ARA1027 : Introduction to Archaeology
- Offered for Year: 2019/20
- Module Leader(s): Dr James Gerrard
- Lecturer: Dr Lisa-Marie Shillito, Dr Matthew Haysom, Dr Chris Fowler, Dr Caron Newman, Dr Chantal Conneller, Dr Jane Webster, Professor Ian Haynes, Dr Andrea Dolfini, Dr Mark Jackson, Dr Eric Tourigny
- Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
The aims of this module are to provide students with an introduction to:
• the history of archaeological thought and its development into current theoretical approaches;
• methods and techniques used by archaeologists to investigate artefacts, sites and landscapes;
• ways in which archaeologists and anthropologists identify features of social and cultural life;
• the role of ethics and conservation in archaeology.
Outline Of Syllabus
Outline of syllabus (To inform module choice of current students):
Although the main themes and learning outcomes remain the same, specific classes change from year to year according to which lecturers are delivering them. The module will consist of two lectures and a seminar each week for twelve weeks, and will be divided into three parts:
• Part 1: the development of archaeological thought and practice from antiquarianism to the present day. Trends in European thought; origins of archaeology; antiquarianism; the recognition of prehistory; culture history, New Archaeology and postprocessual archaeology.
• Part 2: fieldwork (maps, survey and aerial photography); investigating sites by excavation; dating methods; interpreting material culture.
• Part 3: themes in social and cultural life -- economy, cosmology, death and burial; heritage and ethics.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 70 | 1:00 | 70:00 | 45% of guided independent studies |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 70 | 1:00 | 70:00 | 45% of guided independent studies |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Research Skills Seminar |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 8:00 | 8:00 | Field Trips |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 16 | 1:00 | 16:00 | 10% of guided independent studies |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
- Knowledge outcomes will be taught through lectures and seminars in class and developed through private study, they will be assessed by essay and by examination.
- Library and research skills will be taught in seminar sessions and assessed through written work.
- Key skills will be developed in particular in seminars.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC Examination | 60 | 1 | M | 10 | Bibliography exercise |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 45 | 2000 word essay |
| Essay | 1 | M | 45 | 2000 word essay |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | ‘What will I get out of my degree?’ 400 words, formatted according to the course guidelines |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Participation in Blackboard discussion forums, tests and seminar presentations |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.
All Erasmus students at Newcastle University are expected to do the same assessment as students registered for a degree.
Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. This will take the form of an alternative assessment, as outlined in the formats below:
Modules assessed by Coursework and Exam:
The normal alternative form of assessment for all semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be one essay in addition to the other coursework assessment (the length of the essay should be adjusted in order to comply with the assessment tariff); to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.
Modules assessed by Exam only:
The normal alternative form of assessment for all semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be two 2,000 word written exercises; to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.
Modules assessed by Coursework only:
All semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be expected to complete the standard assessment for the module; to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.
Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending the whole academic year or semester 2 are required to complete the standard assessment as set out in the MOF under all circumstances.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ARA1027's Timetable