ARCH06052 2019 IntroductIon to Archaeological Theory
Full Title
IntroductIon to Archaeological Theory
Transcript Title
IntroductIon to Archaeological
Code
ARCH06052
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
ARCH - Archaeology
Department
ESCI - Environmental Science
Level
06 - NFQ Level 6
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
€
Start Term
2019 - Full Academic Year 2019-20
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Chris Read
Programme Membership
SG_SAPPL_H08 201900 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Archaeology
SG_SAPPL_B07 201900 Bachelor of Science in Applied Archaeology
SG_SAPPL_C06 201900 Higher Certificate in Science in Applied Archaeology
Description
All archaeology is interpretive. Whether an archaeologist is aware of it or not, archaeological theory governs all archaeological interpretations. Theory affects every aspect of archaeology from how a site is excavated to how artefact assemblages are organised; from how excavations are interpreted to the identification of regional patterns and aspects of human nature and evolution. The best archaeologists are those who are not only aware of archaeological theory but of both its necessity and the limitations of any one theoretical paradigm.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
1.
Identify and differentiate the main theoretical paradigms used in archaeology.
2.
Explain the relationship between archaeological theory, method and interpretation.
3.
Review and attempt critiques of archaeological texts.
4.
Express these critiques of archaeological texts through oral and written mediums.
5.
Discuss the dichotomy between ‘objective' scientific analysis and ‘subjective' interpretation.
6.
Identify those questions which lie outside areas of ethical archaeological enquiry.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
A combination of lecturers, directed reading, student presentations and discussions of weekly topics in theroy.
Module Assessment Strategies
The assessments are based primarily on guided reading and the group discussion in seminar format of the key issues explored in the readings. The student will have to give a short presentation of two papers over the course of the module and lead the discussion. The final essay will focus on critical reading and writing, essential skills in professional archaeology.
Repeat Assessments
Standard
Module Dependencies
Prerequisites
None
Co-requisites
None
Incompatibles
None
Indicative Syllabus
Topics to be covered will include Culture History, Processual and Post Processual approaches; The Interpretation of Palaeolithic Cave Paintings;The Archaeology of Gender; Social Memory; Ethno-archaeology; The Archaeology of Politics/Nationalism; Landscape Archaeology; Cultural complexity/power relations; Pseudoarchaeology; Cognitive Archaeology; Material Culture Studies
.
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %
Coursework Assessment
| Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Presentations | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 30 % | OnGoing | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| 2 | Participation in discussion | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 30 % | OnGoing | 3,4,5,6 |
| 3 | Essay Essay 2000 words | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 40 % | End of Term | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Full Time Mode Workload
| Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problem Based Learning | Flat Classroom | Problem Based Learning | 2.5 | Weekly | 2.50 |
| Independent Learning | UNKNOWN | Self Study | 4.5 | Weekly | 4.50 |
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 2.50 Hours
Required & Recommended Book List
Required Reading
2006-09-11 A History of Archaeological Thought Cambridge University Press
2006-09-11 A History of Archaeological Thought Cambridge University Press
In its original edition, Bruce Trigger's book was the first ever to examine the history of archaeological thought from medieval times to the present in world-wide perspective. Now, in this new edition, he both updates the original work and introduces new archaeological perspectives and concerns. At once stimulating and even-handed, it places the development of archaeological thought and theory throughout within a broad social and intellectual framework. The successive but interacting trends apparent in archaeological thought are defined and the author seeks to determine the extent to which these trends were a reflection of the personal and collective interests of archaeologists as these relate - in the West at least - to the fluctuating fortunes of the middle classes. While subjective influences have been powerful, Professor Trigger argues that the gradual accumulation of archaeological data has exercised a growing constraint on interpretation. In turn, this has increased the objectivity of archaeological research and enhanced its value for understanding the entire span of human history and the human condition in general.
Required Reading
2012-04-17 Archaeological Theory Today Polity
ISBN 0745653073 ISBN-13 9780745653075
2012-04-17 Archaeological Theory Today Polity
ISBN 0745653073 ISBN-13 9780745653075
Rare Book
Module Resources
Non ISBN Literary Resources
Contemporary Archaeology in Theory: A Reader edited by Robert W. Preucel and Ian Hodder
B.G. Trigger's A History of Archaeological Thought
Matthew Johnson's Archaeological Theory: an introduction
Journal Resources
selected
URL Resources
www.hallofmaat.com
Other Resources
None
Additional Information
None