Unit information: Introduction to Archaeology in 2012/13

Unit name	Introduction to Archaeology
Unit code	ARCH10001
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Alex Bentley
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The first part covers the origins and history of the modern discipline of Archaeology, presents the methods used to study societies from their material remains, and how the archaeological archive is constructed. The second part covers some methods of analysis, including relative and absolute dating, preservation of materials and reconstructions and experiments. A core unit.

Aims:

The unit aims to provide you with a basic understanding of the multi-disciplinary methods and approaches in current archaeological practice, which should help to inform your own choice of specialisations in subsequent course units.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of this unit should enable you to:

• understand the position of archaeology as an academic and professional enterprise in the modern world, specifically in terms of the intellectual and scientific development of the discipline;

• understand the range and nature of the basic scientific techniques available for the study of archaeological data.

Teaching Information

A two-hour Lecture on Monday afternoons (2.00 - 3.50 p.m.; Physics, Mott), and a one-hour Tutorial session on Tuesdays (for which students will be divided into groups).

Assessment Information

Assessment for the unit is carried out through submission of an Essay ( = 50% of the marks) and a Class Test ( = 50% of the marks). The Class Test will take place in the final week of Teaching Block One (TB1). In addition, attendance at all Lectures and Tutorial sessions is expected and essential. NB: There are four assignments for Tutorial sessions, but these are unassessed pieces of work.