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ARCH41170

Academic Year 2024/2025

Material Culture (ARCH41170)

Subject:
Archaeology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Archaeology
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Jessica Smyth
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Fieldwork Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

ARCH41170 is a core module for the MSc in Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology, the MSc in Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture, and the MSc in Archaeology. This reflects the fact that material culture is a vital tool for the archaeologist, with objects a major category of archaeological evidence and much, much older than the written record. In the modern world we are increasingly surrounded by objects, but our relationships to these things are mostly classed as that of consumers rather than producers. The aim of ARCH41170 is thus to help you look differently and more critically at objects from the past (and the present), to appreciate the huge importance material culture holds for understanding human society, and how archaeologists are striving to analyse and understand it.

This module will provide students with an introduction to the identification, analysis, and interpretation of archaeological material culture (i.e. objects produced and used by past peoples). While standard approaches to object analysis and interpretation have tended to emphasise their finished forms (typologies or aesthetic characteristics), this module will add to this by examining the evidence for production and use. By incorporating these elements, a more holistic understanding of material culture can be gained, allowing us to better research and understand these objects.

The overall objective in this module will be for you to learn how researchers have sought to describe, analyse, and think about some of the more common archaeological artefact types. You will be introduced to specific terminologies and some of the more common analytical techniques used by specialists and researchers.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

ARCH41170 is a UCD Level 4 module. At Level 4, students are expected to demonstrate specialized, detailed or advanced theoretical and conceptual knowledge and understanding, which is based on consideration of current debate and controversy at the forefront of the field. This knowledge and understanding provides a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context.

On completion of this module you should be able to:
1. Identify and clearly describe some of the more common archaeological materials and objects.
2. Identify and critically assess the use of various approaches to material culture in different research projects
3. Have an introductory understanding of some of the more common analytical methods.

Indicative Module Content:

In this 10 credit module, there are three scheduled contact hours per week over 12 weeks. The Friday morning 1-hour slot is intended as a traditional lecture slot, where key content will be introduced. The Wednesday morning 2-hour slot is intended as a seminar slot where students are expected to engage with and discuss key readings and concepts, often through group and discussion. There may also be practical, hands-on aspects to these 2-hour slots facilitated by the Module Coordinator. Please note, some of the Friday lectures in this module will be provided by specialist researchers in particular fields and typically change year-on-year.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Seminar (or Webinar)

22
Specified Learning Activities

80
Autonomous Student Learning

86
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The main teaching and learning approaches of this module are

- Active learning
- Experiential learning
- Class based lectures/seminars
- Practical materials engagement

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: Poster: prepare a research poster (digital, in PDF format) showcasing how an author sought to understand their material culture.

 Week 5 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Research Project: pick an archaeological object and write a research project on it. 4000 words excl. bibliography
 Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

70

 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

You will receive mandatory one-to-one feedback with the module coordinator after your first assessment. This will help guide you towards making improvements for your second assessment and will be targeted specifically at structure, formatting and writing style. Feedback for your second assessment is optional, but highly recommended, and will focus on project design, expression and content.

Name Role
Professor Joanna Bruck Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ryan Lash Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Brendan O'Neill Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Aidan O'Sullivan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Anita Radini Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Graeme Warren Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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