Module Details

Module Code: CULT H1019
Full Title: Prehistoric Ireland: From the First Settlers to the Bronze Age
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner:: Conor Brady
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: From the time of the first settlers in this country, currently thought to be about 10,000 years age, to the arrival of Christianity and the first introduction of writing around the 5th century AD, the only source of information we have about the day-to-day lives of Irish people is through archaeology. Spanning some 8,000 years, this course presents the huge variety of archaeological monuments constructed during the period which form a significant component of the modern landscape. Changes in technology over the time period will be presented as well as changes in settlement strategies, social structure, ceremony and ritual and landscape organisation.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Discuss the sequence of change in the Irish landscape over the prehistoric period
MLO2 Critically assess the system used to classify the different time periods in Irish prehistory
MLO3 Recognise and discuss the major classes of prehistoric archaeological monument associated with each of the different periods
MLO4 Evaluate the changes in technology over the course of the prehistoric period in Ireland
MLO5 Assess how the changes in the landscape relate to the technological and social changes
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Early Mesolithic
n/a
Later Mesolithic
n/a
Neolithic transition and the introduction of farming
n/a
Early Neolithic and the ‘Neolithic package’
n/a
Neolithic burials - court tombs, portal tombs, passage tombs, wedge tombs
n/a
Neolithic houses and settlement
n/a
Neolithic material culture – pottery, flint, axes
n/a
Late Neolithic change – henges monuments, new pottery styles
n/a
The Early Bronze Age - burials and wedge tombs – pottery
n/a
Stone circles and alignments
n/a
Metals and mining, metalwork – bronze and gold
n/a
Settlement in the Bronze Age
n/a
The Middle Bronze Age
n/a
Late Bronze Age – Dowris, burials and settlement
n/a
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Class Test % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
A short test will assess the student's knowledge and understanding of a range of developments to have taken place over the period studied.
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 40
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 2,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students are asked to provide short definitions and explanations of a variety of terminology relating to the prehistoric period in Ireland.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 2,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
This will deal with developments during one of the time periods covered during the module; approx. 1500 words
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

Part-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Class Test % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
A short test will assess the student's knowledge and understanding of a range of developments to have taken place over the period studied; approx. 1500 words
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 40
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 2,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students are asked to provide short definitions and explanations of a variety of terminology relating to the prehistoric period in Ireland.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 50
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 2,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
This will deal with developments during one of the time periods covered during the module.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
No repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will be offered solely on the basis of coursework and a repeat examination will not be offered.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 4.00 4
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 4.00 4
Total Weekly Learner Workload 9.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Ryan, Michael. (1994), Irish Archaeology Illustrated, Country House, Dublin.
  • Waddell, John. (2010), The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland, 2nd. Galway University Press, Galway.
  • Cooney, G. (2000), Landscapes of Neolithic Ireland, Routledge, London.
  • Waddell J. and Twohig E. (eds). (1995), Ireland in the Bronze Age. Proceedings of the Dublin Conference 1995, Dublin.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Cooney, G. & Grogan, E.. (1994), Irish Prehistory: A Social Perspective, Wordwell, Bray.
  • Shee-Twohig, Elizabeth. (2008), Irish Megalithic Tombs, 2nd. Osprey Publishing.
  • O’Sullivan, Muiris. (1995), Megalithic Art In Ireland, Country House, Dublin.
  • Ó Nualláin, Seán. (1995), Stone Circles in Ireland, Country House, Dublin.
  • Brindley, Anna. (1993), Irish Prehistory: An Introduction, Country House, Dublin.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources