UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH MODULE RECORD

MODULE CODE: FDAP204

CREDITS: 20

LEVEL: 2

MODULE TITLE: ARCHAEOLOGY AND SOCIETY

PRE-REQUISITE(S): None

CO-REQUISITE(S): n/a

COMPENSATABLE WITHIN THIS PROGRAMME:  No

SHORT MODULE DESCRIPTOR

This module explores the role of archaeology in contemporary society and the modern world.

ELEMENTS OF ASSESSMENT: (C1) COURSEWORK   100%

Give Subject Assessment Panel Group to which module should be linked

Minimum pass mark for professional body accreditation

MODULE AIMS:

The module aims to contextualise Archaeological Practice  within a social framework:

• the value of archaeology to society
• the ethics of dealing with human and cultural remains of other societies
• the statutory and policy requirements set by government to document, preserve and interpret material remains
• the responsibility and means to communicate the past to society.

ASSESSED LEARNING OUTCOMES:  At the end of a module the learner will be expected to be able to:

1. effectively communicate information, analysis and arguments to support the relevance of  archaeological investigation in contemporary society, in a variety of forms, to specialist and non-specialist audiences, and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively
2. critically evaluate the ethical and legal issues behind the excavation and storage of human and cultural remains
3. select and evaluate appropriate methods for communicating the results of archaeological investigations to different audience
4. critically evaluate the roles and functions of key organisations involved in the archaeology of the UK.

INDICATIVE SYLLABUS CONTENT:

What is the relevance and importance of archaeology in contemporary society? Archaeology and World Politics; Advocacy in Archaeology; Communicating archaeology; Statutory protection of sites and portable antiquities in the UK; Restitution of cultural property; The treatment of human remains. Heritage Legislationt; Planning Policy Guidance 16; Portable Antiquities Scheme; Treasure Act; Restitution of Cultural Property; Ethical Issues. the notion of ethics and responsibility; the use of the past for establishing group identity with particular reference to nationalism; the concept of heritage; archaeology in the media; and the role of archaeology in situations of conflict. Public Agencies: DCMS; National & Local Authority Museums; Planning Authorities; English Heritage, Cadw, Environment and Heritage Service (Northern Ireland) and Historic Scotland; Academic organisations (Universities, Colleges and Schools). Voluntary Sector Agencies: The Council for British Archaeology, Council for Scottish Archaeology; CBA Wales. Contract Archaeology.

APPROVAL:     DATE OF APPROVAL:     23/05/07                  

DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION:     1/9/07         DATE(S) OF APPROVED CHANGE:     n/a

FACULTY: UPC

SCHOOL:

PARTNER INSTITUTION:

City College Plymouth

NAME OF SITE:

  MODULE LEADER: Win Scutt

Term* 1 & 2

 Assessment Criteria (Threshold Level) :

The student should be able to provide evidence of:

1. effectively communicate information, analysis and arguments to support the relevance of  archaeological investigation in contemporary society, in a variety of forms, to specialist and non-specialist audiences, and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively
2. critically evaluating the ethical and legal issues behind the excavation and storage of human and cultural remains
3. selecting and evaluating appropriate methods for communicating the results of archaeological investigations to different audiences
4. critically evaluating the roles and functions of key organisations involved in the archaeology of the UK.