ARC1010 - Themes in World Archaeology
2015/6 Module description
| Staff | Dr Gillian Juleff - Convenor |
|---|---|
| Credit Value | 15 |
| ECTS Value | 7.5 |
| NQF Level | 6 |
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Duration of Module | Term 1: 11 weeks; |
Module description
What developments shaped human history and how are they manifested in the Archaeological record? This module will explore major overarching patterns of human behaviour and social change, from the earliest evidence for tool-making, through the emergences of cities and complex societies, to the global configurations of the colonial and post-colonial era. Using examples and case studies from across the world, the module will introduce the archaeological evidence that has elucidated these patterns, including many key sites, projects and archaeologists.
Module aims
The module introduces students to the major recurrent themes that form the foundation of archaeological research and are archaeology's contribution to understanding human and social development.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Develop an awareness of global patterns in Archaeology
- 2. Become familiar with many major archaeological sites and projects
- 3. Develop an understanding of how the synthesises and interpretation of archaeological evidence can inform thematic debates
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. Assimilate a basic understanding of the chronology and character of human development
- 5. Appreciate the role archaeology plays in understanding human and social development
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 6. Research a topic using a reading list and assimilate data from given sources
- 7. Develop basic academic and library skills
- 8. Learn how to reference in Harvard style
- 9. Meet deadlines, manage their own time; contribute to group work and class discussions
Syllabus plan
Indicative topics
- Becoming and being human
- Hunter-gatherer lifeways and societies
- Domestication, pastoralism and the origins of agriculture
- Settlement and beginnings of urbanization
- Belief systems, ritual and burial practices
- Technology, trade and economy
- Social complexity: why and how societies develop, thrive and decline
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning activity | 20 | 10 x 2 hour classes |
| Scheduled learning activity | 2 | 4 x 0.5 group discussions |
| Guided independent study | 128 | Guided independent study, including reading, research and preparation for classes, presentation and assignments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 500 words | 1-4 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 2000 words | 1-8 | Written |
| Exam (electronic) | 50 | 1.5 hours |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2000 word essay | 1-8 | Refer/Defer period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Bogucki, P. 1999: The Origins of Human Society. Oxford: Blackwell.
Cunliffe, B. (ed.) 1994: Prehistoric Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Darvill, T. 2010: Prehistoric Britain. Routledge
Fagan, B.M. 1998: People of the Earth (9th edition). London: Pearson.
Scarre, C. (ed.) 2005: The Human Past: World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies (2nd Edition). London: Thames and Hudson.
Renfrew, C and Bahn, P. (2014). The Cambridge World Prehistory. Cambridge UP.
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
30/06/2014
Last revision date
18/06/2014
Key words search
Archaeology, Themes, World
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