THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2014/2015
- ARCHIVE as at 1 September 2014

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of History, Classics and Archaeology : Archaeology

Undergraduate Course: Byzantine Archaeology: The archaeology of the Byzantine empire and its neighbours AD 500-850. (ARCA10055)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of History, Classics and Archaeology CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaArchaeology Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course aims to understand the transformation of the Classical world and the emergence of new and diverse material cultures, institutions and ideologies in the Byzantine empire and its neighbours, including the Islamic world. The early medieval period saw a radical realignment in the economic, social and political structures of Europe, the Mediterranean and western Asia which remain fundamental for understanding many of the tensions in the modern world. Byzantium was a unique state located between the new, dynamic Islamic world and the early medieval kingdoms of continental Europe. From the late sixth century the empire faced new challenges including invasions by the Slavs, Bulgars and other barbarians in the Balkans and Greece. The course will look at the rise of Islam and the impact the Arab invasions had on the Byzantine world as well on urbanism, religion and transport in the eastern Mediterranean. Orthodox Christianity was crucial for the survival of the Byzantine state and the crisis concerning the worship of religious images known as Iconoclasm, raises issues relevant for understanding the significance of images and belief in the medieval and the modern worlds.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Pre-requisites: Archaeology 2A and 2B, or Honours entry to degrees in Classics, or equivalent.
Additional Costs None.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should usually have at least 3 courses in Archaeology or Classical Archaeology at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this) for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses.
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 12/01/2015
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 22, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 174 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 60 %, Coursework 40 %, Practical Exam 0 %
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
? A knowledge and understanding of the main elements of Byzantine and Islamic archaeology in the early middle ages
? Skills of interpreting and analysing the material and textual sources for urban and rural transformation.
? An awareness of current historical and archaeological debates concerning the early medieval world in the eastern Mediterranean.
? An understanding of the key issues concerning the relationship of art historical evidence with archaeological and textual sources
? The ability to use critically a range of different categories of visual , material and written evidence
? Some knowledge of the geography of the region
? Bibliographical research skills to enable students to find additional information for assignments

Transferable Skills
At the end of this course the student will be able, through written examination, coursework and class discussion, to demonstrate his/her:
? written skills and oral communication skills
? analytical skills
? ability to recognise and focus on important aspects of a wide-ranging subject and to select specific examples
? ability to produce a concise summary

Assessment Information
Coursework (essay): 40%, Examination (2 hour paper): 60%.
Visiting Student Variant Assessment
Coursework 40%
Take home exam 60%
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsByzantine Arch
Contacts
Course organiserProf John Bintliff
Tel:
Email: jbintlif@exseed.ed.ac.uk
Course secretary
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