Unit information: Methods and Approaches in 20th Century Conflict Archaeology in 2013/14

Unit name	Methods and Approaches in 20th Century Conflict Archaeology
Unit code	ARCHM0054
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Saunders
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This course aims to give students a broad understanding of some of the most important issues in the development of the study of 20th century conflict archaeology. The Unit provides an introduction to the interdisciplinary study of the landscapes and material culture of the First and Second World Wars by archaeologists, anthropologists, and museum and heritage specialists. It emphasizes the global context of these conflicts, and assesses the complex challenges presented by the ethical, political, and national dimensions of this new kind of archaeology.

Aims:

The aim of this unit is to introduce the new sub-discipline of 20th Century Conflict Archaeology. The unit will provide the student with a general knowledge of the military and cultural events of the period as they relate to the landscapes and objects of conflict. It will also provide an introduction to a range of analytical techniques, as well as a thorough grounding in anthropological theories that relate to investigating the relationships between people and materialities in the time of industrialised war. Students will develop their abilities to identify, problematise and interpret the variety of material evidence available. Subjects which this Unit aims to cover include

• The hybrid and interdisciplinary nature of conflict archaeology

• The anthropology of war-related objects

• The material culture and experience of occupation

• The collection, curation, and representation of objects in war museums

• Multi-vocal landscapes of conflict for military and civilians

• Film and conflict

• Commemoration and monuments

• Global contexts and interrelationships of 2 world wars and the Cold War

• Field Trip to a relevant site and special collections

Intended Learning Outcomes

The unit will provide the student with a comprehensive knowledge of the origins, scope, and potential of modern conflict archaeology, and of rapidly developing contemporary approaches to studying and analysing war landscapes, objects, and representations. Students will develop their abilities to identify, conceptualise, and interpret a range of evidences, and to relate these to mainstream archaeology and anthropology.

Teaching Information

10 two hours lectures with occasional fieldtrips.

Assessment Information

Presentation of 10 -15 mins (25%) Essay 4,000 words (75%)

Reading and References

• Cocroft, W.D. 2001. Dangerous Energy: The archaeology of gunpowder and military explosives manufacture. London: English Heritage.

• Lloyd, D.W. 1998 Battlefield Tourism: Pilgrimage and the Commemoration of the Great War in Britain, Australia and Canada, 1919-1939. Oxford: Berg.

• Saunders, N.J. 2003. Trench Art: Materialities and Memories of War. Oxford: Berg.

• Saunders, N. 2007. Killing Time: Archaeology and the First World War. Sutton.

• Schofield, J. et al (eds). 2001. Mat�riel Culture: The Archaeology of 20th Century Conflict. London: Routledge.