Module Handbook ARCLG0171, 2019/20 UCL - INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY ARCL0171: Working with Artefacts and Assemblages Core-Module for the MA in Artefact Studies 15 credits (2 terms, 40 contact hours) 2019/20 Co-ordinator: Ulrike Sommer [email protected] room 409a, tel: 0207 7679 1493 Moodle: https://moodle.ucl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=403 Sorting Starčevo-Körös sherds from pit 1, Tășnad Sere (Romania) by vessel-type, Bobald 2017 30/10/2019 1 Module Handbook ARCLG0171, 2019/20 2 Module Handbook ARCLG0171, 2019/20 Deadlines: 1. Six pieces of Short Work (assessment 1) 40% of the final mark, no word limit Deadlines: 1. Measuring Finds Deadline: 25/10/2019 2. Scattergram Deadline 01/11/2019 3. PAS Deadline: 22/11/2019 4. Pipestems Deadline: 6/12/2019 5. Drawing Deadline: 13/12/2019 6. Map Deadline: 13/03/2020 There is no fixed pattern to the deadlines, as they partly depend on the opportunities to discuss your modulework during a session, and the time I need to assess it. So please check the dates carefully for each piece of work! Return of modulework: at latest 4 weeks after submission 2. Portfolio (assessment 2) 60% of the final module mark, no word limit Deadline: Friday 1 May (first week of term 3, last possible date) Return of modulework: 4 weeks after submission if submitted on time 3 Module Handbook ARCLG0171, 2019/20 Module outline This module provides training in the documentation and interpretation of artefacts and assemblages from archaeological sites and museum collections. The module will be largely taught using the staff, equipment and collections at the UCL Institute of Archaeology, but good use will also be made of the expertise and collections of a number of other museums and professional archaeological units. Students will be introduced to the skills of finds specialists, practical issues involved in the professional study of artefacts and major debates about the collection, interpretation, reporting and curation of archaeological materials. This module encourages students to consider how finds specialists select their recording methods in relation to specific research objectives and practical constraints. The module emphasizes the practicalities of excavating, processing, identifying, archiving and publishing archaeological finds and the problems of defining databases and sampling methods. We will also look at the problems of archiving, and at the exhibition and publication of artefacts. There will be practicals on cataloguing, description, drawing, mapping and photography. This handbook This handbook contains basic information about the content and administration of the module. Some lecturers may provide additional subject-specific reading lists and individual session handouts during the module. Do also regularly check the module Moodle (https://moodle- 1819.ucl.ac.uk/module/view.php?id=403). The module has an electronic reading list, which can be found at http://readinglists.ucl.ac.uk/lists/90B62026-186B-B022-7B2F-C1272E707E4D.html. If you have queries about the objectives, structure, content, assessment or organisation of the module, please consult the Module Co-ordinator. Further important information, relating to all modules at the Institute of Archaeology, is to be found at in the general MA Handbook and on the Institute’s website. It is your responsibility to read and act on it. It includes information about originality, submission and grading of modulework; disabilities; communication; attendance and feedback. Specific informations about the Degree in Artefact Analysis, for example, about the dissertation and placements are contained in the DEGREE HANDBOOK which you have received in the first week of term. 4 Module Handbook ARCLG0171, 2019/20 Module Schedule Lectures and Seminars will be held Thursdays 16-18.00 in Room 410 in term 1 and Thursdays, 11-13.00 in Room 410 in term 2. Always check the module Moodle for an up-to date schedule, as sometimes there are last minute changes, especially when guest-lecturers are involved. Date Subject Lecturer Introduction: Artefacts, assemblages and material 1 03/10 Sommer culture 2 10/10 Thames Southbank: collecting finds Sommer 3 17/10 Excavations and Field recording: bulk and small finds Sommer 4 24/10 Dealing with finds: classification and quantification Sommer Artefact description, raw materials and basic 5 31/10 Sparks classification 4-9/11 Reading Week 6 14/11 Big data: The Portable Antiquities Scheme NN 7 21/11 Tutorial: Describing pottery Sommer 8 28/11 Archaeological illustration Williams 9 05/12 Drawing Pottery, practical Sommer 10 12/12 Describing flint and groundstone Jovanović Christmas Break, 16/12-12/01 2020 11 16/01 Drawing lithics: practical Sommer 12 23/01 Artefact photography Walton 13 30/01 Layout and photoshop De Lara Putting artefacts into context: when and where? (com- 14 06/02 Sommer parative finds) 13 13/02 Databases Sparks 17-21/2 Reading Week 16 27/02 