ARA1027 : Introduction to Archaeology
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Louise Rayne
- Lecturer: Dr Duncan Wright, Professor Andrea Dolfini, Dr Matthew Haysom, Dr Eric Tourigny
- Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
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
Example outline of lectures, seminars and practical classes (to inform module choice only - subject to minor change):
What is Archaeology?
Who Are Archaeologists?
The Extraordinary History of Archaeology, from Pompeii to Colonialism
Grow Your Own Cropmarks
Space Archaeology? Protecting Heritage from Afar
Endangered Archaeology
The Let’s Dig a Cake Challenge! Excavation and Recording
A Brief History of Time in Archaeology
Stone Age Finds
What Do Your Bones Say About You? The Archaeology of Death and Burial
Working with Human and Animal Remains
Underwater Archaeology: Shipwrecks and Lost Cities
Cold Cases: Archaeological Mysteries Solved by Science
Using X-Rays to ‘Read’ Finds
Difficult Archaeologies: Colonialism, Gender and Race
Myths, Aliens, and … Woolly Jumpers? Archaeology in TV and Media
Archaeology Escape Room Challenge
Are We Civilised?
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | 2 lectures p/w |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 64 | 1:00 | 64:00 | Assessment preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 103 | 1:00 | 103:00 | Independent learning |
| 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.
- Library and research skills will be taught 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
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | A | 70 | 2000 word essay FINAL DRAFT |
| Portfolio | 1 | A | 30 | Portfolio of activities selected from weekly Discussion Boards and Quizzes on Canvas (no word limit as this is variable and will not prejudice the score) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 2000 word draft essay. Will be submitted on Canvas, marked, and feedback provided to the students prior to the submission of the formative essay. NOTE: the draft is resubmitted as a summative assessment, so this word count is not in addition to that one. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The draft essay is set with an early deadline, to provide students with enough time to process their feedback and use it to construct essay 2.
The portfolio is designed to encourage student learning throughout the breadth of the module, and will be based upon a selection of weekly discussion board and quiz-related activities.
Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. For their formative assessment, these students will be required to submit the essay only, with an earlier deadline of mid-December.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ARA1027's Timetable