ARMHGT-Hunter-Gatherers in Transition

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: s.j.mithen@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module concerns the process of behavioural and cultural transition in modern human hunter-gatherers drawing on both archaeology and anthropology.  Hunting and gathering was the only human life-style from the emergence of Homo two million years ago and modern humans at 100,000 years ago up until the emergence of farming economies around 10,000 years ago.  It was, however, a constantly changing and geographically diverse lifestyle, as individuals and communities adapted to changing environments and innovated new technology, social relations and ideas. To explore the process of change, this module will explore three case studies of hunter-gatherers from the archaeological record: Upper Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers from Europe who made the cave paintings; Mesolithic hunter-gatherers from Britain; and early Neolithic hunter-gatherers from southern Jordan who began experimenting with the cultivation of plants and sedentary lifestyles. It will also explore the impact of state societies and globalisation on hunter-gatherers who survived into the 18th century and beyond. 

Aims:

• To explore the processes of change in hunter-gatherer societies of modern humans, examining the role of external drivers such climate change, and internal drivers such as cultural invention and innovation


• To acquire specific knowledge about change in a sample of archaeologically and historically documented hunter-gatherers

Assessable learning outcomes:

• To demonstrate systematic and comprehensive understanding of processes of change in hunter-gatherer societies


• To critically evaluate and interpret archaeological remains and underlying methodological approaches to infer the external and internal drivers of change in hunter-gatherer societies


• To develop deep, critically informed knowledge and understanding of hunter-gatherer societies through sustained engagement with archaeological and historic rec ords.

Additional outcomes:

Your oral and communication skills will also be enhanced through the seminar discussions and your assessed seminar presentation. You will also develop your IT skills through preparing for the seminar presentation and researching textual and visual sources for your written coursework. Research and analytical skills will be developed through participation in the seminars and completion of the written coursework components.

Outline content:

The module has three units. The first will consider the ethnoarchaeological study of hunter-gatherers, looking at recent and historically documented societies to identify generic characteristics of these lifestyles and the diversity in mobility, subsistence and social organisation, with a view of developing theory and method for interpreting the archaeological record.  The second unit will consist of three cases studies of prehistoric hunter-gatherers: Upper Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers from Europe who made the cave paintings; Mesolithic hunter-gatherers from Britain; and early Neolithic hunter-gatherers from southern Jordan who began experimenting with the cultivation of plants and sedentary lifestyles. Through these case studies we will explore the nature and interpretations of a wide range of archaeological data-sets, including artefacts, settlement remains, food debris and artworks. The third unit will consider two case studies of current indigenous groups with a recent hu nter-gatherer ancestry, exploring their lifestyles and current political and environment issues regarding the survival of their communities and culture. One of these will be the Ainu of Japan.  Seminars will explore a series of cross-cutting themes at an advanced level, including:   creative thinking, innovation and invention, linguistic change, climate change, environmental change and population interaction.

Global context:

The module will draw on hunter-gatherer societies from across the world.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, group discussions, student presentations, directed reading, and assignments. It will involve examining artefact collection.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One essay of up to 5000 words (90%) to be submitted at the start of the summer term.

Assessed lead of one or more seminars (10%)

Formative assessment methods:

Through seminar discussion. 

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of course work by the end of August, but it cannot carry forward more than a pass mark.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020