Maritime Aspects of Culture

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Apply current theoretical approaches in maritime archaeology
• Evaluate and critique past and current theoretical approaches
• Understand the nature of the marine environment and the potential for activity on it.

Cognitive Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Apply theoretical models to specific areas of maritime archaeological research and specific problems
• Assess a maritime landscape with respect to interpretation
• Assimilate and evaluate different theoretical perspectives
• Undertake independent research in the above areas

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• An awareness of the potential of both submerged terrestrially deposited archaeology and the remains of seafaring activities.
• A broad knowledge of recent and current maritime research trends
• A basic grounding in the theoretical approaches to maritime archaeology, maritime cultures and maritime landscapes
• An appreciation of the archaeological potential of boats, ships and associated material culture.
• A broad understanding of the history of the development of maritime archaeology

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Learn and apply new practical and theoretical skills
• Produce academic/commercial standard reports and presentations
• Plan, design and implement data research/collection and presentation

Topics will typically cover the following:

• Introduction to Maritime Archaeology
• Theory & Practice in Maritime Archaeology
• Maritime Landscapes & Seascapes
• Maritime Cultures
• Maritime Ethnography
• Island Archaeology
• Technology and Innovation
• Navigation and Mental Maps
• Maritime Prehistory
• Historical Archaeology
• Maritime Archaeology, looking to the future

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

• Weekly formal lectures to introduce key topics, themes and areas of study
• Regular student led seminars
• Appropriate field trips if Covid-related restrictions are removed

Learning methods include:

• Directed learning through lectures/seminars
• Guided self-study
• Completion of two assignments
• Use of online resources
• Use of library resources
• Oral presentation preparation and delivery on key topics

Resources & Reading list

Journal Articles

Westerdahl, C. (1992). The maritime cultural landscape. , IJNA 21.1: 5-14.

Blue, L (2003). Maritime Ethnography: The Reality of Analogy. Boats, Ships and Shipyards. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium of Boat and Ship Archaeology, Venice 2000: 334-338. Oxford: Oxbow Books..

Garrow, D. and Sturt, F (2011). Grey Waters Bright with Neolithic Argonauts? Maritime connections and the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition with the ‘western seaways’ of Britain, c. 5000-3500 BC.. Antiquity, Antiquity 85 (327) p. 59-72.

Farr, H (2004). Seafaring as Social Action. Journal of Maritime Archaeology, 1(1).

Cooney, G (2004). Introduction: seeing land from the sea. World Archaeology. , 35(3), 323-8.

Ingold, T (1993). The temporality of the landscape. World Archaeology. Conceptions of Time and Ancient Society, 25:2.

Textbooks

McGrail, S. (1998). Ancient Boats in North West Europe. London: : Longman.

Muckelroy, K. (1978). Maritime Archaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Gould, R.A. (2011). Archaeology and the Social History of Ships. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Lucas, G. (2012). Understanding the Archaeological Record. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Green, J. (2009). Maritime Archaeology, a Technical Handbook. London: Academic Press.

Hocker, F. M. & Ward, C. A. (2004). The Philosophy of Shipbuilding. Conceptual Approaches to the Study of Wooden Ships. College Station: Texas A & M University Press.

Steffy, J. R. (1994). Wooden Shipbuilding and the Interpretation of Shipwrecks.. Texas A&M University Press.

Gardiner, R. (2004). The Earliest Ships. The Evolution of Boats into Ships. Conway History of the Ship. London: Conway Maritime Press.

Rainbird, P. (2007). The Archaeology of Islands. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Adams, J. (2003). Ships, Innovation and Social Change. Aspects of carvel Shipbuilding in Northern Europe 1450 – 1850 [Archaeology to provide PDF.]. Stockholm: University of Stockholm.

Assessment strategy

Informal feedback will provided throughout the module via lectures, practicals, seminars and supervisions. Detailed and constructive written feedback will be given for all assignments submitted.

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