ARCL 0009 Potential changes in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic Please note that information regarding teaching, learning and assessment in this module handbook endeavours to be as accurate as possible. However, in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and the possibility of updates in government guidance, there may need to be changes during the course of the year. UCL will keep current students updated of any changes to teaching, learning and assessment on the Students’ webpages. This also includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which may help you with any queries that you may have. ARCL 0009 TEXTS IN ARCHAEOLOGY 2020–21, Term 1 Year 1 Module 15 credits Co-ordinator: Dr Rachael Sparks [email protected] Institute of Archaeology Room B55 Online office hours: Monday-Wednesday 10.00–12.00, 1:00-4:00 pm. Meetings will take place via MS Teams; please email for an appointment. Working with cuneiform texts - the tools of the trade. (Image courtesy of Klaus Wagensonner) Please refer to the online IoA Student Handbook (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/current- students/ioa-student-handbook) and IoA Study Skills Guide (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/current-students/ioa-study-skills-guide) for instructions on coursework submission, IoA referencing guidelines and marking criteria, as well as UCL policies on penalties for late submission. See also the resources at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/current- students. 1 ARCL 0009 Table of Contents 1. MODULE OVERVIEW 2 1.1 Description 1.2 Aims 3 1.2 Objectives 3 1.3 Learning outcomes 3 1.4 Methods of assessment 3 1.5 Communications 3 1.6 Week-by-week summary 3 1.7 Weekly module plan 4 1.8 Workload 4 2. ASSESSMENT 5 2.1 Assessment 1: object biography report 2.2 Assessment 2: thematic essay 5 3. RESOURCES AND PREPARATION FOR CLASS 3.1 Preparation for class 6 3.2 Recommended basic texts 6 3.3 Online resources 7 4. SYLLABUS AND ESSENTIAL READINGS 4.1 Introduction to the module 7 4.2 The nature of the surviving evidence 8 4.3 The development and operation of early writing systems 9 4.4 Text and object. Uses of alphabetic writing in the Greek world 10 4.5 Taking writing to the west. 11 4.6 Reading week 12 4.7 Writing and society in ancient Egypt 12 4.8 The Hebrew Bible and the archaeology of Iron Age Israel 13 4.9 Texts and visual imagery in the Neo-Assyrian empire 14 4.10 Text, architecture and landscape in ancient Egypt 15 4.11 Reviewing course themes and concepts 16 2 ARCL 0009 1. MODULE OVERVIEW 1.1 Description This module examines how textual evidence may be used by students of different disciplines to study past societies, with a particular focus on archaeological research. It draws on written sources from the Near East and Eastern Mediterranean to explore issues such as the materiality of texts, literacy and orality, the relationship between texts, physical space and visual media, and the social and cultural contexts in which writing was used. 1.2 Aims • To introduce students to the nature of written sources for ancient societies. • To examine methods and approaches of working with texts in archaeology. • To consider how to integrate textual and non-textual approaches to the past. • To discuss and analyse specific case-studies of texts, sampled from a wide range of past literate societies, to show how they contribute to our understanding of the archaeological record. 1.2 Objectives On successful completion of this module a student should: • Have a broad overview of how texts can be studied from an archaeological perspective, and understand the value of this approach. • Appreciate the significance of written texts as evidence from the past. • Recognise the importance of critical and integrated approaches to the use of archaeological and textual sources when investigating past societies. 1.3 Learning Outcomes On successful completion of the module students should be able to demonstrate: • Understanding and critical awareness of a range of primary and secondary sources. • Appreciation of, and ability to apply, methods and theories of archaeological and textual analysis. • Written skills in analysis and presentation. 1.4 Methods of Assessment This module is assessed by means of: • One essay, of 1000 words, worth 33% of the final grade for this module, due 11 November 2020. • One essay, of 2000 words, worth 67% of the final grade for this module due 13 January 2021. 