Archaeology modules
Heritage Studies modules
York Studies modules
Art and Humanities
Autumn Term: October 2011 - December 2011
Spring Term: January 2012 - March 2012
Summer Term: April 2012 - June 2012
Creating Chronicles - Writing From Life: Journals, Memoirs, Autobiographies & Biographies
From diaries to autobiographies, confessionals, memoirs, travel-journals and even blogs, life-writing is one of the most ubiquitous and varied genres of contemporary literature. In this course, we will examine the techniques involved in many styles of life-writing, drawing our examples both from established classics and from recent best-sellers ranging from literary memoirs to celebrity biographies. Students will gain exposure to a wide array of different writers and forms, and will have the opportunity to produce their own efforts at life-writing, both for in-class exercises and for their assessed work. If you’re interested in telling the story of your own family or that of a famous figure from history, or if you just want to keep a lively, entertaining record of your thoughts and experiences, this course will help you develop the necessary skills.
Danielle Hancock BA
Term: Autumn
Day: Monday
Start Date: 03 October 2011
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
Early Medieval Europe (c300-1000AD)
The Early Middle Ages in Europe were a time of flux, innovation and rebirth. With the decline of Roman power in Western Europe, political power shifted into the hands of new groups, altering the dynamic of government, society and culture. The rise of Christianity saw pagan societies change into Christian ones, while Islam challenged this hegemony in the East. This module will introduce students to the vast array of changes that took place during this period. We will bring together information from textual sources, archaeological sources, art and architecture as we consider the shifting political, social, religious and cultural dynamics of this period in history. We will begin with the rise of Christianity as the state religion of the Roman Empire and continue chronologically to study the decline of Rome and the creation of the Carolingian Empire, and culminate with the arrival on the European scene of the Vikings.
Pragya Vohra PhD
Term: Autumn
Day: Monday
Start Date: 03 October 2011
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
The Drama of It All: Scriptwriting for Stage, Screen and Radio
Students will be taught how to approach scriptwriting for stage, screen and radio. Particular emphasis will be placed on how to write for performance, technical vocabulary and industry standards on presentation. Students will be given a grounding in the history of script-based art forms, and dramatic devices unique to scripted media will be discussed at length through analysis of contemporary writers and texts. There will be ample opportunity for students to develop their own work in class through group critique. The differences between script and media product will be explored in some detail via comparison of original screenplays and the films that grew out of them. Advice will also be given on how to go about pitching ideas to media institutions and on locating current opportunities for scriptwriters.
Matthew Midgley BA
Term: Autumn
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 04 October 2011
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
The History and Theory of Archaeology
The study of the human past through its surviving relics has its own history, going back from ancient civilisations through to the age of heroic archaeological expeditions and speculations of early antiquarians. Key personalities created archaeology as we know it today. This module introduces students to the history of archaeological thought from early times to the present. In order to understand and appreciate the ways in which archaeologists think, it is important to understand the development of the discipline worldwide. The impact of major theoretical and philosophical developments in archaeology are illustrated by looking at the effects they had on the practice of archaeology, and the implications which that had for the development of the subject both regionally and globally.
Don Henson BA MPhil FSA MIfA FHEA
Term: Autumn
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 04 October 2011
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £180.00
Credits: 20
The History of York: Setting the City in Context
York is a much-studied city, but this is often presented as independent studies of specific periods or topics. The module aims to link those periods together and provide a broad but coherent exploration of the history of York within its regional and national context, from its foundation in the 1st century AD to the present day. The surviving archaeological and built heritage is now central to York's promotion as a tourist destination, but attitudes to this heritage have varied considerably in the past, and this has had considerable impact on what has survived. This module sets the history of York in a suitable chronology and encourages reflection on what has governed and influenced the heritage York promotes today.
