Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims:
• To provide students with an in-depth understanding and critical awareness of key themes in landscape archaeology
• To provide students with an in-depth understanding and critical awareness of methodologies used in landscape archaeology for research, analysis and management

Outline Of Syllabus

The course will address key approaches for landscape archaeology.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of seminars and practical activities.

• Key themes in research in landscape archaeology
• Data and methods for landscape archaeology
• Management of landscape archaeology and heritage in landscape

An integral part of the course will also be fieldtrips aimed at fostering key skills in understanding and analysing historic and multi-period landscapes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Key knowledge outcomes will be:
• An understanding of key sources, methodologies and data used in landscape archaeology in a regional and global perspective
• An in-depth understanding of key themes and concepts in landscape studies
• A critical understanding of the long-term history of landscapes
• A knowledge of key methods used in inter-disciplinary landscape research and an understanding of core issues in landscape management

Intended Skill Outcomes

Intended skills outcomes:
• An ability to critically assess and analyse current approaches to landscape archaeology
• A competence in key methodologies of landscape research
• An ability to collate and synthesise large datasets
• An ability to integrate different forms of evidence for landscape at a variety of scales
• An ability to analyse long-term landscape change
• An ability to formulate research-led strategies for landscape and heritage management.
• Critical argument
• Time and project management
• Oral communication and presentation skills
• IT skills in data analysis and presentation

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1. Seminars will provide advanced knowledge and critical understanding of themes through presentation and in-depth discussion of detailed case-studies.
2. Structured guided learning will provide additional knowledge (lectures and related materials) and assist preparation in advance of seminars and practical sessions, including preparation of seminar presentations.
3. Guided Independent Study to provide in-depth understanding through background reading, identification/collation/analysis of further data and perspectives to inform assessments.
4. Fieldwork will enable students to acquire practical skills that cannot be delivered in class (e.g. on-site identification of archaeological features and landscape analysis). 11 hours allowed is max time foreseen needed for two fieldtrips (one of 7 hours, one of 4 hours, including travel time to site/s).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Practical/Lab report 1 will test students’ competence in practical skills, as well as the ability to analyse data gained through fieldwork and practical exercises.

Essay 1 will assess ability to analyse data and published interpretations critically and display mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge, advanced skills relating to key themes in landscape archaeology, and data for a particular case study landscape. Students will conduct research using methods and techniques taught through seminars and practicals. Essays will be assessed according to established MA criteria in the degree programme handbook.

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

Formative work (poster) provides opportunity to develop advanced skills relating to key themes in landscape archaeology; and receive feedback on work in progress towards Essay 1.

This module can be made available to Erasmus students only with the agreement of the Head of Subject and of the Module Leader. This option must be discussed in person at the beginning of your exchange period. No restrictions apply to study-abroad, exchange and Loyola students.

All Erasmus students at Newcastle University are expected to do the same assessment as students registered for a degree.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. This will take the form of an alternative assessment, as outlined in the formats below:

Modules assessed by Coursework and Exam:
The normal alternative form of assessment for all semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be one essay in addition to the other coursework assessment (the length of the essay should be adjusted in order to comply with the assessment tariff); to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.

Modules assessed by Exam only:
The normal alternative form of assessment for all semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be two 2,000 word written exercises; to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.

Modules assessed by Coursework only:
All semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be expected to complete the standard assessment for the module; to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.
Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending the whole academic year or semester 2 are required to complete the standard assessment as set out in the MOF under all circumstances.

General Notes

N/A