Contemporary Issues and Debates in Archaeology

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• the nature of archaeological practice as an often contested activity in the present;
• the links between archaeology and other disciplines including anthropology, philosophy, sociology, human geography, postcolonial studies and behavioural science.
• how contemporary social, political and economic contexts influence contemporary theory-building and archaeological practice;
• a range of current inferential, social and critical archaeological thinking;

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• critically evaluate key themes and debates in social archaeology;
• apply aspects of current archaeological thought to archaeological examples;
• appreciate the contested nature of the past, the variety of values placed upon it, and the sensitivity of academic research.
• demonstrate written communication skills;
• critically interrogate the social and political role of archaeological practice;

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• employ analytical skills appropriate to the study of social archaeology;
• identify appropriate theoretical tools to plan and carry out research for the dissertation in Year 3;
• undertake data collection, synthesis and presentation.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate written communication skills;
• gather information from a variety of sources, analyse and evaluate it critically.

Through lectures and related seminars, this module will cover:

* the influence of contemporary political, social and economic fields on archaeological practice and inference;

* contemporary theory in archaeology;

* how the archaeological past is valued, owned and contested, by both academic and public communities;

* how the past is represented through the media, museums and other modes of display.

Where appropriate, students will be directed to recent debates within the media and in academic circles that focus on issues relating to heritage and public engagement with archaeology (e.g. heritage at risk stories, TV portrayals, new legislation, and so forth). These may be used as the basis for seminar discussions.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures followed by group seminars/discussions.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Harris, O.J.T. & Cipolla C.N. (2017). Archaeological Theory in the New Millennium: introducing current perspectives. London: Routledge.

Renfrew, C (2000). Loot, Legitimacy and Ownership. London: Duckworth.

Holtorf, C. (2005). From Stonehenge to Las Vegas: Archaeology as Popular Culture. Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press.

Hodder, I. (ed.). (2012). Archaeological Theory Today. Cambridge: Polity.

Meskell, L. (ed.) (2009). Cosmopolitan Archaeologies. Durham: Duke University Press.

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