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Issues in Archaeology and Heritage - ARC00069I

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  • Department: Archaeology
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This course will introduce students to the current issues across the heritage sector. Students will become familiar with key debates in archaeology and heritage practice both in the UK and internationally. We will explore select case studies to understand the sector response to these critical issues in context. Students will have the opportunity to develop an action plan to address selected issues with a sector-based professional collaborator.

Related modules

Students can opt to do an elective in another Department in place of this module. 

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This module aims to:

  • Extend students' depth of knowledge of contested areas of thinking within the historic environment.
  • Raise awareness of current challenges faced by practitioners in the archaeology and heritage sector.
  • Develop skills in research and interpretation of central themes of archaeology and heritage challenges.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module the students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an awareness of current issues in the historic environment
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the literature and information sources for the issues impacting archaeology and heritage
  • Critically evaluate the theoretical, economic, political, social, and ethical issues related to the heritage sector in context
  • Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences

Module content

This module introduces a range of contemporary issues that impact on the historic environment both in the UK and internationally. Topics include legal frameworks, excavation practices, storage, outreach, diversity and inclusion, communities and co-creation and disaster recovery. The module will examine sector responses to these issues and discuss the challenges of 21st century heritage. Each week a current debate in the sector is covered through an introductory lecture, followed by small-group discussions. The assessment is practically focused and will support the students skills in real world problem solving. In groups, students will select one of the issues defined by our professional collaborator to explore in more detail and present an action plan designed to mitigate the identified dilemma.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 100

Module feedback

Formative: oral feedback from module leaders in class

Summative: written feedback within the University's turnaround policy

Indicative reading

Harrison, R. (2012). Heritage: critical approaches. Routledge.

Long, C., & Labadi, S. (Eds.). (2010). Heritage and globalisation. Abingdon, United Kingdom [UK]: Routledge.

Williams, T. (2018) The Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites (getty.edu). Conservation Perspectives: The GCI Newsletter 33.1. pp 4-9.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.