Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module ARCH40330: THEORY AND METHOD IN LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY

Department: Archaeology

ARCH40330: THEORY AND METHOD IN LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 30 Availability
Tied to F4K007

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • Students will acquire a grounding in the theoretical principles underlying approaches to landscape archaeology, and a knowledge of the methodology employed in a range of specific regional applications.

Content

  • Lectures:
  • History of landscape archaeology
  • Space to Place: theory of landscape archaeology
  • Landscape studies in British archaeology
  • Field survey in the western Mediterranean
  • Syrian landscape archaeology
  • Landscape archaeology in India
  • Landscape archaeology in Italy
  • Landscape archaeology of the Upper Tisza
  • Neothermal Dalmatia Project
  • Practicals:
  • Designing a landscape study
  • Using remote sensing in landscape archaeology
  • Seminar:
  • Aspects of methodology
  • Presenting a case for funding

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • A knowledge of the history of landscape studies in archaeology
  • An understanding of the theoretical basis of landscape archaeology
Subject-specific Skills:
  • An understanding of the application landscape studies in Britain and other parts of the world (the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, the Middle East)
  • The ability to plan an archaeological landscape study
  • The ability to use remotely-sensed data in the analysis of archaeological problems
Key Skills:
  • The ability to present an argued case for funding a project.

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

  • Lectures introduce the core subject knowledge
  • Practical classes allow students to develop subject skills
  • Seminars allow student to learn how to argue a case and develop presentation skills
  • The learning outcomes are assessed by an essay of 2500 words and a practical design for landscape survey.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 9 1 per term 2 hours 18
Tutorials
Seminars 2 2 per term 1 hour 2
Practicals 2 2 per term 2 hours 4
Fieldwork
Preparation & Reading 276
Other:
Total 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
An essay of not more than 2500 words giving a critical assessment of the methodologies of landscape archaeology 2500 words 100%
Component: Design for a landscape survey Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
a design for a landscape survey max. 2500 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

A mock application for funding to support a landscape survey (1500 words)

■ 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