Unit name | Prehistoric Landscapes (Supervised Independent Study B) |
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Unit code | ARCHM0072 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Joanna Bruck |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Anthropology and Archaeology |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit examines archaeological approaches to the recording, analysis and interpretation of prehistoric landscapes. The wealth of prehistoric landscapes in southwest England (including, for example, the Salisbury Plain, the Somerset Levels and the Mendips) will form a particular focus of study, supplemented by other examples from across Britain and Europe, including uplands, lowlands, wetlands and the intertidal zone. It explores how societies at different times have used landscapes for subsistence, settlement, agriculture and ritual purposes, as well as for defence and prestige. Excavation and palaeoenvironmental evidence will be considered in detail to explore how different societies have interacted with the environment. Fieldtrips will supplement class-based discussion of a range of key methodologies and theoretical issues in landscape archaeology.
Aims:
At the end of the unit, a successful student will be able to:
Lectures, fieldtrips and site visits (20 contact hours minimum). The times and duration of each session will be determined at the beginning of the teaching block in consideration of the number of students and their specific interests. Approximately half of the hours are fieldtrips or site visits.
The unit will be assessed by a submission (or submissions) to be agreed in advance with the Unit Director and topic tutor, and will be related to the chosen pathway or programme. The submission(s) will be equivalent in academic scope and weight to an essay of 5000 words. The topic and nature of the submission(s) will be agreed in advance of submission with the Unit Director or topic tutor, as appropriate.