ARMO50D-The Archaeology of Money: Coins, Power & Society

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Email: j.d.creighton@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module provides students with a working knowledge of Celtic and early Roman coinage. This will be in the context of learning ways numismatists have used coin data to create narratives about the past.

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with a working knowledge of Celtic and early Roman coinage. This will be in the context of learning ways numismatists have used coin data to create narratives about the past. By the end of the course all students should be able to critically evaluate these narratives, and the methodologies behind them.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able:

􀀕 to identify, discuss and explain the main trends and changes in coinage in the two centuries BC/AD.
􀀕 to assess the character and quality of archaeological data that can be obtained from coinage (the objects themselves and their context)
􀀕 to demonstrate an understanding of how numismatics engages with other disciplines, and a critical awareness of the diversity of sources used by them
􀀕 to recognise and appraise critically past and current interpretative approaches to the subject
􀀕 to locate, extract and collate data and information independently
􀀕 to develop, systematically and independently via self-study, topics and questions raised in class discussions
􀀕 to organise material in order to articulate sound argument effectively in assessed essays, and orally in seminar discussions and presentations

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage the development of oral, team-working and problem-solving skills, and students may also enhance observational skills recording and identifying coinage, and their numeracy skills by manipulation of some coin-find and metallurgical data.

Outline content:
This module both deals with a class of material, coinage, but uses examples particularly drawn from the late Iron Age and early Roman worlds. The sessions will explore four main themes: (1) the purpose and use of coin 􀀖 following different origin myths relating to the invention of coinage from early Greek sources to modern economists imaginings; (2) coin, ritual and morality 􀀖 drawing on ethnographic examples of monetary use and looking at the deposition of coin on temple sites; (3) metallurgical analyses and debasement 􀀖 examining ritual associations with various types of metal, and the debasement of coin; (4) economic reconstruction using coin evidence 􀀖 examining the various quantitative ways numismatists have tried to reconstruct the money supply and movement of coin.

Global context:
This module explores culturally diverse approaches to money in modern and ancient contexts.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Illustrated introductory and linking lectures, with a series of seminar presentations based on reading assignments. There will also be weekly small group discussions.

This is a 20 credit module, which means that it is intended to occupy you for 200 hours of work: seminar preparation, background reading, essay reading and writing. With that in mind the kind of division in time of your self-directed study might be as follows:
30 hours Engaged in reading and note taking from 􀀑key texts􀀒 for each week
90 hours Background reading for lectures (e.g. 9 hours per topic)
50 hours Engaged in reading, preparation and writing your essay

Summative assessment- Examinations:
None.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Students will write one essay of 5000 words, deliver one seminar, and participate regularly in seminar discussion. The essay counts towards their assessment. The essay will be submitted in the second half of the Spring Term, on dates set by the Department.

Formative assessment methods:
Constant feedback is given in Masters' tutorials as the essay topic is developed and ideas explored.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of coursework by 22nd August, but it cannot carry forward more than a pass mark.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 20 April 2018