Module ARCH2141: ANCIENT COMPLEX SOCIETIES IN ACTION

Department: Archaeology

ARCH2141: ANCIENT COMPLEX SOCIETIES IN ACTION

Prerequisites

• Ancient Civilizations of the East (ARCH1111) OR Introduction to Archaeology (ARCH1071).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The module is designed to provide students with a sound knowledge of key evidence, problems and research methods that lie at the core of archaeological research in Egypt, the Ancient Near East and the Indian Subcontinent.
• To provide an insight into the methodologies employed and upon the impact that the nature of the dataset or its use can have upon the way in which the past is constructed.

Content

• The module examines the organizational characteristics of ancient complex societies through a focus on three geographical areas: Egypt, the Ancient Near East and the Indian Subcontinent.
• There is a particular focus upon the relationship between economic, socio-political and cultural developments in these societies.
• This is examined through a close consideration of the material evidence pertaining to aspects such as burial practices, settlement data, and evidence for inter-regional contact and the relationship between material and documentary evidence.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module the student will have: i) developed a sound knowledge of key aspects of basic data and cultural sequences in the defined geographical areas ii) gained direct experience of working with archaeological evidence iii) developed communication skills through participation in problem solving exercises and artefact handling classes.

• Develop a broad range of core technical and interpretive skills pertaining to archaeological data.

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

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

• This module is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and an artefact handling session in the Oriental Museum.
• Lectures will address key evidence.
• Close engagement with the data will be provided through a combination of seminars, and problem-orientated or artefact handling session.
• The former will ensure the effective communication of key information, and will be assessed by an examination, the latter will develop students' skills in data analysis, communication and presentation, which are assessed by an evidence-based essay.
• Self guided learning.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Preparation of a summary of the key evidence from a single site, and the main problems with the data (approx 1,500 words) submitted in the Michaelmas term. Participation in seminar discussions.

■ 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