The Archaeology of Ritual

CAHE20991 The Archaeology of Ritual 20 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 2 Ina Berg Unit coordinator Archaeology 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Middle part of Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 10.0 Life is constituted of innumerable rituals, that is a set of established or prescribed actions that structure religious and other rites. This course explores the physical evidence, visual cues and behavioural practices bound up in ritual activities and explores their underlying meaning. We will investigate the nature of ritual and its relationship with religion, before looking at surviving locational, stratigraphic, architectural, artefactual and iconographic evidence to help us determine the precise nature of the rituals enacted at sites. This course makes use of detailed case studies from the ancient world and ethnographic examples drawn from a wide range of periods and geographical regions. Life is constituted of innumerable rituals, that is a set of established or prescribed actions that structure religious and other rites. This course explores the physical evidence, visual cues and behavioural practices bound up in ritual activities and explores their underlying meaning. We will investigate the nature of ritual and its relationship with religion, before looking at surviving locational, stratigraphic, architectural, artefactual and iconographic evidence to help us determine the precise nature of the rituals enacted at sites. This course makes use of detailed case studies from the ancient world and ethnographic examples drawn from a wide range of periods and geographical regions. This course unit shares the same lectures as the second year course ARGY30992 The Archaeology of Ritual, but has separate seminars and assignments.  1.      To familiarise students with key thinkers and concepts in relation to the study of ritual.2.      To develop a basic understanding of the main developments in the study of ritual across different disciplines.3.      To understand key aspects of rituals through the use of diverse case studies drawn from ancient and modern                  examples and diverse regions.4.      To appreciate the interpretative potential of difference evidence types.5.     To engage with these thinkers and concepts through the analysis of a ritual object or object group of the student’s           choice. Upon successful completion of this course unit, students will have: <ol><li>Gained foundational familiarity with key thinkers and concepts in relation to the study of ritual, and understand its implications for the discipline today and also for non-archaeological situations in the present.</li><li>Gained a basic understanding of the main developments in the study of ritual across different disciplines.</li><li>Developed understanding of material and performative aspects of rituals through the use of diverse case studies drawn from ancient and modern examples and diverse regions.</li><li>Developed awareness of the interpretative potential of difference evidence types.</li><li>Demonstrated awareness of the impact of archaeological and anthropological practice, interpretation and representation on other communities </li></ol> 6. Demonstrated an awareness to evaluate and reflect critically upon different theoretical approaches and                 evidence  types.7. Acquired experience in summarizing ones intellectual position coherently verbally and in writing.8. Acquired experience in marshalling the evidence to support ones own argument. 9. Acquired experience in presenting and reflecting upon evidence orally in the context of a seminar or lecture.10. Demonstrated an ability to utilize an online learning environment.11. Demonstrated an ability to research a topic using library and internet resources.12. Demonstrated an ability to apply appropriate academic conventions for presentation of written arguments.13. Demonstrated an ability to describe an archaeological object in writing, making use of appropriate terminology, and to place it into its wider socio-political context.  14. Gained practice in managing time and working to deadlines.15. Acquired experience in contributing to seminar discussions.16. Demonstrated an ability to communicate effectively in written work.17. Developed experience in a critical use of the Internet to retrieve information.18. Gained experience in utilizing computer word processing software.19. Gained experience in presenting an archaeological object with relevant photos and illustrations. Analytical skills Cognitive Skills: critical thinking skills, the evaluation of arguments, interrogation of cultural phenomena Project management Personal Capabilities: ability to work without supervision, willingness to reflect upon your academic performance and improve your skill-set further, ability to respond positively to changing arguments and evidence Written communication Generic Competencies: ability to access different sources, the recognition of key points of arguments, ability to `deconstruct¿ a text or object, explaining your viewpoint orally and in writing Other Practical and Professional Skills: appreciation of the diversity of cultures and human behaviour, ability to use writing software, work constructively with others on a common task, to work effectively whilst meeting deadlines    0 Other 100% ASSESSMENT METHODS <figure class="table"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="width:274px;">Assessment task</td><td style="width:143px;">Weighting within unit (if summative)</td></tr><tr><td style="width:274px;">Article Commentary</td><td style="width:143px;">30%</td></tr><tr><td style="width:274px;">Object Essay: analyse the role of an object or object group within the context of a ritual</td><td style="width:143px;">70%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>  <figure class="table" style="width:662px;"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="0"><tbody><tr><td style="width:321px;">Feedback method</td><td style="width:340px;">Formative or Summative</td></tr><tr><td style="width:321px;">Written feedback</td><td style="width:340px;">Students will receive summative and formative feedback on their Object Essay.</td></tr><tr><td style="width:321px;">Oral feedback</td><td style="width:340px;">The seminars are a place for directed discussion and thus provide verbal formative feedback on the development and presentation of argument and interpretation on a weekly basis. In advance of submitting the Essay, students are encouraged to discuss their object choice and Essay plan with the course convenor who will provide formative feedback.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>  Y Dietler, M. and Hayden, B., 2010. Feasts: archaeological and ethnographic perspectives on food, politics, and power. University of Alabama Press.Dietler, M., 2006. Alcohol: Anthropological/archaeological perspectives. Annu. Rev. Anthropol., 35, pp.229-249.Fogelin, L., 2007. The archaeology of religious ritual. Annu. Rev. Anthropol.,36, 55-71.Inomata, T. and Coben, L.S. eds., 2006. Archaeology of performance: theaters of power, community, and politics. Rowman Altamira.Gell, A. The Technology of Enchantment and the enchantment of technology. In: The Art of Anthropology: Essays and Diagrams, edited by E. Hirsch, pp. 159–86. Oxford: Berg.Insoll, T. 2004 Archaeology, ritual, religion. Psychology Press.Insoll, T., 2011. The Oxford handbook of the archaeology of ritual and religion. Oxford University Press.Kyriakidis, E., 2007. The archaeology of ritual. Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, University of California.Laneri, N., 2007. An archaeology of funerary rituals. Oriental Inst Publications Sales.Malone, C. and Barrowclough, D., 2010. Cult in Context: Reconsidering Ritual in Archaeology. Oxbow books.Pearson, M.P. and Pearson, M.P., 1999. The archaeology of death and burial. Phoenix Mill, UK: Sutton.Renfrew, C. 1985. The Archaeology of Cult. London: Thames & Hudson.Rowan, Y.M., 2011. Beyond Belief: The Archaeology of Religion and Ritual. Archeological Papers of the American Anthropological Association, 21(1), pp.1-10.Van Gennep, A. 1960. Rites of Passage. London. Routledge & Keegan Paul. Lectures 22 Seminars 11 0 167