ARA1027 : Introduction to Archaeology
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Dr Chloe Duckworth
- Lecturer: Dr Andrea Dolfini, Dr Mark Jackson, Dr Sophie Moore, Dr Eric Tourigny, Dr Jane Webster, Dr Matthew Haysom, Dr Duncan Wright
- 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):
PART 1
Archaeological principles and methods
1. What is Archaeology?
2. Survey Week 1
3. Survey Week 2
4. Digging Week 1
5. Digging Week 2
6. Relative Dating
7. Absolute Dating
8. Small Finds and Technologies
PART 2
Archaeology in history and politics
9. The Origins of Archaeology 1
10. The Origins of Archaeology 2
11. The Past and the Public
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | 1 lecture p/w |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Online lecture materials. Counts as contact hours. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 64 | 1:00 | 64:00 | Assessment preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | 1 seminar p/w |
| 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 | M | 20 | 1500 word essay FIRST DRAFT |
| Essay | 1 | A | 60 | 1500 word essay FINAL DRAFT |
| Portfolio | 1 | A | 20 | Portfolio of activities selected from weekly Discussion Boards and Quizzes on Canvas |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Participation in Blackboard discussion forums, tests and seminar presentations |
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.
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