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This module provides an intensive graduate-level introduction to fundamental issues in archaeological theory and archaeological interpretation. Set readings will be used to review the modern history of archaeological ideas, and to explore and evaluate major interpretative frameworks developed by different schools of archaeological thought and a range of approaches pursued in studying the archaeological record, material culture, social behaviour and cultural change. The module is structured with reference to critical debates about the nature of archaeological data, objectives, and perspectives that particularly characterised Euro-American prehistoric archaeology in the 1960s-90s, because these debates were so explicit, were widely followed and have been very influential elsewhere in the world, developed sets of concepts that are widely referenced in archaeology world-wide, and were explored through an accessible and widely referenced literature. The emphasis of the course is on using these debates to critically engage with fundamental issues that are still contentious today and that archaeologists need to consider and resolve for themselves.

Aims of the module

The module provides an intensive graduate-level introduction to archaeological theory, research approaches and reasoning, within a seminar framework based on set readings and recorded lectures. It aims to review the recent history of archaeological ideas and to discuss and debate approaches and key general themes in archaeology from historical, theoretical and comparative perspectives.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module a student should:

• have an understanding of fundamental theoretical debates across a broad range of archaeology;
• understand the nature of the debates as a basis for developing their own theoretical position; and
• be able to use this knowledge to develop an innovative PhD proposal or carry out critically-informed research in their particular field of archaeology.

Teaching Methods

The module is taught through a series of 10 weekly 2-hour seminars, to discuss and debate the broad subjects defined for each week. Seminars have weekly required readings, which students will be expected to have read to be able fully to follow and actively to contribute to the discussion. Up to 2-hours of recorded lectures will be provided on the module Moodle as additional background for each week’s topic.

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