The Deep Past, History and Humanity
Module title | The Deep Past, History and Humanity |
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Module code | ANT2015 |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Dr Adrian Currie (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
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Module description
What we can know about the past of our species, and what can this tell us about the natures of humanity and history? To answer such questions, we’ll draw on philosophical and anthropological accounts of both historical science and human history, including archaeological and biological perspectives. We’ll consider whether practises like archaeology are scientific, whether historical events are discovered or created and question whether we can ever truly know past cultures. This together will help us ask what understanding humanity’s history is for. Although the module takes a philosophical approach, it will be interdisciplinary, and of particular interest to students of a historical or anthropological bent.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will cover five overlapping debates concerning the natures of history, historical knowledge and humanity. The aim is to introduce you to anthropological, philosophical, archaeological and historiographical considerations of epistemology and method with the skills required to critically engage and reflect upon those considerations. In addition to theoretical knowledge and skills, you will also learn how to incorporate case studies into critical analysis. Some of the lectures will include input from practicing archaeologists, and there will likely be a field trip to tour a museum or a dig.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary debates about historical science and historical knowledge.
- 2. Critically engage with a case study from humanitys deep past.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Demonstrate the capacity to ability to analyse and critique arguments and positions.
- 4. Synthesize theoretical and empirical information.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Critically integrate different disciplinary approaches.
- 6. Demonstrate clear, concise writing and analysis.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following questions:
1. Are the historical sciences sciences?
2. To what extent can we gain knowledge of human culture from material remains?
3. What is the nature of events in human history?
4. Can biological and cultural perspectives on human nature be integrated?
5. What is history for?
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hours weekly lectures/seminars |
Guided Independent Study | 45 | Preparation for lectures and tutorial participation including reading and planning. |
Guided Independent Study | 83 | Independent research for assignments. |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Essay plan | 100 word essay proposal | 1-6 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Mini-Essay 1 | 25 | 800 words | 1-6 | Written |
Mini-Essay 2 | 25 | 800 words | 1-6 | Written |
Essay | 50 | 2000 words | 1-6 | Written |
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 |
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Mini-Essay 1 | Mini-Essay (800 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Mini-Essay 2 | Mini-Essay (800 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Essay | Essay (2000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Turner, D. (2007). Making prehistory: Historical science and the scientific realism debate. Cambridge University Press.
Cleland, C. E. (2002). Methodological and epistemic differences between historical science and experimental science. Philosophy of Science, 69(3), 447-451.
Currie, A. (2018). Rock, Bone, and Ruin: An Optimist's Guide to the Historical Sciences. MIT Press.
Chapman, R., & Wylie, A. (2016). Evidential reasoning in archaeology. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Danto, A.C. (1965), Analytical Philosophy of History, London, Cambridge University Press.
Keller, E. F. (2016). Thinking about biology and culture: can the natural and human sciences be integrated?. The Sociological Review, 64(1_suppl), 26-41.
Collingwood, R. G. (1993). The idea of history. Oxford University Press
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 5 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 13/03/2018 |
Last revision date | 23/02/2022 |