ARCH06024 2019 World Archaeology
This course will consist of a general introduction to world archaeology for the student. Most Irish archaeology students never have the chance to study the archaeology from outside of Western Europe and rarely outside the time span present in Irish archaeology (roughly the last 10,000 years). This course will introduce the student to the story of the human past. From our earliest human ancestors in Africa, to their spread throughout the Old World to the development of agriculture and the rise of the great civilisations, this course will lead the student through highlights and turning points of human prehistory.
From this course the student will achieve a wide understanding of the scope of human prehistory and the major events and developments that have helped shape the more recent past. The student will gain an appreciation of how the archaeology of Ireland fits into a wider, global context.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Express archaeological knowledge and concepts through written and oral mediums.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
This module will be taught through the medium of weekly lectures and discussions of major topics. The essay and presentation will encourage independent research on topics of the student's choice, with their written and oral output assessed.
Module Assessment Strategies
The assesment strategy will be based on 50% for the final exam and 50% continuous assessment. The continuous assessment will be based upon an essay, a presentation (based on the essay) and a midterm exam. I the essay, students will be allowed to write about any element of world archaeology that interests them.
Repeat Assessments
Standard
Module Dependencies
Indicative Syllabus
Topics to be covered will include: Early Hominids and the emergence of Homo sapiens;The Middle and Upper Palaeolithic; The Mesolithic and Post-Pleistocene hunter gatherer adaptations; Introduction of Agriculture; Africa and Australia; Civilisations of Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt; The European Neolithic and Bronze Age; the civilisations of Asia and the Americas. The final two weeks of class will be devoted to student presentations fo their essay research.
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mid-term | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 20 % | Week 7 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
2 | Presentation | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 10 % | Week 12 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
3 | Essay | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 20 % | Week 13 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
End of Semester / Year Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Final exam | Final Exam | UNKNOWN | 50 % | End of Term | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Full Time Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lecture | Flat Classroom | Lecture | 3 | Weekly | 3.00 |
Independent Learning | UNKNOWN | Self Study | 4 | Weekly | 4.00 |
Required & Recommended Book List

2018-02-01 The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies Thames and Hudson Ltd
ISBN 0500294208 ISBN-13 9780500294208
Module Resources
The Human Past edited by Chris Scarre ISBN: 0-500-28531-4
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