ARMT02-Themes and Approaches in the Study of Mesopotamia

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: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Roger Matthews
Email: r.j.matthews@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
In this module we examine themes, issues and approaches in the archaeology of Iraq (Mesopotamia), with focus on the early urban societies of the region, ca. 4000-1500 BC.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current knowledge and issues in studies of changes in Mesopotamian during this period. It also aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and methodological approaches to study of early urban settlement and society in this region.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• to provide a critical assessment of the main characteristics of, and changes in, early urban settlement and society in Mesopotamia from c. 3200-1750 BC


• to evaluate critically the nature and quality of archaeological data and the competing methodological and theoretical approaches to key complex issues associated with Mesopotamian settlement and society and to develop critiques of them


• to locate, extract, and assemble data and information from varied sources, with initiative and minimal guidance


• to take a creative approach to key issues and to develop independent interpretations of material through self-directed research


• to synthesise wide-ranging material and to articulate arguments effectively and clearly in writing an assessed essay and orally in seminar debates and presentations.

Additional outcomes:
This module also aims to develop independent problem-solving skills in dealing with complex and incomplete interdisciplinary archaeological, textual and scientific data. Seminar presentations, critical reviews and the development of an individual essay topic encourage independent learning, as well as communication skills, personal responsibility, and teamwork in discussion groups.

Outline content:
This module begins with a critical review of socio-cultural developments in Mesopotamia from the late 4th to the early 2nd millennium BC, and the history of archaeological research in the region. The module will then focus thematically on critical evaluation of key issues and case-studies in the study of early urban settlement and society. It will appraise competing approaches, theories and interpretations, and relate them to current debates in archaeology more widely. The issues examined include: human-environment inter-relationships and agricultural intensification; resources, trade and exchange; origins of writing; socio-politics and the nature of power, city-states and empire; ritual, death and burial, and gender and identity. The module will close with a session on the legacy of Mesopotamia and the heritage of Iraq.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Illustrated lectures, seminars and structured group discussion requiring intensive preparatory reading. Students will write one assessed essay, which will be returned in individual tutorials, give an oral presentation and contribute to seminars and critical reviews.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		20
Guided independent study:		170
Total hours by term		200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	70
Oral assessment and presentation	10
Set exercise	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:
n/a

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One essay of 4,000 words (70%)

Article critique of 1,500 words (20%)

Oral presentation with PPT 10 mins (5%)

Seminar performance (5%)

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of coursework by 1st September, but it cannot carry forward more than a pass mark.

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: 22 September 2022