Artefacts and Materials
| Module title | Artefacts and Materials |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARC1040 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Marisa Lazzari (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Module description
This module will introduce you to the fascinating subject of material culture, especially as applied in archaeology. While classroom based, teaching is done through a combination of introductory lectures and hands-on activities. Some of the work and the assessment are done as small group exercises. The module will develop your skills in recognising artefacts and materials and an understanding of how archaeologists deal with them. Along with learning about artefacts as objects you will also learn about how they were made, their place in time and how they contribute to our understanding of the past. You do not need any prior experience with these materials and the module is appropriate within interdisciplinary studies. Whilst not mandatory, your studies will be complemented by ARC1050 Artefacts: Contexts and Display.
Module aims - intentions of the module
- The module will develop skills in recognising artefacts and materials and an understanding of how archaeologists deal with them. Modified materials form artefacts and structures and are a basic category of archaeological evidence. The module will introduce some of the key material categories encountered by archaeologists through practical group and individual assignments using a variety of presentation formats.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Recognise key features relating to the properties and processes of manufacture and use for different materials
- 2. Know appropriate methods for recording and analysing archaeological finds
- 3. Identify artefact types and use the concept of types effectively
- 4. Draw conclusions from observations of real objects and assemblages of artefacts
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Appreciate the significance of physical materials and technology in interpreting the past
- 6. Assimilate numerical and graphical data
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Work effectively within a group
- 8. Contribute as an individual within group work
- 9. Produce clear and concise work in a variety of written and presentational formats
Syllabus plan
This module is arranged as a series of themed sessions linked to artefact and material categories. Each session will include introductory lectures and/or demonstrations, teaching sessions, practical exercises and independent individual and group study. Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Introduction to artefacts
- Stone artefacts
- Pottery
- Bone artefacts
- Perishable materials and artefacts
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 117 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 33 | Lectures (11 x 3 hours) |
| Guided independent study | 117 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group presentation | 15 minutes | 1-8 | Oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 0 | 50 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written assignment: an illustrated artefact report | 50 | 1000 words | 1-6, 9 | Written feedback |
| In-class artefact-based test | 50 | Up to 800 words (you will receive 3 artefacts and write a short description considering various aspects of your artefacts; no references required) | All | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written assignment: an illustrated artefact report | Written assignment: an illustrated artefact report | 1-6, 9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| In-class artefact-based test | Written report (1000 words maximum plus references) | All | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Re-assessment for in-class based test will be coursework.
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Hurcombe, L.M., 2007: Archaeological Artefacts as Material Culture. London: Routledge.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 30/06/2014 |
| Last revision date | 09/01/2019 |
