Module ARCH3531: Debating Anthropology and Archaeology (Ar)

Department: Archaeology

ARCH3531: Debating Anthropology and Archaeology (Ar)

Prerequisites

• Archaeological Method and Theory (ARCH2121)

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Debating Anthropology and Archaeology (An) (ANTH3131), Hunters & Gatherers Past & Present (Ar) (ARCH3521)

Aims

• To provide students with an advanced understanding of debates about the relationship between archaeological and anthropological approaches.
• To show how archaeology and anthropology provide overlapping yet distinct perspectives on key aspects of social and cultural life.
• To explore how common theories, concepts and approaches have moved between these disciplines.

Content

• Lectures will cover:
• Historical dimensions to the development of archaeology and anthropology as distinct yet related disciplines.
• How concepts and approaches have moved between disciplines (e.g. ethnographic analogy, archaeologies of the contemporary past, ethnographies of archaeological practice).
• ‘The social’ and ‘the cultural’ as contested concepts within and between archaeology and anthropology.
• How archaeology and anthropology have provided conflicting and/or complementary accounts of key aspects of social life including: landscape; materiality; temporality; personhood; death; the body.

Learning Outcomes

• Critical understanding of historical dimensions of the relationship between archaeology and anthropology.
• Detailed knowledge of the different ways that archaeologists and anthropologists have approached key aspects of social life.
• Critical awareness of how ideas and approaches have moved between archaeology and anthropology.
• Advanced knowledge of current debates in both disciplines.

• Ability to synthesise archaeological and anthropological approaches and insights.
• Evaluation and use of competing theories to elucidate previously unfamiliar topics.

• Synthesis and analysis of written and orally presented ideas.
• Summarising and exemplifying ideas and arguments.
• Responding to questions

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

• The informal components of the module utilise a variety of methods, including posting course documents and information on DUO, seminar presentations and associated oral discussions.
• Lectures delivered by staff with anthropological and archaeological backgrounds will give a broad overview of key ideas, approaches, debates, issues and historical context.
• Seminars provide an opportunity to critically explore a series of topics in greater depth, to make oral presentations and to debate key questions posed in the lectures.
• The summative essay tests skills of understanding, analysis, information collection and presentation, with respect to a specific issue drawing on archaeological and anthropological approaches.
• Oral presentations and class discussions allow students to develop critical perspectives on key issues and to analyse and synthesise competing accounts from archaeological and anthropological perspectives.
• Formative feedback will also form an integral part of the seminar discussions. Students are encouraged to utilise office hours of contributing staff for feedback and clarification on issues raised in seminars and lectures.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment and feedback is integral to questions and comments on seminar presentations and debates. Written feedback will be given on a 500 word critical review of one of the module’s key texts.

■ 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