Course Catalogue

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This course engages with the history of modern Scotland (1798-2014) through the lens of material culture. The modern era saw an unprecedented increase in the production of 'things' to satisfy the material needs and wants of a burgeoning populace. Students will grapple with these objects to understand themes in modern Scottish society, culture, and politics. First, they will develop an understanding of the overarching frameworks for material culture research, before moving on to apply these frameworks in explorations of developing social and political identities in Scotland.

8 x 1-hour lectures and 8x 1-hour seminars plus a 2-hour mini-conference and a 2-hour workshop over 10 weeks as scheduled in My Campus.

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

Report (2,000 words) -- 60%

Portfolio (3 x 500 words) -- 40%

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:

■ Equip students with the theoretical tools needed to engage in material culture research as it relates to history.

■ Provide students the research skills necessary to locate, understand, and analyse historical objects.

■ Improve students' knowledge of major themes in modern Scottish history.

■ Introduce students to shifts in social, national, and political identities in modern Scotland.

■ Give students confidence in their ability to communicate their ideas verbally and develop their skills in written communication.

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

■ Analyse historical object for their meanings as well as their significance to historical debates.

■ Outline their own theoretical approach to object-based research, with reference to established schools of thought.

■ Explain the impact of material culture research on existing historiographies.

■ Produce a coherent and impactful argument in a convincing and engaging manner.

■ Reflect on research-based class discussions.

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