ARA1028 : Prehistoric Britain
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Dr Chris Fowler
- Lecturer: Dr Nicky Garland
- Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
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
The module will cover the following topics
-Introduction to British prehistory
-Palaeolithic Britain
-Mesolithic Britain
-The Mesolithic/Neolithic transition
-Neolithic Britain
-Chalcolithic Britain
-Bronze Age Britain
-Iron Age Britain
-Overview: Social organization
-Overview: Cosmology
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | PiP lectures, can be synchronous online if needed |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 80 | 1:00 | 80:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Lecture recordings and other materials. Counts as contact hours. |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Pip seminars - could be moved to synchronous online if needed |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 7:00 | 7:00 | Fieldtrip - PIP; online replacement activity can be offered instead if necessary |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 58 | 1:00 | 58:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will provide a weekly introduction to each period, plus focus on individual sites, artefacts and mortuary evidence. This will be supplemented with some online learning materials. A key theme in British Prehistory will be explored each week through seminar activities, enabling students to understand different perspectives on debates and how archaeologists use evidence to create interpretations.
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 | 50 | 1750 words |
| Essay | 1 | A | 50 | 1750 words |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Essay plan to be discussed in individual meeting with module leader |
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 cover the Bronze Age or Iron Age.
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
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ARA1028's Timetable