The Archaeology of Canterbury - CLAS3710

Overview

This module will introduce the archaeology of the city of Canterbury and its environs, and the skills needed to study it. The course will review the subject both chronologically, from Bronze Age to 1945, and methodologically, covering non-invasive research methods and techniques used to communicate heritage. It will provide deep knowledge and understanding of the immediate environment of Canterbury and East Kent, and equip students with skills that they need to pursue further interests in archaeology. It will allow students to access the archaeological resources of Canterbury that are on their doorstep and position them well to study local landscape history, built archaeology, or museum collections, in preparation for the archaeological project or dissertation modules. Lectures will describe a full range of local archaeology, including Thanet Sacred Island, Bigbury Hillfort, the Saxon Shore, Excavations in Canterbury City, Canterbury Cathedral, and Medieval Vernacular Architecture. Seminars will equip students to understand research methods relating to Sites and Monuments records, LIDAR and earthwork survey, local museum collections, urban excavation reports, standing building remains, historic maps, and aerial photos. The module also introduces students to Canterbury as a world heritage site.

Details

Contact hours

Total Contact Hours: 20
Private Study Hours: 130
Total Study Hours: 150

Method of assessment

Main assessment methods
Assignment 1 (1,500 words) – 40%
Assignment 2 (2,000 words) – 60%

Reassessment methods
Reassessment Instrument: 100% Coursework

Indicative reading

The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html

See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)

Learning outcomes

The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:

1 Demonstrate an understanding of the types of remains that archaeologists encounter in Canterbury and East Kent.
2 Demonstrate an understanding of basic skills in use in local archaeological research and in communicating local heritage.
3 Demonstrate basic comprehension of how the human landscape in and around Canterbury was formed.
4 Demonstrate an understanding of the potential of local museum holdings for understanding the socio-cultural history of the region.
5 Demonstrate a mindful awareness of archaeological traces all around them, and the impact of past process, on the world heritage site of Canterbury.

The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:

1 Demonstrate the ability to extract key elements from complex data;
2 Demonstrate the ability to gather, use and communicate information effectively;
3 Demonstrate the ability to work independently.