The purpose of the Assessed Seminar is to build upon the seminar skills developed in the 1st and 2nd years and, working together as a group, to allow students to organise and run a seminar on a subject of their own choice, within their seminar option.
The Assessed Seminars aim to develop students understanding of the topic (particularly a critical understanding of the key themes, approaches and opinions), improve their knowledge of the subject area (through reading and preparation for their own seminar, their seminar contributions and involvement in the seminars), and develop their skills in chairing a seminar, presenting material and being involved in discussion (including thinking on their feet about the topic being discussed, how to engage interest in the topic and stimulate debate).
This module aims to explore the changing landscape since the beginning of the eighteenth century. It will look at agricultural improvement, the rise and fall of the landed estate, the impact of industrialisation, empire and war in the nineteenth and twentieth century. It will explore how archaeology and archaeological theory deals with these changes and what it can contribute to our understanding.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
demonstrate that they are familiar with the literature on aspects of major landscape transformation in the modern age
exhibit a firm understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues related to the archaeological study of the modern landscape
show familiarity with a range of case studies
demonstrate in depth knowledge of a topic of their choosing
pick out the key issues in their chosen topic
prepare a worksheet which sets out key reading and issues for presentation, debate and discussion, and support the group in the preparation of the seminar
chair a seminar, engage interest in the topic, stimulate debate and structure discussion
have a critical awareness of the process of collective debate on a specific topic
be able to judge the general success of the seminar, and to be able to reflect on this, through a written summary of a seminar
present PowerPoint presentations on other subjects within the general theme and contribute informed ideas and information to the other seminars
Indicative assessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
15
Essay/coursework
20
Essay/coursework
20
Essay/coursework
20
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
20
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
5
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
20
Essay/coursework
20
Essay/coursework
20
Essay/coursework
20
Essay/coursework
20
Module feedback
Students will get oral feedback on the worksheets during their development in weeks 5-10 of the spring term during seminars (or office hours).
Written feedback will be given on their summative work at the end of the summer term.
Indicative reading
Driver, F. & Martins, L. (eds) 2005 Tropical Visions in an Age of Empire
Finch, J. & Giles, K. (eds) 2007 Estate Landscapes
Mingay, G.E. (ed) 1981 The Victorian Countryside 2 vols
Rowley, T. 2006 The English Landscape in the Twentieth Century
Tarlow, S. 2007 The Archaeology of Improvement in Britain