Module ARCH2101: FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY OF BRITAIN

Department: Archaeology

ARCH2101: FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY OF BRITAIN

Prerequisites

• Discovering World Prehistory (ARCH1121) OR Cities in Antiquity (ARCH1131) OR Medieval to Modern (ARCH1141) OR Archaeology in Action (ARCH1071).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• This Level 2 module provides a brief conspectus of British archaeology by period from the Palaeolithic to the present day.

Content

• Major developments in each period will be explored and the European context will be emphasised. There is a tendency to concentrate on NE Britain where possible.
• Topics to be covered will include: environment, settlement and structures, daily life.
• Roughly half the module will be dedicated to prehistory and the remainder to the historic periods.
• The module is illustrated throughout by case studies and an important part of the module will be 3 fieldtrips to archaeological sites in the north-east.

Learning Outcomes

• At the end of this module the student should: understand the notion of continuity and change: have explored the relationship between archaeology and other disciplines such as history and geography.
• have a sound grounding in British field archaeology and current thinking on major issues.
• have an understanding of sites of different periods in their landscape context.

• To develop core recognition and interpretive skills relating to understanding field monuments and landscapes and their links with other archaeological evidence.

• Develop competence in interpretation of data and recognition of links with other categories of evidence.

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 fieldtrips.
• Lectures will ensure the effective communication of key information and theoretical ideas.
• Fieldtrips provide closer engagement archaeological evidence in the field.
• The summative exam consists of two essays, as well as a series of gobbet-style questions, usually in the form of plans, artefact drawings, etc, which will reflect teaching materials used on the fieldtrips as well as information provided in lectures.
• The exam is prepared for through two formative assignments, one a timed short answer test, the other a 1500 word assignment.
• Research is embedded into the teaching of this module through the expertise of the lecturers and tutors. The examples and topics chosen within the curriculum will derive from the specialist research interests of the staff teaching the module. The module also enables students to explore how archaeologists produce evidence about the past, develop theories to explain it, and how archaeological evidence may subsequently be reinterpreted. The field trips allow students to experience some approaches to archaeological research in the field. Through field observation students experience the process of research and develop skills in conducting archaeological research.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One 1500 word essay and a formative computer test taken on DUO.

■ 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