Unit information: Globalisation: Ships and Archaeology in 2011/12

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Globalisation: Ships and Archaeology
Unit code ARCHM1013
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
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

This unit provides an outline of the process of European-lead globalisation from the late 15th century to the 19th century, focussing the ships and their material culture, the colonies and their landscapes, trade goods and economic systems, understood within a archaeological and historical archaeological perspective, to include the Americas, Asia and Africa.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The unit is designed to provide an understanding of the process of globalisation from the pioneer phase of nascent colonies to the emergence of maritime empires, based on sea power. Students will be conversant with the key archaeological projects both on land and sea, and the development of ship technology, trade goods, warfare and fortifications, and the broader social and economic changes. They will:

  • Understand the archaeological evidence for colonisation
  • Be able to locate and use relevant archival sources
  • Evaluate major projects that have been undertaken and their contribution
  • Grasp how technologies changed between the 15th and 19th centuries.
  • Have a broad knowledge of European seapower
  • Be able to write a research paper that examines in more depth a topic covered by the unit.

Teaching Information

Lectures, seminars, site visits and fieldwork

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed by a research paper, on a topic agree with he unit director, that is chosen by the student, and will be related to the chosen pathway or programme. A target length of 3000 words, as well as illustrations.

Reading and References

  • Hicks, D, and M.C. Beaudry (eds). (2006) The Cambridge Companion to Historical
  • Archaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Chris Gosden Archaeology and Colonialisation (Cambridge 2004)
  • Orser, C.E. (1996) A Historical Archaeology of the Modern World. New York
  • Johnson, M. (1996) An Archaeology of Capitalism. Oxford: Blackwell.

Related links