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Approaching Global Challenges: Archaeology and Heritage - ARC00078H

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

Module summary

This module introduces students to the ways in which archaeology and heritage interact with contemporary global challenges. We will consider how the unique transdisciplinary nature of archaeology and heritage provide imaginative solutions to complex global challenges. Thematic issues covered include climate crisis and climate mobilities, concepts of the anthropocene, environmental pollution, health and well-being, social injustice and inequality, crime and conflict, decolonisation, disaster cultures and dark heritage. These are all connected through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This exciting module draws on the wide range of research and practice undertaken by staff in the Department including through the Leverhulme Centre for Heritage for Global Challenges Research. We consider examples and case studies of the ways in which archaeology and heritage is uniquely entangled to provide solutions to Global Challenges

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

This module aims to:

  • Introduce students to the range of contemporary Global Challenges within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Provide students with an understanding of the unique transdisciplinary nature of archaeology and heritage in providing imaginative solutions to complex Global Challenges.
  • Evaluate case studies and examples that demonstrate the role of archaeology and heritage in practice and in research in providing solutions to Global Challenges in an international context.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module the students should:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the range of contemporary Global Challenges within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the unique transdisciplinary nature of archaeology and heritage in providing imaginative solutions to complex Global Challenges.
  • Be able to describe and comment upon a range of case studies and examples that demonstrate the role of archaeology and heritage in practice and in research in providing solutions to Global Challenges in an international context.

Module content

This module introduces students to the ways in which archaeology and heritage interact with contemporary global challenges. We will consider how the unique transdisciplinary nature of archaeology and heritage provide imaginative solutions to complex global challenges. Thematic issues covered include climate crisis and climate mobilities, concepts of the anthropocene, environmental pollution, health and well-being, social injustice and inequality, crime and conflict, decolonisation, disaster cultures and dark heritage. These are all connected through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

We will reflect on our roles as archaeology and heritage students, as practitioners and researchers, and as policy entrepreneurs in shaping responses. We will focus on smaller changes that can be made that can contribute towards a better future, considering what can be done in actual practice that can incrementally improve and address Global Challenges.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Formative: written feedback from module leaders

Summative: written feedback within the University's turnaround policy

Indicative reading

Richer, S., Stump, D. and Marchant, R. 2019 Archaeology has no Relevance, Internet Archaeology 53. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.53.2

Schofield, J., Wyles, K. J., Doherty, S., Donnelly, A., Jones, J. and Porter, A. 2020. “Object narratives as a methodology for mitigating marine plastic pollution: multidisciplinary investigations in Galápagos,” Antiquity. Cambridge University Press, 94(373), pp. 228–244. doi: 10.15184/aqy.2019.232.

Woodward, S and Cooke, L. 2022. World Heritage: Concepts, Management and Conservation. Routledge.


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.