Module ARCH2131: ARCHAEOLOGY OF MEDIEVAL AND POST-MEDIEVAL BRITAIN IN ITS EUROPEAN CONTEXT

Department: ARCHAEOLOGY

ARCH2131: ARCHAEOLOGY OF MEDIEVAL AND POST-MEDIEVAL BRITAIN IN ITS EUROPEAN CONTEXT

Prerequisites

• From Roman Empire to Nation State (ARCH1101) OR Introduction to Archaeology (ARCH1071).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To enable students to gain a broad understanding of (a) the archaeological information and historical information for Medieval and Post-Medieval societies in Britain, in the context of European neighbours and European colonial expansion.
• and (b) current theories and debates about this evidence.

Content

• This module considers the character of Medieval and Post-Medieval societies in selected regions of Britain through their material culture.
• the relationships between Britain and continental neighbours and the colonial expansion of these entities, within the period c.AD400-c.AD1800.
• The evidence for changes in settlement, landscape, architecture, social, economic and political organisation, and religious practice, craft, industry and exchange within this period is examined using a range of case studies, whilst recent changes to our understanding are assessed through an evaluation of this archaeological information in its wider historical context.

Learning Outcomes

• At the end of the module, the student will have: Developed a sound knowledge of a range of artefacts, sites, and landscapes in the defined geographical areas.
• Related this evidence to a wider framework.
• Interpreted this information in the context of recent theoretical developments.

• Develop critical understanding of the evidence for and character of medieval and post-medieval societies in Britain

• Develop competence in a wide range of transferable skills including reading, assimilating, investigating and criticising complex data and interpretations

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
• Lectures will ensure the effective communication of key information and theoretical ideas.
• seminars will provide closer engagement with the material and its interpretation.
• The short answer section of the exam will test students' grasp of critical information, whilst the unseen essay will test their ability to evaluate current ideas and debates.
• students' abilities to analyse data and place it in a wider framework of understanding will be assessed by the evidence-based essay.
• Self guided learning

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Preparation of an essay summarising the evidence for a particular topic and the main problems with the data (1,500 words) submitted in the Michaelmas term.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University