Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module ARCH1101: FROM ROMAN EMPIRE TO NATION STATE

Department: Archaeology

ARCH1101: FROM ROMAN EMPIRE TO NATION STATE

Type Open Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To introduce students to the archaeology of Europe from the rise of the Roman Empire up to the present day.

Content

  • 1. Rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
  • 2. Archaeology of the early middle ages.
  • 3. Archaeology of feudal Europe.
  • 4. Material culture and the feudal/capitalist transition.
  • 5. Europe outside Europe: colonialism, landscape and modernity.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students will have:
  • Grasped the general outline/frameworks of historical (Roman to post medieval) archaeology.
  • Understood the contribution of archaeological evidence to the study of historical societies.
  • Gained a familiarity with the major themes of Roman, medieval and modern archaeological study.
  • Understood how interpretations are developed from archaeological remains.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Applied transferable skills (detailed below) to archaeologically specific tasks and situations.
Key Skills:
  • Introduction to and participation in undertaking a number of study skills, including essay writing.
  • Basic comprehension of analysis and interpretation of secondary data.
  • Basic knowledge of the preparation and effective communication of data, interpretations and arguments.

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, tutorials, formative essays and self-guided learning.
  • It is assessed through an unseen examination.
  • Lectures will ensure the effective communication of key information and theoretical ideas, supported by reading lists and written summaries of follow-up notes posted on DUO, enabling students to gain up-to-date knowledge, as well as guidance on further reading.
  • Tutorials will focus on discussion and feedback between tutors and students in small groups, in a relatively informal learning environment, enabling students to enhance, discuss, question and receive feedback on their knowledge and to gain experience in oral communication and collaborative group-work.
  • Self-guided learning comprises personal study, research, revision and evaluation associated with classes and assignments; guided by lecturers, tutors and reading lists of specialist books, articles and web-sites.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 1 Per Week/2 Per Week 1 Hour 20
Tutorials 3 1 Hour 3
Revision Workshop 2 1 Hour 2
Preparation and Reading 175
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 3 hours 100%

Formative Assessment:

Two essays of 1,500 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