AR1MET-Archaeology today: methods and practice

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Ms Amanda Clarke
Email: a.s.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module provides a comprehensive introduction to the main methods and practices currently employed in modern archaeology, both in archaeological fieldwork and post-excavation analysis. It is taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, practicals and a residential field class. It is assessed entirely by coursework.

Aims:

The module aims to provide you with essential knowledge of the variety of methods and techniques used in modern archaeology, an understanding of the current practice of archaeology in the UK, and an opportunity to develop practical skills and research skills. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that you will be able:

• to evaluate the main methods by which archaeologists acquire, date and analyse their primary evidence;


• to examine and interpret archaeological evidence;


• to locate published and digital sources, as well as additional sources relevant to the course, through guided and independent literature searches, and to extract relevant information from them;


• to in dependently gather and organise information and to present an argument in writing, while fulfilling the formal requirements for University-level coursework.

Additional outcomes:

The module will introduce you to aspects of numeracy, information handling and data analysis. The seminars, practicals and fieldwork will encourage you to develop your problem-solving and oral communication skills in group situations.

Outline content:

The module provides a theoretical and practical overview of the methods and approaches employed in modern archaeology, as well as an introduction to research skills. The major part of the module deals with methods of field archaeology (archaeological prospection and excavation), relative and absolute dating methods, environmental evidence (plant and animal remains, biomolecular archaeology) and artefact analysis (stone and metal objects, pottery and small finds). You will have the opportunity to examine environmental and artefactual evidence through practical seminars, and a residential field class. Seminars provide further training in study skills, archaeological stratigraphy and site interpretation.

Global context:

Although the majority of case-studies, practicals and fieldwork focus on British and/or European archaeology, the module provides an introduction to many of the methods and approaches used in contemporary archaeological practice worldwide.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is team-taught by members of the Archaeology department. At the core of the module are lectures, seminars, and practicals (both lab-based and in the field). Lectures are linked to preparatory and follow-up reading, thus providing a comprehensive introduction to each of the covered themes. Seminars, practicals and  the residential field class will give you the opportunity to practically apply some of the methodological principles and techniques introduced in lectures to real-wo rld archaeological evidence.

The module is entirely assessed by coursework: a group-based fieldwork report ( based around the residential field class and supported by other practical classes), and an individual project critique.

Study skills seminars will support your transition to University study and help you to develop your research skills, through the discussion of teaching and learning issues with fellow students and staff in small-group sessions.

Dedicated sessions in the summer term provide an essential introduction to the Summer Fieldschool, and an opportunity to develop your archaeological  fieldwork skills.

Introductory Reading:

Greene, K. and Moore, T. (2010). Archaeology: an Introduction (5th revised edition). London: Routledge

Renfrew, C. & P. Bahn. 2016. Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice (7th revised edition). London: Thames and Hudson

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	16		4
Seminars	10
Practicals classes and workshops	3		3
Fieldwork	24
Guided independent study:	136
Total hours by term	189		7
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Report	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Group task 40% and the individual critique 60%.

Formative assessment methods:

You will work in small groups from the start of the module, and carry out a survey of a Reading monument of your choice, using a variety of methods. The results of your survey will be uploaded to an online database and will be the subject of a short group presentation.

This is a 20-credit module, which means that it is intended to occupy you for 200 hours of work: lectures/seminars/practicals/fieldwork, seminar preparation, background reading, and researching and writing your coursework. With that in mind, the kind of workload you should expect might be as follows:

• 36 hours: contact in formal teaching sessions


• 24 hours: Residential field class


• 40 hours: background reading and note taking after lectures


• 10 hours: seminar preparation 


• 40 hours: reading and writing/presenting your project critique


• 50 hours: researching and writing/presenting your fieldwork report

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall. 

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework on dates set by the Department. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 24 June 2021