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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Centre for Open Learning : History, Classics and Archaeology

Undergraduate Course: An Introduction to Archaeology (LLLE07041)

Course Outline
SchoolCentre for Open Learning CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryAn introduction to some of the fundamental principles of archaeology. This course will combine examinations of various archaeological sites and periods, with an exploration of the history of the subject and the methods and skills involved.
Course description A student taking this course will explore:
An Archaeology of Prehistory
Introduction to the course and an examination of the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, what we know, what we don¿t know and what the evidence indicates
Archaeological Theory & Methods
An exploration of the different types of archaeological theories and how they influence interpretation, an exploration of how different personal experiences influence archaeology and a look at the different methods used by archaeologists (e.g. surveys, excavation, aerial photography, etc)

Before the Romans: The Iron Age
A look at what the Iron Age was, the transition into the period, and pre-Roman connections.
A History of Archaeology
How do we know what we know about archaeology, and why it¿s important to know the origins of the area. We will cover the early antiquarians, the budding scholars to the modern archaeological companies.
The Romans are coming
A history of the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain, and the differences between the Empire, and the parts beyond it
An Archaeology of the World: Part 1
A look at several key periods of history from around the world including the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the rise of Christianity and the influence of these periods.
Medieval Archaeology
Covering the impact of the Dark and Middle Ages ¿ what exactly do we know, and what does the archaeological record tell us about life in these periods?
Archaeological Edinburgh
A guided tour of Edinburgh, pointing out some of the major archaeological sites and historic buildings of the city
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Identify the methods and theories involved in archaeological exploration and interpretation
  2. Have an awareness of key periods in archaeology
  3. Critically examine the evidence from archaeological sites, and the methods used in identifying these
  4. Analyse different types of evidence (i.e. documentary and physical, primary and secondary) and draw reasonable conclusions from this
  5. Formulate an informed view and have a basic grounding in archaeology
Reading List
Gamble, C. 2000. Archaeology: The Basics. London: Routledge.
Greene, K. 2002. Archaeology: An Introduction. London: Routledge
Johnson, M. 2010. Archaeological Theory: An Introduction. Chichester. Blackwell
Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. 2008. Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice. London: Thames & Hudson.
Trigger, B. 1989. A History of Archaeological Thought. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills An understanding of the methods and skills involved in archaeological research
Confidence in contributing to group discussion
Written analytical skills
Skills in close reading
KeywordsArchaeology,Introduction
Contacts
Course organiserDr Sally Crumplin
Tel:
Email:
Course secretaryMs Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email:
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