Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module introduces and familiarises students with the most current discussions shaping historical archaeology as a discipline. Using a global perspective, we identify how archaeology contributes to the development of historical narratives by focusing on important research themes like colonialism, slavery, exploration, the development of global economies and the spread of religion. Lectures will provide students with an understanding of how various stakeholders have different interests in cultural heritage resources and how archaeologists work with everyone to ensure best management practice. Seminars focus on developing critical thinking skills and provide students with the opportunity to investigate and discuss some of the most up-to date research in the discipline.

Outline Of Syllabus

The following is an example syllabus. Topics and themes may vary and their order may change.


Introduction to module, aims and expectations.

-Topic: Archaeology of explorers
-Theme: Links between archaeology and nationalism

-Topic: Archaeology of ‘First-contacts’
-Theme: Archaeology and claims to the past

-Topic: Taming the wilderness: Archaeologies of infrastructure.
-Theme: Fantasy vs. reality - developing a realistic understanding of life on the ‘frontier.’

-Topic: Living on the frontier – Archaeology of early towns and farmsteads
-Theme: Which sites to save, record or destroy? Defining the ‘value’ of archaeological heritage.

-Topic: Archaeologies of the Wild West.
-Theme: Reconstructing ‘lawless’ societies.

-Topic: Global Connections 1: Turning fish into wine: North Atlantic trade routes.
-Theme: Development of new trade routes and early globalisation.

-Topic: Global connections 2: Exploiting Africa
-Theme: Understanding natural resource extraction and the movement of goods

-Topic: Global connections 3: human resources
-Theme: Giving a voice to those who had it stolen

-Topic: Convict societies, prisons and other forced labour
-Theme: Archaeologies of law and order.

-Topic: Archaeologies of new beliefs
-Theme: Spread of Christianity and development of Creole cultures.

-Topic: Colonial consequences
-Theme: Working with descendant communities and the future of archaeology.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

-Be able to recognize the major challenges facing historical archaeologists.
-Identify the various stakeholders interested in cultural heritage and the various relationship they develop with archaeologists.
-Critically evaluate best practice guidelines and the role of all stakeholders in engaging with and managing cultural heritage.
-Identify colonial legacies inherent within archaeological practice and discuss ways discipline can move forwards.
-Be familiar with up-to date research on key themes important to historical archaeology as a discipline.

Intended Skill Outcomes

-Advanced research skills requiring critical reading and reasoning, sustained discussion and appropriate presentation of ideas.
-The ability to read, understand and critically assess best-practice guidelines and heritage management protocols, especially in relation to their role in shaping people’s understanding of archaeological heritage.

Students will also develop the following key skills:
- Time management
- Bibliographic and library skills
- Writing and revising analytic prose
- Leading group discussions

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Through weekly lectures, the module will explore some of the major research themes that have come to shape historical archaeology as a discipline and will familiarise students the history of research on the topic. Such topics can include, for example, the archaeologies of indigenous-European interaction, slavery and the environment (among others). The accompanying weekly seminar will provide students with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with some of the most recent research on these topics, identify colonial legacies of the discipline and discuss best ways forward.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

• The written exercise will be a critical assessment of a region or jurisdiction’s standards and guidelines for practicing archaeology and heritage culture management. The student will be required to reflect on how these rules are affecting how various stakeholders are engaging with archaeological heritage and if elements of colonialism survive in the practice of archaeology. This will assess important learning and skills outcomes set out for this module: The ability to identify and describe the relationship(s) with different stakeholders, the ability to critically evaluate best practice guidelines and protocols, and further enhance basic research, critical thinking and communication skills.
• While the lectures and seminars provide an overview of previous and current research on a variety of themes and topics, the essay will allow students to pick a topic that interests them and further engage with the most up-to-date research concerning that theme. This will provide students with the opportunity to better understand a topic that might interest them in later studies (i.e., relating to the MA dissertation or future PhD research). This assesses the knowledge outcome of this module relating to keeping abreast of the most recent research in the field and critical thinking.
• The weekly seminar will require students to come to class prepared to discuss assigned readings. Students will each be tasked with chairing seminars and in contributing to the discussions. There will be informal feedback during the seminars on how to improve their academic discussion skills and leading discussions. These seminar help meet the intended knowledge outcomes of becoming familiar with the most up-to-date research, and the basic research skills like leading group discussions and critical thinking.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. Where an exam is present, an alternative form of assessment will be set and where coursework is present, an alternative deadline will be set. Details of the alternative assessment will be provided by the module leader.

General Notes

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