented online
Pre-requisite: AGE1501, AGE1502
Recommendation: In the case of a student enrolling for NDP the pre-requisites can be waived, allowing the student to complete all undergraduate archaeology modules in a single year.
Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce students to major themes in the study of human history and archaeology. By focusing on the archaeological evidence for early human migrations out of Africa, the adoption of agriculture, the development of early writing systems and the formation of early kingdoms and state societies, we explore the major cultural developments and adaptations that have shaped contemporary human society.