Landscape Archaeology: Understanding the Historic Environment
| Module title | Landscape Archaeology: Understanding the Historic Environment |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARCM225 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Hajnalka Herold () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
You will examine on this module sources, methods, and themes in the archaeological study of landscapes (e.g. settlement patterns and hierarchies, communication routes, field-systems and other land-uses, building remains, multi-phase sites, continuities and discontinuities in landscapes, designed landscapes), and explore key themes in the evolution of landscapes in a variety of locations, including Britain and continental Europe.
The content will be strongly interdisciplinary, covering field archaeology, historic landscape analysis, paleoenvironmental evidence, and the analysis of maps and documents. Although there are no pre-requisite modules, you will need to have a basic understanding of the techniques of archaeology (equivalent to undergraduate introductory level modules).
Module aims - intentions of the module
On completion of the module, you will understand the major sources and techniques used in the archaeological study of landscapes. You will be able to critically assess which methods are appropriate for studying particular landscapes and periods. The module’s focus on landscapes reflects one of Exeter’s major research strengths in this field, and also reflects the growing emphasis on this area within a wide range of professions including archaeology, planning and countryside management.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the range and application of techniques within landscape archaeology
- 2. Define and engage with the key concepts and philosophies that underpin our understanding of landscape change
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, making sound judgement in the absence of complete data
- 4. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the basic chronological development of landscapes discussed during the module
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Present to a high level clearly structured, well written and appropriately illustrated arguments
- 6. Take part in group discussions, and ask pertinent questions at the forefront of the subject
- 7. Learn constructively from verbal and written feedback
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Data collection in the archaeological study of landscapes
- Theoretical approaches in the archaeological study of landscapes
- Perspectives on Roman landscapes
- The Roman to medieval transition
- Early medieval centres and rural settlements
- The High Middle Ages, the late medieval period and beyond
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 20 | Lecture content, critical discussion and groupwork |
| Guided independent study | 130 | Including reading and preparation for lectures, seminars and assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interpretation of map (group work) | 15 minutes in-class exercise | 1-2, 6-7 | Oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critique of published landscape archaeology project focussing on the techniques used | 40 | 1500 words | 1-5,7 | Written feedback |
| Essay on a key period of landscape change | 60 | 2000 words | 1-5,7 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critique (1500 words) | Critique (1500 words) | 1-5,7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Essay (2000 words) | Essay (2000 words) | 1-5,7 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
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 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Key periodicals: Landscape History; Landscapes
Key books (including e-books)
- Aston, M. 1985: Interpreting the landscape. London. [e-book]
- Bowden, M. 1999: Unravelling the Landscape. Stroud.
- Creighton, O.H. 2009: Designs upon the Land: Elite Landscapes of the Middle Ages. Woodbridge.
- Hamerow, H. 2002: Early medieval settlements: the archaeology of rural communities in Northwest Europe 400–900. Oxford. [e-book]
- Muir, R. 1999: Approaches to Landscape. London. [e-book]
- Muir, R. 2000: The NEW Reading the Landscape. Exeter. [e-book]
- Rippon, S. 2004: Historic landscape Analysis. York. [http://www.archaeologyuk.org/books/Rippon2004]
- Rippon, S. 2008: Beyond the Medieval Village. Oxford. [e-book]
- Rippon, S. 2012: Making Sense of An Historic Landscape (Oxford) [e-book]
- Roberts, B. and Wrathmell, S 2002: Region and Place: A Study of English Rural Settlement, London.
- Smith, A. et al 2016: The Rural Settlement of Roman Britain. Britannia Monograph 29.
- Williamson, T 2003: Shaping Medieval Landscapes. Macclesfield.
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) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/11/2011 |
| Last revision date | 28/10/2020 |