2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CLAS1650 Introduction to Classical Archaeology

20 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Dr Sam Gartland
Email: s.d.gartland@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module is suitable for all students, regardless of whether they have any prior knowledge of the ancient classical world. It introduces students to the theory and practice of the archaeology of ancient Greece and Rome, engaging with the collections of ancient objects in the collections of the university and city museums and galleries

Objectives

The aim of this module is to provide students with an introduction to the theory and practice of the archaeology of ancient Greece and Rome. It provides an introductory survey of the theory, history, and development of classical archaeology, introduces basic archaeological techniques, and explores the social contexts for archaeological practice.
Museum visits and handling sessions in the Brotherton library’s Special Collections will give extensive opportunity to explore a range of ancient collections in a way that carefully integrates their study into the learning and skills objectives.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Identify and discuss basic features of the theory, history, development and practice of archaeology as pertaining to the Greek and Roman World.
2. Recognise the many and varied types of archaeological evidence and assess their relative value in comparison one with another.
3. Critically analyse the various forms of classical material data (literature, epigraphy, pottery, coinage, building remains, environmental evidence, etc.) and relate them to each other where appropriate.
4. Describe basic elements of the theoretical application of the principal techniques for the discovery, surveying and excavation of Classical sites.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Communicate effectively in writing evidence-based arguments and interpretations.
6. Employ appropriate strategies to interpret and analyse data from a range of material sources.
7. Critically assess different approaches and make connections across differing perspectives.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Practical	4	1.00	4.00
Seminar	5	1.00	5.00
Private study hours			181.00
Total Contact hours			19.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Via seminar discussions; via first piece of coursework (submitted mid-term).

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	1250 words	40.00
Assignment	1750 words	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Coursework 1: focussed on objects- how do we analyse individual pieces of material culture from the classical world, and communicate this information to non-specialists? Coursework 2: focussed on archaeological sites- consider one site and think about the practice of archaeology there and through this what we can learn about the people who lived and worked there.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 07/02/2024

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