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ARCH20610

Academic Year 2026/2027

Historical Archaeology (ARCH20610)

Subject:
Archaeology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Archaeology
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Tadhg O'Keeffe
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module explores the archaeology of the historically-documented past. It starts with the rise of Christianity in medieval Europe, passes through the eras of the Black Death, the discovery of the New World, and the Industrial Revolution, and ends with globalisation in the twenty-first century. Its case-studies are drawn from all corners of the world, mainly Ireland, Britain and the Americas. The module addresses specifically how the disciplines of Archaeology and History work together in helping us map and understand the development of the modern world.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should

(a) have a good understanding and a full appreciation of the contribution that Archaeology makes to the interpretation of the historical past

(b) know in broad outline the development of the modern world as revealed to us through the archaeological record

(c) know many of the key interpretative debates in the archaeological study of the modern world.

Indicative Module Content:

* The theory of historical archaeology: why, what, how?

* The fall of Rome, the dawn of the middle ages. and the legacy of Rome

* Vikings and Normans

* Europe and Asia in the high middle ages

* The making of modern Europe: trade, commerce, capitalism

* The first proper global archaeology: Europe overseas

* Non-European civilisations: the natives of the American continents

* Archaeology of race

* The industrial revolution and its impact

* Turbo-capitalism: the modern world

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Not addressed

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Not addressed

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Advanced Beginner

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Advanced Beginner

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Not addressed

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Advanced Beginner

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is taught in the classroom. Students will be expected to keep a journal of their reflections on the course - further details will be provided in class - and this will be assessed.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ARCH10120 - Historical World Archaeology

Additional Information:
Archaeology PhD students (DRHSC001 Z117, DRHSC001 Z118) may audit this module only.


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Students are given a choice of three topics on week 4 Week 7 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Students write a reflective journal based on what they have learned on the module, demonstrating in it their knowledge of the module's subject matter. Week 11 Graded No
60
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn 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?

UCD School of Archaeology use standard feedback sheets for all modules. Your feedback is provided on this form - the form also contains feed forward details - this will help you think about how you could improve your approach in future assignments.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
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