ARCH30550 Archaeology of Minoan Crete

Academic Year 2019/2020

This course covers the archaeology of Crete during the Bronze Age (Minoan period) 3000-1000 B.C. As the culture is prehistoric, i.e. without contemporary written records, study is based primarily on artefacts and architecture. Emphasis is given to the understanding of Minoan society, especially religion, iconography, gender roles, economy, foreign relations, politics and history, as interpreted through material culture. The course takes a fundamentally chronological perspective, encouraging a firm knowledge of the main artefact classes, including architecture (palaces and villas), pictorial art (frescoes, seal-stones, rings, carved stone), vases (pottery, stone, metal), and sculpture (clay, bronze). Beyond that, you are eoncouraged to understand and analyse the various methodological processes involved in the interpretation of a prehistoric culture and society.

NOTE: if you have previously taken ARCH20040 Minoan Bronze Age of Crete you may not take this module. It is recommended that you take ARCH20540 Celtic and Mediterranean Europe instead

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, you should be able to:
1) demonstrate familiarity with the essential Minoan archaeological material in its chronological and social contexts.
2) have a broad understanding of the role of Minoan society within the cultural history of the Bronze Age Eastern Mediterranean, and its contribution to later European cultural development.
3) critically review and assess interpretative models and strategies.
4) identify key Minoan objects, and write about them critically.

Indicative Module Content:

The link between Mediterranean environment and cultural development
Transition from Neolithic to Bronze Age
Process of state formation
Development of complex centralised state society and economy
Bronze Age development of civilisation
Appreciation of fine artefacts
Trade and cross-cultural interaction
Processes of cultural collapse

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

78
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures are the main vehicle to present the core material evidence.
Lecture classes will also include some in-group discussion
Portfolio assessment will require creative and critical thinking about the use of material evidence. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:

ARCH20040

Learning Recommendations:

ARCH10100
ARCH20540


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ARCH20040 - The Minoan Bronze Age of Crete


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Two-hour exam, consisting of 7 questions: 1 compulsory picture question (3 of 5 pictures), and 2 of 6 essay questions. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

80
Portfolio: Visual Portfolio of pictures set around a specified theme Week 9 n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

UCD School of Archaeology use standard feedback sheets for all modules. Your feedback is provided on this form - the form also contains feed forward details - this will help you think about how you could improve your approach in future assignments.

Name Role
Dr Neil Carlin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer