ARCH06041 2019 EARLY MEDIEVAL AND VIKING IRELAND
This course will cover the archaeology and history of the period dating from approximately 400AD-1100AD. Over this period, lasting only 700 hundred years, Ireland changed dramatically. It started with the Roman Empire's only major impact on Ireland, the introduction of Christianity and culminates with the invasion of the Vikings. The Early Medieval Period also heralds the arrival of the Historic Period in Ireland with the first written records. This has greatly influenced the interpretation of the archaeological record. Compared to the earlier Iron Age, the nature of the archaeological record changes dramatically. Population change, the impact of a new religion alongside native paganism, burial practices, material cutlure and new settlement types, such as Ireland's most common field monument, the Ringfort, are examined. The intrinsic importance of agricullture and economy to Early Medieval society is discussed as well as trade and exchange and crafts and technology. Viking raids, which eventually spawned the development of Viking towns and Ireland's first urban centres, reveal a rich archaeological record which continues to be studied today.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Understand Early Medieval society, its relationship with agriculture and economy and its impact upon trade and technology
Module Assessment Strategies
Through the esaay, the student will develop research skills, including collating, presenting and writing relevant information, clearly and coherently to an academic and public audience. The field trip will allow the student to observe, record, understand and familiarise themselves with monuments, buildings and features in a practical hands-on manner which compliment and are relevant to the taught lectures while the exam will assess the student's overall learnt understanding of the module.
Module Dependencies
Indicative Syllabus
Week 1 Introduction
Week 2 Early Medieval Society Structure, Social and Political Organisation
Week 3 Development of Christianity and Native Paganism
Week 4 The Church (Forms, Physical Structures, Layout & Society)
Week 5 Development of Writing, Art & Sculpture
Week 6 Field Trip
Week 7 Death and Burial in Early Medieval Ireland
Week 8 Settlement and Settlement Types in Early Medieval Ireland
Week 9 Agriculture & Economy in Early Medieval Ireland
Week 10 Trade and Exchange, Crafts and Technology
Week 11 Material Culture
Week 12 The Vikings in Ireland (Edwards Chapter 8) and Viking Religion
Week 13 Viking and Hiberno-Norse Towns & Settlement (Excavation Record)
Guest Lecture
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Written Report Field Trip | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 20 % | Week 6 | 2,6 |
2 | Project | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 40 % | Week 12 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
End of Semester / Year Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Final Exam | Final Exam | UNKNOWN | 40 % | End of Term | 1,2,3 |
Full Time Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lecture | Flat Classroom | Lecture | 2.5 | Weekly | 2.50 |
Independent Learning | UNKNOWN | Self Study | 4.5 | Weekly | 4.50 |
Module Resources
Edwards, N. 1990 The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland, London
Corlett, C. and Potterton, M. (eds.) 2011 Settlement in Early Medieval Ireland in the light of recent archaeological excavations, Dublin
Corlett, C. and Pottterton, M. (eds.) 2010 Death and Burial in Early Medieval Ireland in the light of recent archaeological excavations, Dublin
Stout, M. 1997 The Irish Ringfort, Dublin
Simpson, L. 1998 Directors Findings: Fishamble Street/Exchange Street Upper (Viking Excavation), Dublin
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