Module ARCH1151: ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS: SOURCES, APPROACHES AND METHODS*

Department: Archaeology

ARCH1151: ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS: SOURCES, APPROACHES AND METHODS*

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Scientific Methods in Archaeology 1 (ARCH1041), Applied Archaeological Methods (ARCH1081) and Historical and Archaeological Methods & Sources (ARCH1161).

Aims

• * All modules marked with this symbol form part of an Accredited CIfA pathway
• To provide students with a grounding in a range of scientific methods and techniques used in contemporary archaeology, and to develop a basic critical awareness of the potential and limitations of each.
• To provide a core module for students on the BA Ancient Civilisations and Archaeology (VQ48) degree.

Content

• Using case studies from UK and global contexts, the module introduces what an archaeologist of Ancient Civilisations needs to know about:
• Archaeological excavation
• Human remains
• Animal and plant remains
• Environmental and landscape archaeology
• Material culture and conservation
• Uses of statistics in archaeology
• Prospection methods
• Dating methods
• Using ancient textual sources and their apparatus
• Interpreting iconography
• Built Environment and architecture
• Reception

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have:
• Developed a broad range of basic knowledge pertaining to methods used in archaeology and those pertinent to the study of ancient civilisations, including (a) biological, (b) physical, and (c) landscape and environmental, (d) material culture, (e) statistical, (f) basic dating, (g) textual, (h) iconographic, and (i) reception.
• Gained a basic knowledge of a range of ideas and materials that form the foundation of knowledge in archaeological analysis.
• Been introduced to fundamental issues in archaeological science, textual and material culture themes principally through secondary literature.
• An awareness of how to select, propose and agree appropriate methods for analysis and interpretation.
• An awareness of archaeological ethics, technical standards and investigation methods.

• Applied transferable skills (detailed below) to archaeologically specific tasks and situations.

• Introduction to and participation in undertaking a number of study skills, including essay writing.
• Basic understanding of accessing and using library, WWW and the VLE resources.
• Basic knowledge of the preparation and effective communication of data, interpretations and arguments.
• Basic comprehension of sampling, collecting, recording and interpretation of data.
• Ascertain the procedures required to access information and ensure these are compiled with.
• Confirm requirements for analysis and interpretation.
• Apply archaeological ethics and technical standards.
• Confirm requirements for analysis and interpretation.
• Identify sources and availability of information.
• Ensure that sources of information and opinion used to inform research and analysis are investigated critically.

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 essay and an 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 the VLE, 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.
• 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, and students are introduced to the results of the research of their teachers as well as the wider context of the subject.
• Lectures may consist of pre-recorded videos and/or live presentations from tutors, and integrate break-out discussions, study exercises and other learning activities as appropriate to the material covered from week to week.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment may include a range of quizzes, short answer tests and other short assignments related to the learning outcomes of the module.

■ 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