Unit information: Historical Archaeology of the Modern World (1500-2000AD) in 2009/10

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Unit name Historical Archaeology of the Modern World (1500-2000AD)
Unit code ARCHM0012
Credit points 30
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Emeritus Professor. Mark Horton
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

An introduction to the archaeology of the modern world, 1500-2000AD. The unit will trace the archaeological remains of European expansion during the past 500 years, and will teach comparative approaches to this material. The unit will begin with an introduction to archaeology, texts, the modern world and the 'people without history'. Subsequent themes will comprise the archaeology of transition (1400-1600AD), the archaeology of 17th century Europe and European expansion, 18th and 19th century Europe, colonial Archaeology in the New World, Africa and Asia, industrial archaeology, and the archaeology of the 20th century. Cultural Reource Management and contested archaeologies will be considered in the final session.

Aims:

To provide the student with a sound understanding of the archaeology of the modern world, and previous approaches to its interpretation. Specific subjects which this unit aims to cover include:

  • Introduction: Archaeology, Texts, the Modern World and the People without History.
  • The Archaeology of 18th and 19th century Europe.
  • Colonial Archaeology 1: Colonial Encounters (1500-1900).
  • Colonial Archaeology 2: Archaeology and Historical Process in the New World, Africa and Asia;
  • Industrial Archaeology in the global perspective.
  • The Archaeology of the 20th Century World.
  • Issues in Conservation, Heritage Management and Contested Archaeologies (identities, authenticity and post-colonialism).

This unit will also include practical skills training in conservation and heritage management (3 days) and the archaeological use of documents (3 days).

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will understand the scope and nature of the historical archaeology of the modern world, previous approaches to it interpretation, and archaeological perspectives upon historical processes and comparative analysis.

Teaching Information

Lectures and fieldtrip (NB. the number of hours as reflected below are required in order to cover the subject with one fieldtrip, i.e. 6 hours in the field).

Assessment Information

Presentation (15 mins) followed by student led discussion of 5-10 minutes (worth 25%).

An essay of 3000 words (worth 75%).

Reading and References

  • Egan, G, and R.L. Michael (eds) 1999, Old and New Worlds: Historical/Post M
  • Medieval Archaeology papers from the Societies joint conferences at Williamsburg and London 1997 to mark thirty years of work and achievement. Oxford: Oxbow Books.
  • Johnson, M. 1996. An Archaeology of Capitalism. Oxford: Blackwell.
  • Hall, M. 2000. Archaeology and the Modern World. Colonial Transcripts in South Africa an the Chesapeake. London and New York: Routledge.
  • Moreland, J. 2001. Archaeology and Text. London: Duckworth.
  • Orser, C.E. Jr 1996. A Historical Archaeology of the Modern World. New York: Plenum.
  • Tarlow, S.d and S. West (eds) 1999. The Familiar Past? Archaeologies of later historical Britain. London: Routledge.

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