AR2TAH: Archaeology and heritage: past, present and future

Module code: AR2TAH

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

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

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 focuses on how and why archaeologists have excavated and interpreted the material remains of past societies over time (from some of the earliest interpretations of the past in the ancient Near East and Classical Greece and Rome to the modern day). It also looks at the evolution of ideas through time, investigating how wider society has changed archaeology, and how heritage has the capacity to transform the world in different ways. The module is global in outlook and international in scope. As well as outlining the history of archaeology, the module also explores many of the key theoretical approaches that archaeologists are currently using to interpret the past, including anthropology. The module also looks at a series of case studies, focusing on work currently being carried out in the Department which demonstrates how archaeology and heritage can impact upon wider society in different ways. One of the central aims of the module is also to consider where the discipline’s ideas might go in future. The kinds of issue the module will cover include: the development of the discipline from 18th century Antiquarian treasure-hunting to 21st century post-modern ideas; theories of evolution; the relationship between archaeology and anthropology; sex, gender and identity; ethnicity; materiality; the power of objects; the ethical implications of doing archaeology; and heritage management. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of key aspects of the history of archaeology, including key theoretical concepts developed over the past 30 years
2. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different archaeological ideas
3. Discuss the relationship between archaeological ‘theories’ and the interpretations of the material record those theories are used to interpret
4. Appreciate the varied ways in which heritage can impact upon wider society, including a clear understanding of how global archaeology and heritage might develop in future

Module content

This module focuses on the history of archaeology, and especially archaeological ideas, in the long-term. It also considers many of the key concepts that underlie much recent archaeological interpretation, and the ways in which heritage can impact upon the world and wider society. The main issues the module will cover include the development of the discipline from 18th Century Antiquarian digging to 21st century ideas about intersectional identities. The kinds of subject that will be covered include: theories of evolution; sex, gender and identity; ethnicity; materiality and the power of objects; and the ethical implications of doing archaeology. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This course is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, group discussions and debates (in class and online), student presentations, directed reading, assignments and a museum trip. 

There will be 11 core teaching sessions; each of these sessions will last two hours and will usually include lecture content and wider class discussions. There will also be five additional seminars throughout the course of the module looking at individual case studies illustrating the impact that archaeology and heritage can have on wider society. 

As a 20 credit module, the module should involve 200 hours of study time: attending lectures and seminars, general background reading, preparing for seminars, reading for, and writing, your written coursework, preparing for the final presentation and contributing to the ‘wiki’.

Study hours

At least 32 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 40% 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: /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