Newcastle University > Undergraduate > Find a Degree > Module

• Offered for Year: 2020/21

• Module Leader(s): Dr Chantal Conneller
• Lecturer: Dr Lisa-Marie Shillito

• Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Aims

This course is designed to introduce you to the material, sites and communities that characterize the prehistoric archaeology of the British Isles. We will study these remains period by period, from the earliest human occupation in the British Isles to the Roman invasion.

This module aims:
•to provide a general grounding in the prehistoric archaeology of the British Isles;
•to emphasise the role of landscapes, archaeological sites and monuments, and material culture in how archaeologists interpret life in prehistoric Britain.

Outline Of Syllabus

Outline syllabus, intended as a guide only; week-by-week topics may be slightly different to the following

1. Introduction to British prehistory.
Outline of module structure, seminars (including presentation advice), assessment, blackboard.
Lower Palaeolithic Britain: Life at Boxgrove

2. Middle and Upper Palaeolithic Britain: Island Britain, peninsula Britain

3. Mesolithic Britain, Star Carr and other sites

4. The Mesolithic/Neolithic transition - What do we mean by the Neolithic? Where did Neolithic products and practices comes from? The earliest Neolithic in Britain

5.Later Neolithic Britain: Henges

6. Chalcolithic/Beaker period/Early Bronze Age - The British ‘Chalcolithic’ and the start of the Early Bronze Age: Beakers, burials and copper

7. Everyday Life in the middle and late Bronze Age

8. Early Iron Age Britain

9. Later Iron Age Britain: Contact with the Roman world

Teaching Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Online teaching will involve a weekly introduction to each period, plus focus on individual sites, artefacts and mortuary evidence using podcasts, 3d models and short films, linked to excercises and quizes. A key theme in British Prehistory will be explored each week through directed reading, a related exercise and online discussion board, enabling students to understand different perspectives on debates and how archaeologists use evidence to create interpretations. Several drop-in surgeries will provide support for assessment, linked to formative work, and opportunities to discuss feedback.

Assessment Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment

Formative Assessments

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The first section of the module (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic) is assessed by a single essay. This is supported by a formative assessment involving submission of an essay plan and bibliography, followed by discussion with module leader. The second essay question will required the student to address the Bronze or Iron Age. Quizes embeded in lecture materials will enable students to test their knowledge and understanding.

The above arrangements provide for a structured progression through the module content and a close connection between the material covered, the learning outcomes, and the assessment.

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

• ARA1028's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• ARA1028's Timetable