Emergence of Civilisation: domesticating ourselves and others

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• general knowledge and understanding of the multiple and regionally diverse nature of the worldwide development of complex human societies
• general understanding of the problems which arise from our own position in the cultural and intellectual tradition of the developed western world.
• more detailed understanding of regional cultural sequences.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• critically assess arguments presented to explain major developments in prehistory
• assess the nature of archaeological evidence employed to address questions concerning social change in prehistory
• critically evaluate competing explanations about past events

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• present a written argument
• verbally discuss ideas with peers and staff

This course takes a comparative look at the origins of agriculture, the growth and variability of agricultural societies, and the development of civilisation in a number of different regions of the world, from the Near East to China and Mesoamerica, as well as Europe. It emphasises the similarities in the historical development of individual regions as well as the variety of cultures and different organisations concerned.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include

• Lectures
• Seminars

Learning activities include

• Independent study
• Reflective blog posts
• Seminars
• Lectures

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Scarre, Chris (ed) (2013). The Human Past: World Prehistory and the development of human societies. London: Thames and Hudson.

Bogucki, P (1999). The origins of human society. Oxford: Blackwell.

Bellwood, P. (2005). First Farmers: The origins of Agricultural Societies. Oxford: Blackwell.

Smith, M.E. (ed) (2012). The comparative Archaeology of Complex Societies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Yoffee, N. (2005). Myths of the Archaic State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Barnett, W.K. and J.W. Hoopes (eds) (1995). The emergence of pottery: technology an innovation in ancient societies. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press.

Price, T.D. and G.M. Feinman (2005). Images of the Past. London: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External