Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module ARCH40330: RESEARCH TOPIC IN THEORY AND METHOD IN LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY

Department: Archaeology

ARCH40330: RESEARCH TOPIC IN THEORY AND METHOD IN LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY

Type Open Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Not available in 2021/22

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • Students will acquire a grounding in the theoretical principles underlying approaches to landscape archaeology from the tutorials, and a knowledge of the methodology employed in a range of specific regional applications from the lectures.

Content

  • Lectures:
  • Introduction & History of Landscape Archaeology
  • Desk-top assessment. The use of Maps, Air-photos, and satellite images
  • Historic maps and related sources
  • Documentary sources, place names, local memories etc., A) Britain B) Near East
  • Landscape geoarchaeology
  • Site survey & the continuous landscpe
  • Applied landscape archaeology (parts 1 & 2)

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • A knowledge of the history of landscape studies in archaeology
  • An understanding of the theoretical and methodological basis of landscape archaeology
Subject-specific Skills:
  • An understanding of the application landscape studies in Britain and other parts of the world (the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, the Middle East)
  • The ability to plan an archaeological landscape study
  • The ability to use remotely-sensed data in the analysis of archaeological problems
Key Skills:
  • The ability to present a landscape project.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures introduce the core subject knowledge
  • Practical classes allow students to develop subject skills and theoretical approaches
  • Seminars allow student to learn how to argue a case and develop presentation skills
  • The learning outcomes are assessed by an essay of 2500 words and a practical design for landscape survey.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 9 1 per term 2 hours 18 ■
Seminars 2 2 per term 1 hour 2 ■
Practicals 2 2 per term 2 hours 4
Preparation & Reading 276
Total 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
An essay of not more than 2500 words giving a critical assessment of the methodologies of landscape archaeology 2500 words 100%
Component: Design for a landscape survey Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
a design for a landscape survey max. 2500 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

The preparation achieved in the module RSS that precedes this module is considered to be sufficient formative preparation for the summative assignment in this module.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University