Course Catalogue

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While there has been a surge in historical and archaeological research related to the African diaspora, the interdisciplinary study of historical and archaeological methodology of the Black Atlantic is less familiar in British universities. The course focuses on how archaeology contributes to historical studies of slavery and the post-emancipation era. Archaeology can complement or contradict primary sources or provide new nuanced insights into Black lifeways rendered silent in the archives. The course takes thematic approaches to the African diaspora in predominantly English-speaking North America and the Caribbean from the 17th to 19th centuries, including gender, race, identity, religion, and ethics in relation to the material record.

1 x 1hr lecture and 1 x 1hr seminar weekly over 10 weeks as scheduled in My Campus. This is one of the Honours options in History 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 History and Archaeology, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes.

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Research essay (1500 words) - 40%

■ Black Atlantic Exhibition project (2000 words) - 50%

■ Oral/Video Presentation: 5-minute Exhibition summary ('elevator pitch') - 10%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the essay and project, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ Written script or ppt slides as alternative to presentation.

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ Provide an awareness of interdisciplinary methods and intersectional approaches for studying the Black Atlantic.

■ Deepen the learning experience by connecting concepts across two different disciplines on the same topic.

■ Explore how archaeology is practised and presented to the public for understanding past Black lifeways.

■ - Consider how archaeology can be used as a tool for understanding how individuals adapted to and resisted forms of oppression and anti-Black racism.

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

■ Evaluate the relevance of archaeology and material culture to historical studies of the African diaspora.

■ Identify and evaluate current issues that impact public understanding of Black experiences during the slavery and post-emancipation eras.

■ Critically assess how enslaved peoples resisted and survived enslavement by analysing and evaluating secondary sources and historical and archaeological primary sources and material culture.

■ Compose sound historical arguments based on independent research for academic and public audiences.