Course Catalogue

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This course critically explores archaeology's colonial inheritances and practices from both local and international perspectives. Students will apply the practical skills and theoretical knowledge learnt to a public-engagement project focussed on colonial heritage in small groups and demonstrate their analytical, research, and public engagement skills with individual portfolios of project work.

10x2hr classes over 10 weeks, comprising 5 hours of lectures, 7 of seminars, and 8 of project supervision, as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Archaeology and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Archaeology, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

None

None

One reflexive essay of 1500 words (30%)

One portfolio of 2500 words (70%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ Explore the Western, colonial legacy of archaeology, particularly around its theories, methods, and wider socio-political context.

■ Equip students with theoretical knowledge and skills to investigate historical and methodological bias in the study of the past.

■ Provide opportunities for students to develop practical skills and creative approaches involved in the design, development, and communication of public engagement projects in archaeology and heritage.

■ Develop the ability to work independently and as part of a team through project-based work

■ Enhance employability through developing social and cultural competence skills which are relevant to the archaeology and heritage sector and transferable to other contexts.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically analyse and reflect on the historical context in which archaeology developed as a discipline, how it has impacted the ways in which we study the past and the narratives that are communicated to the wider public.

■ Critically interrogate the close association between archaeology and present-day structures such as class, colonialism, ethnicity, and gender.

■ Work independently and as part of a team on a public engagement project and demonstrate professional practical skills.

■ Formulate complex arguments and communicate ideas effectively.

■ Demonstrate in practice an ethical and social awareness of archaeology's role in a contemporary setting.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.