Unit name | Material Culture |
---|---|
Unit code | ANTHM0008 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Professor. Saunders |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Anthropology and Archaeology |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This course aims to give students a broad understanding of some of the most important issues in the development of material culture studies. The Unit provides an introduction to the study of material culture by historical archaeologists and anthropologists, and to the range of material culture in the modern and contemporary worlds. The global contexts of artefact manufacture, trade and consumption will be emphasised throughout.
Aims:
The aim of this unit is to introduce material culture studies in archaeology and anthropology. The unit will provide the student with a general knowledge of objects in the modern world (AD 1500-present), and of the diversity of analytical techniques, as well as a through grounding in anthropological 'theories of the object'. The student will develop their abilities to interpret and curate artefacts. Specific subjects which this Unit aims to cover include:
The unit will provide the student with a general knowledge of the range of material culture in the modern world (AD 1500-present), and of contemporary approaches to material in archaeology and social anthropology. The student will develop their abilities to interpret, quantify, and curate artefacts, and will understand the relationship between material culture studies and wider social theory.
Ten 2- 4 hour lectures (including fieldtrips).
4,000 word essay.