ARMTCA: Theoretical Approaches and Contemporary Challenges in Archaeology

Module code: ARMTCA

Module provider: Archaeology; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Amy Richardson, email: a.l.richardson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 17 June 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is focused on different approaches to archaeological theory, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they are relevant to the interpretation of archaeological evidence. As well as presenting and discussing these approaches, we also examine the kinds of inferences about human behaviour in the past that archaeologists make on the basis of this material evidence. In addition to an exploration of the history of archaeological theory, we investigate current approaches to subjects such as gender, identity and the human the life-course in the past. We also focus on sustainability and global challenges, looking at how archaeology might help to build a better future. This module provides you with a comprehensive knowledge of the main approaches to archaeological thought, a critical awareness of the construction and evaluation of inferences about past societies based on material remains and an understanding of the global challenges facing both the discipline and the world today.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Identify and describe the main traditions of archaeological thought and critically appraise the similarities between these traditions
2. Evaluate critically the extent to which archaeological thought is linked to the empirical record in chosen case studies and objectively review the inferences that can be made about different aspects of past societies from their preserved material remains
3. Understand and evaluate critically the global challenges facing both the discipline and the world today and extend, via self-directed study, knowledge and understanding of issues covered in class discussions
4. Articulate complex arguments effectively in writing in an assessed essay and an article critique, and orally in seminar discussions

Module content

This module takes an historical, cross-cultural and comparative approach to the teaching of archaeological thought. We begin by introducing the major traditions of archaeological thought, as well as their origins in the natural and social sciences. You are introduced to the diversity of approaches to theory that are practised in world archaeology today, as well as the perceived strengths and weaknesses of these approaches. Then we focus on themes relating to the construction of inferences about past societies from the material remains in the archaeological record. These themes include gender, identity, ethnicity, the human life-course, etc. We also look at sustainability and current global challenges. Reference will be made to case studies in archaeological thought throughout the module.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Illustrated lectures, seminars and structured group discussions requiring preparatory reading. You will each write one assessed essay (on a topic selected in consultation with the module lecturers) and an article critique (on a subject of their choice). The module also includes an optional field trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford.

Study hours

At least 27 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs