COURSE OUTLINE
AS Archaeology - Module 3 - Religion and Ritual in prehistoric Britain and Ireland (Neolithic to Iron Age)
A Brief Description
Archaeology is the study of past human societies from the investigation of past human material remains. This material culture includes remains that have been recovered from the ground (for example, through excavation), as well as remains that are known or thought to exist beneath the ground or water (for example, detected through survey).
This course represents Module 3 of the AS in Archaeology, AQA syllabus, and covers the essential and key concepts of religion and ritual in prehistoric Britain and Ireland (Neolithic to Iron Age).
Target group of learners
The course will appeal to anyone who is interested in the past and in the relics of past human activity. No previous knowledge of the subject is required, although an interest in archaeology or previous experience of excavation would be useful. Students should have achieved at least grade C in 5 GCSE subjects. As an AS level course, it is designed as an option for those full-time or in-fill students who either wish to study the subject for its own sake, to compliment other A/AS levels or GNVQ programmes, or as preparation for a further course or professional training. As a subject area, archaeology encourages critical, analytical and original thought; studying this multi- disciplinary subject at AS level will help students to develop a range of skills that are transferable to other subjects or to further archaeological study. Complementary and background disciplines include all science subjects, history, sociology and geography, although a reasonable standard of English and mathematics would also be desirable. Please note that although Archaeology “A” level is not generally considered a compulsory prerequisite to entry onto a degree programme in this subject, it would be reasonable to assume that successful achievement would be considered advantageous in obtaining such a place.
Length and Format
This Module is taught over 10 weeks in the second and third terms of the academic year, each week providing 4 guided learning hours.
Each lesson will introduce an aspect, or aspects, of religion and ritual, working chronologically and thematically from approximately 5000 BC to 50 BC. Students will be encouraged to relate what they learn to current archaeological activity, either from sites which they personally visit or from articles which are presented on television or in newspapers / magazines. Guidance will be provided on site visiting and additional reading in order to facilitate this.
Students should aim for 100% attendance. Although it is accepted that this may not always be possible, students who unavoidably miss sessions must make it their own responsibility to make up the work they have missed either through liaison with the tutor or with fellow students.
Although each Module will be presented as a discrete unit, students should note that module content will overlap and is indeed intended to do so. As students develop their skills in one Module / subject area they will be encouraged to use those skills when approaching other Modules in the syllabus.
Aims
The aims of the course are:
- To provide an overview of some of the essential and key concepts of how archaeologists study religion and ritual.
- To provide an overview of some of the key features of religion and ritual as expressed archaeologically in the Neolithic through to the Iron Age of Britain and Ireland.
- To prepare students for Module 3 of the AS level Archaeology, AQA syllabus.
- To develop the requisite skills and background knowledge necessary for students to progress to (potentially) the A level syllabus.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Critically identify the main ways in which archaeologists study ritual and religion.
- Identify and analyse some of the key features of religion and ritual as expressed archaeologically in the Neolithic through to the Iron Age of Britain and Ireland.
- Confidently and competently answer past / sample examination papers from Module 3 of the AQA AS level syllabus in Archaeology.
- Identify and describe local archaeological sites that are of relevance to understanding religion and ritual from the Neolithic through to the Iron Age (it is intended that this will be from personal experience of such sites).
- Produce and maintain a portfolio of copies of articles relating to any archaeological activity, taken from various aspects of the media, that illustrate the expression of religion and ritual from anywhere in the world.
Topics
The main topics to be covered are:
- An introduction to prehistoric chronology, time-lines and developments in Britain and Ireland.
- An overview of how archaeologists study the theme of religion and ritual:
- Religion and ritual focus respectively on belief systems and on actual activities related to such beliefs. For example, there may be belief in a journey to an afterworld which demands that mortuary practices (such as cremation and inhumation) and their related structures ( such as elaborate funerary monuments) include the provision of food or money for the deceased during such a journey.
- Rituals may be a personal affair or may be a highly organised group activity, with a clear structure of performance at special locations, often in the hands of specialist religious and ritual organisations (such as a priesthood).
- Rituals can often be shown to take place at particular locations and/or in specific structures which often demonstrate association with the surrounding landscapes and/or act as a focus of belief. For example, such loactions and/or structures might included lakes, peat bogs, rivers, caves, henges and/or other built structures such as barrows. These locations are often long-lived and adopted by successive cultures.
- Religious belief and ritual practice are often associated with symbolic expression, very often linked to art works, making use of symbols which allow differing interpretations according to the differential knowledge of the observer, but capable of conveying strong messages through the images employed.
Teaching Methods
The main methods that will be utilised for this course are:
- Lectures
These provide the over-view of the subject necessary for students to grasp the basic principles in order that they may develop and underpin their knowledge through their own private study and research. These lectures will be interspersed with illustrations, either OHP foils or use of a slide projector. The lectures will be informal and questions will be asked of the students to ensure their understanding. Pertinent questions from the students will be encouraged.
- Discussion
To reinforce key concepts and ideas, the group will be encouraged to discuss specific issues. This will be particularly relevant where ethical issues are being considered as students will be able to appreciate that there are often several viewpoints in a debate. Occasionally students may be asked to role-play a certain viewpoint in order to facilitate a discussion.
- Research
Students will need to complete the set / background reading in order to fully participate in the course. Students will also be encouraged to "read around" the subject and will be provided with lists of recommended reading to facilitate this. Handouts will be supplied by the tutor and it is expected that these will be read and used as revision and study aids. Use of the internet will be especially encouraged.
- Site visits
It is intended that students will visit as many local sites of archaeological interest as possible. Suggestions will be made by the tutor as to which sites to visit but it will be appreciated that not all students will have the means to do this. It is very much hoped that group visits will be able to be made to at least a few local sites.
Resources Required
It is intended to provide handouts to students in order to reinforce teaching; it is expected that these will be read and used as revision and study aids by the students.
If site-visits are authorised, students will be advised in advance when to bring appropriate clothing and footwear for fieldwork.
There will be some set text books which students will be encouraged to purchase personal copies of, although the College library will also stock a couple of copies of each recommended title. Students will benefit from having access to a computer with a link to the internet, although this facility is also available in the College.
Assessment
There will be 2 assignments set for this Module, approximately one every 4 weeks, and each will involve answering a question from a past or sample examination paper. These assignments are to provide examination practice and feedback on progress only, they will not contribute to the students' final grade. They will be marked by the course tutor. These assignments are in addition to the site visits and additional recommended reading mentioned previously.
Students will be periodically asked to produce evidence for their portfolio of copies of articles relating to any archaeological activity, taken from various aspects of the media, that illustrate the theme of religion and ritual from anywhere in the world. Students who are having trouble completing this aspect of the course will be advised as to how they can obtain this information.
It will be evident from students' ability to answer questions and join in discussions whether they are completing their set / background reading, and associated note-taking. This is an important aspect of the course as the syllabus requires that students achieve a breadth of archaeological knowledge which is only viably achievable though personal study. Students' motivation in this regard will be monitored and if any problems become apparent the tutor will make specific suggestions.
To obtain the AS level, students will need to complete a further two Modules. Each Module will be taught over 10 weeks, with 3 sessions each week: a total of 45 guided learning hours per Module.
As stated, the course will be examined under the AQA assessment for AS level, with each of the 3 AS Modules being examined separately. Each Module can be examined on completion with examinations being able to be taken in January and June of each year. The examination for Module 3 carries 30% of the total marks of the AS level and comprises one paper. There are 2 compulsory questions to answer, each of 5 parts. This examination is 1 hour in duration and the paper is marked by external examiners.
Course Evaluation & Student Assessment
In addition to internal marking and monitoring of the learning tasks described above, the course will, of course, be judged by the actual achievement of the students in examination. As well as this, at the end of each Module, and the course as a whole, students will be asked to complete an anonymous course evaluation form, the responses to which will be used to improve the course in future. Finally, the student "retention rate" will be monitored and, if any students do leave the course early, their reasons for doing so will be elicited and, where possible, rectified.
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