Basic mapping (practical) Spencer 17 05/03 The finds report Marshall 18 12/03 Cataloguing metal artefacts NN 19 19/03 Coins Moorehead 20 26/03 Exhibiting artefacts Schmidt Communication If any changes need to be made to the module arrangements, these will normally be communicated by email. It is therefore essential that you consult your UCL e-mail account and the module Moodle (ARCL0171) regularly. Methods of assessment This module is assessed by two pieces of module-work, consisting of six pieces of Short Work in various formats, submitted during term 1 and 2, which together contribute 40% to the final grade for the module, and a portfolio which contributes 60% to the final grade for the module. The topics and deadlines for each assessment are specified below (p. 11). If students are unclear about the nature of an assignment, they should contact the module coordinator. Teaching methods and reading material Teaching for the module is through formal lectures, seminars, artefact handling sessions and practicals. There will also be a limited number of field-trips, mainly on Wednesday afternoons. The module aims to provide a broad introduction to appropriate literature, give the opportunity to engage actively in debating contentious issues, the chance to analyse artefacts and 5 Module Handbook ARCLG0171, 2019/20 archaeological materials. The lectures, seminars and practical sessions will largely be conducted by UCL staff, with the addition of occasional guest speakers. Most seminars have weekly essential readings, which students are expected to have done, to be able to follow and to actively contribute to the discussion. Please consider your own experiences and knowledge and use this to contribute examples of similarities and differences in relation to the description, theory and practice of artefact analysis and interpretation discussed in the module. This handbook includes an outline of each session (which will usually combine some formal lecture and extensive class discussion) in the module, and identifies essential and supplementary readings relevant to each session. The essential readings should be consulted in advance of each session. Although information is provided as to where in the UCL library system individual readings are available, the best starting point for any bibliographic search is the Online Reading List (http://readinglists.ucl.ac.uk/lists/90B62026-186B-B022-7B2F- C1272E707E4D.html), where most of the recommended readings are available as PDFs. In addition to the Library of the Institute of Archaeology, UCL's Science Library has holdings of particular relevance to this degree. The Library of Senate House also hold a very useful collection (and is fun to visit). IMPORTANT: You can find the relevant reading lists online, where all of the articles noted as “essential reading” and most of the “further reading” items are available for download in PDF format. If the PDF is not available due to copyright restrictions, you will find a link to the relevant library shelfmark where you can find a hard copy of the publication. While we make every effort to make teaching materials available online, you are still expected to conduct bibliographic research in the library, and the fact that a publication is not online will not be accepted as an excuse for not having consulted it. For the portfolio, it is essential to identify relevant publications if you are aiming for a high grade. Intercollegiate students should contact Judy Medrington (Room 411a) to be registered for a college IS username and password as soon as possible. The Moodle Moodle is an online teaching resource where you will find basic module information, but also downloadable handouts and presentations that will be added on a weekly basis, as well as other activities and resources. You are expected to log on to Moodle at least once a week to check for any changes of schedule. You may find that, once you have registered for a module via Portico, you will be automatically enrolled in the Moodle. If this is not the case, you can register for the Moodle directly, following the guidelines below. Search for the relevant module (ARCL0171), then enter the Enrolment key G348 if prompted. If you encounter any problems, please contact the module coordinator and/or Charlotte Frearson ([email protected]). Workload The core module will be taught over twenty weeks in term 1 and term 2. This adds up to a total of 40 contact hours. In addition to this you are expected to undertake around 200 hours of private reading in preparing for classes and approximately 100 hours to prepare your modulework. There is a reading week in term 1 (4th-8th November 2019) and another one in term 2 (17th-21th February 2020); this time should be used to catch-up with any reading associated with lectures and to research and prepare assessed work. Optional Field trips There will be some trips to museums, archives and archaeological sites in the first and second terms.