AR2T1-Archaeological Thought
Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level:
5
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Professor
RW
Chapman
Pre-requisites: AR1TS3
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0
Email: r.w.chapman@reading.ac.uk
Aims:
This module aims to provide students with a basic knowledge of theory in archaeology, the construction and evaluation of inferences about past societies, and the different traditions of thought which exist within archaeology today.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module it is expected that the student will be able:
Additional outcomes:
This module also aims to enhance students' communication and presentational skills, as well as their ability to work in teams, through participation in group-based seminars. The ability of students to engage in problem-solving will be developed by the presentation of competing traditions of thought in seminars and lectures, and their evaluation through comparison with the empirical record in written essays.
Outline content:
This module takes an historical, as well as a cross-cultural and comparative approach to the teaching of archaeological thought. Students are introduced to the major traditions of thought and their origins in the natural and social sciences since the last century. They are introduced to the diversity of approaches to theory that are practised in the world today, as well as the perceived strengths and weaknesses of these approaches. Then we focus on themes relating to the construction of inferences about past societies from the material traces in the archaeological record. These themes include interpreting material culture; agency and social reproduction; models of society and social change; ideology and power; trade and exchange; and feminism and gender. The suggested preliminary reading is M. Johnson Archaeological Thought (1999).
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Two one-hour lectures per week; two thematic one-hour seminars requiring preparatory reading and group discussion; self-study week requiring critical reading of chosen texts.
Contact hours:
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Lectures | 16 | ||
| Tutorials/seminars | 2 | ||
| Practicals | |||
| Other contact (eg study visits) | |||
| Total hours | 18 | ||
| Number of essays or assignments | 1 | ||
| Other (eg major seminar paper) | 1 |
Assessment:
Coursework
Students will write one critical review of 1000 words (25%) and an essay of c.2000 words (75%), both to be submitted in the Spring Term, on dates set by the Department.
Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
Penalties for late submission
Penalties for late submission of course work will be in accordance with University policy.
Examinations
None.
Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements
Re-submission of coursework in August/September.
Last updated: 23 November 2009