1.5 Communications 3 ARCL 0009 • Moodle is the main hub for this course; you may access this at: <https://moodle.ucl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=243#section-0> • Important information will be posted by staff in the Announcements section of the Moodle page and you will automatically receive an email notification for these. • Please post any general queries relating to module content, assessments and administration in the Moodle Q&A Forum, which will be checked regularly: <https://moodle.ucl.ac.uk/mod/forum/view.php?id=2263231>. • For personal queries, please contact the co-ordinator by email ([email protected]) 1.6 Week-by-Week Summary Week Live Class Topic 1 9 October Introduction to the module 2 16 October The nature of the surviving evidence. 3 23 October The development and operation of early writing systems 4 30 October Text and object: uses of alphabetic writing in the Greek world 5 6 November Taking writing to the west: script diversity and the social contexts of writing in Etruscan Italy 6 READING WEEK 7 20 November Writing and society in ancient Egypt 8 27 November The Hebrew Bible and the archaeology of Iron Age Israel 9 4 December The relationship between texts and visual imagery in the Neo-Assyrian empire 10 11 December Text, architecture and landscape in ancient Egypt 11 18 December Reviewing course themes and concepts 1.7 Weekly Module Plan The module is taught through lectures and discussions. Students will be required to participate in a range of pre-class activities, including viewing lecture presentations and other videos, undertake set readings, contribute to discussion forums or online wikis. Weekly activities should be completed by Friday of the relevant week, unless an earlier deadline is indciated on Moodle. Students will also be expected to attend an online seminar every Friday, either at 9:00 (Group 1) or 10:00 am (Group 2). Meetings will take place via Blackboard Collaborate, which you access via the course Moodle page, and will last approximately 50 minutes. 1.8 Workload This is a 15-credit module which equates to 150 hours of learning time including session preparation, background reading, seminar attendance and researching and writing your assignments. With that in mind you should expect to organise your time in roughly this way: 4 ARCL 0009 10 hours Staff-led live teaching sessions (Friday seminars). 70 hours Self-guided session preparation (reading, listening, note-taking and other online activities). This equals about 7 hours a week (including asynchronous online lectures). 23 hours Reading for, and writing, Assignment 1 47 hours Reading for, and writing, Assignment 2 2. ASSESSMENT Students are required to complete two pieces of written work, as outlined below. Each assignment and possible approaches to it will be discussed in class, in advance of the submission deadlines. If students are unclear about the nature of an assignment, they should discuss this with the Module Co-ordinator in advance (via office hours or class Moodle forum). You will receive feedback on your written coursework via Moodle, and have the opportunity to discuss your marks and feedback with the co-ordinator during their office hours. For more details see the ‘Assessment’ section on Moodle. The IoA marking criteria can be found in the IoA Student Handbook (Section 12- information on assessment) and the IoA Study Skills Guide provides useful guidance on writing different types of assignment. Penalties for late submission: see UCL guidance on penalties (Academic Manual 3.12). 2.1 Assessment 1: Object biography report Word length: 1,000 words. Due date: Wednesday, 11 November 2020. Write a short biography about ONE of the objects listed below, considering both the object, and the text that it is written on it. Discuss the life-cycle of your object (manufacture, use/reuse in its original setting, how it entered the archaeological record, subsequent recovery and modern usage). Your answer should explore both your object's original meaning or value, and its current significance. Each object is provided with a bibliography of suggested readings; see the 'Assessments' section in Moodle for details. These are not exhaustive, and you are encouraged to identify relevant additional material yourselves. 1.1 Copper foundation figurine from Ur, Iraq 1.2 The Statue of Idrimi from Tell Atchana, Turkey 1.3 Alabaster cup from the Tomb of Tutankhamun, Egypt 1.4 The gold tablets from Pyrgi, Italy 1.5 The Euphronios krater 2.2 Assessment 2: Thematic Essay Word length: 2,000 words Due date: Wednesday, 13 January 2021 5 ARCL 0009 Choose ONE of the following essay questions: 2.1 Discuss the archaeological evidence for the emergence of writing in at least two different ancient societies. How does writing appear there and why? What problems or questions does this material raise? 2.2 Compare and contrast the archaeological evidence for official and personal uses of writing in the ancient world. How might the purpose of a text influence its physical form? 2.3 Discuss the archaeological and textual evidence for ancient literacy, using case studies from at least two different cultures.