Unit information: British Prehistory in 2012/13

Unit name	British Prehistory
Unit code	ARCH12011
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
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 material culture of Britain and Ireland from 500,000 BC to the Roman Conquest in AD 43. Discoveries since 1980 have transformed our knowledge of prehistoric Britain and provoked radical explanations and fresh ways of thinking about our nation's past. The lectures are thematic and show different methods of interpreting archaeological finds.

Aims:

• To understand the basic data that comprises British Prehistoric archaeology.

• To be aware of the chronological changes that occurred throughout the period.

• To recognise the complexities of the transitions between the chronological periods.

• To introduce the developmental models that are required to understand the topic.

• To evaluate the current models and debates for site and monument interpretation.

• To be aware that new discoveries may alter interpretations and dating.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By studying British Prehistory you will:

• Obtain an accurate basic, factual knowledge of sites, monuments and artefacts.

• Understand a chronological progression through the different archaeological periods.

• Be able to critically analyse the data.

• Be able to use models to interpret the cultural complexities of different prehistoric societies.

Teaching Information

Teaching Block 2: Two hours of lectures per week over a ten week period, followed by a class test, film and revision class.

Assessment Information

1. You are expected to attend at least 80% of all classes and preferably 100%. You will be expected to sign a register each week.

2. One essay of 1500-2000 words (50%).

The essay will be submitted electronically via Blackboard on Mon 28 March 2011 by 12.00 noon. The essay will be returned to you by Tue 3rd May 2011 (the return date takes into account the Easter vacation).

3. Multiple Choice Test (25%).

This is a 50 minute class test which will take place in LT1 on Wednesday 4 May 2011. The Multiple Choice test will test you on facts and knowledge you have gained from the lectures and your own reading and will include a selection of illustrations that you will identify. Practice questions will be given to you each week at the end of the lectures.

4. Final exam (25%).

A 60 minutes exam that will be taken during exam week in May. Date to be announced.

Reading and References

The latest key textbooks are:

Bradley, R. 2007. The Prehistory of Britain and Ireland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. On order for The Arts & Social Library..

Hunter, J. and Ralston, I. 2009. The Archaeology of Britain. London: Routledge. It costs £20 (paperback) available from Amazon.

Darvill,T. 2010. Prehistoric Britain. London: Batsford. It costs £20 (paperback) available from Amazon.

Megaw, J.V.S. & Simpson, D.D.A. 1979. Introduction to British Prehistory. Leicester University Press. This is out of print, but can be found second-hand. It is a very good book for the course.

Pollard, J. (ed) 2008. Prehistoric Britain. Oxford: Blackwell.