Aims

The last sixty years have seen some radical changes in how we study the past. The majority of these stem from the recognition that the past must be actively interpreted in the present. During this module we will explore the major trends in archaeological theory over the last sixty years and consider how each of these assists in the interpretation of the past. Such theoretical trends have not only shaped archaeology but also played an integral role in many other disciplines, including anthropology, history of all kinds, geography, philosophy, sociology and cultural theory. For that reason, topics covered in this module are of wider relevance as they provide a guide to the ideas characteristic of the modern and postmodern world in which we live. Nonetheless, while the course is designed to address theoretical perspectives on the past, emphasis will be given to the practical deployment of theoretical perspectives in interpreting the past.

This module aims to develop an awareness of the relationship between archaeological interpretation and theoretical reasoning, to provide a detailed understanding of developments in archaeological theory over the last four decades, and to illustrate the impact of different theoretical approaches on our understanding of the past and on present social, cultural and political contexts. It also aims to develop your ability to recognise and critically evaluate differing theoretical perspectives and communicate these to others.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics may include:
Introduction: the importance of theory
Culture as history
Culture as process
Society and culture as political: Marxism and post-processual archaeology
Culture as meaning
Contextual and post-structuralist archaeologies
Archaeology and lived experience
Agency and theories of practice
Identities that matter, identities in practice
An ontological turn: agency and materiality revisited
New materialism and assemblage theory
Archaeological theory and contemporary society

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

A series of subject-specific lectures will provide an introduction to the aims and objectives of the module nd a detailed outline of notable developments in archaeological theory over the last four decades.

Alongside the lectures students will attend weekly seminars. Nine of these will act as workshops where students, lead by the seminar leader, analyse key texts in archaeological theory. This will assist in preparation of the assessed work. The other two seminars will include a forum for discussing the aims, methods and mechanics of the module, and essay preparation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The essay topics will relate to debates covered in lectures and seminars and assess students’ abilities to analyse or compare positions. The formative presentation is designed to give students a chance to gain verbal feedback on their work towards a topic assessed by one of the essay questions.

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

The essay questions for this module require students to explore both a set of theoretical concepts and apply them to at least one case study, it is very difficult to do this rigorously in less than 2000 words. The formative assessments allow students to explore the theoretical concepts and receive feedback prior to formal assessment, and serve to reduce student concerns over whether they have understood the material.