Louise Hampson MA
Term: Autumn
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 04 October 2011
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £180.00
Credits: 20
The Tudors: Power and Religion 1485–1603
The House of Tudor has endured as a topic of historical interest. This module will consider why British interest in the Tudors has captured the imagination for so long. This exciting module covers the period from the victory of Henry Tudor at Bosworth to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. It will consider events such as the Reformations under Henry VIII and Edward VI, the reign of the Catholic Mary I and the Spanish Armada during the reign of Elizabeth I. It will also consider the changes in religious devotion in England after the Reformation and the cult of monarchy.
Jennifer Hillman BA MA
Term: Autumn
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 04 October 2011
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
Creative Quests: an Introduction to the Writing of Fiction, Poetry and Scripts
The module aims to introduce creative writing students to the main forms of imaginative writing, namel: fictional prose, poetry and scriptwriting. The reading of key literary texts will be combined with opportunities for students to write frequently and to attempt forms that may be new to them. Encouragement to take creative risks runs central to the module in order to promote experimentation and original thinking. Students will be introduced to the specific processes of structure and content, and techniques will be offered to enable language to be used appropriately, precisely and to dramatic effect.
Elizabeth Linklater CertEd MA
Term: Autumn
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 06 October 2011
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
Spring Term: January 2012 - March 2012
Changing Personalities of York
The character and atmosphere of a city is not static but alters under the influence of social, political and cultural changes. This module aims to present the city of York as a variety of civic personalities anchored in their time: from the early York of conquest, through re-shaping as a Medieval religious centre, to the hub of northern polite society in the 18th Century and increasingly as an industrial and urban identity into the 19th and 20th Centuries leading to the creation of modern York as a ‘science city’ and university centre. The module will combine social and political history and make use of local biographies - Scrope, Goodricke, Fairfax, Hudson, for example - to further ‘read’ the identity of York. York will be presented against the wider national context in each period to allow students to see both similarities and particular qualities of York life.
Helen Bullock BA MA
Term: Spring
Day: Monday
Start Date: 09 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
Poets on Form: Exploring the Writing of Poetry Using Form
The module aims to present students with a wide range of poetic forms from the traditional to the contemporary through fixed forms as well as free verse. Fixed forms may include, for example: the villanelle, sonnet, sestina, terza rima, pantoum or ballad. The forms examined will offer students the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for their own imaginative expression. Exploring new forms and experimenting with both their formalities and freedoms often brings a new and exciting depth to the writing of poetry. Central to the module is the notion that poetry is a living, spoken art that is accessible and relevant, and to this end students will be encouraged to attend local live poetry events that support this idea.
Doreen Gurrey BEd CertEd
Term: Spring
Day: Monday
Start Date: 09 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
Film and Genre
Since the early years of the film industry, genre has been a crucial element in the production of films, in the way they are promoted and in the way audiences view them. In this module we will examine the emergence of genre in early film, its entrenchment as the industrial strategy par excellence during the Classical Hollywood Era, and the increasingly hybridised character of generic filmmaking which has emerged since. We will combine the study of classic genres like the Western and the Musical with the application of genre theory to other areas, interrogating the ‘generic’ production, distribution and reception of the independent film and the art film. Suitable for any student with a keen interest in film, this module will introduce students to a wide variety of films and provide them with the academic tools to analyse film genre.
Matthew Midgley BA
Term: Spring
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 10 January 2012
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
Introduction to Art History
Throughout the ages, beliefs, ideals, passions and ideas have been expressed in works of art, each the product and expression of their time, but also frequently a source of inspiration, reinvention and refutation. This module will not only introduce students to various ways of analysing and interpreting Western art and architecture in different media, but also offers a stimulating foundation for further art-historical study. We will trace the key artistic developments and styles from their roots in the classical world of Greece and Rome, through the Medieval period to the Italian Renaissance and the rediscovery of the classical ideals of form and proportion, and thence to the 18th Century and the great age of British portraiture. From there we will move into the 19th Century and look at the origins of movements such as the Pre-Raphaelites and the Impressionists, before exploring the modern movements of the 20th and 21st Centuries.
Samantha Hancock BA MA
Term: Spring
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 10 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
The Medieval English House: Hearth and Home (c1150-1500
Living in or near to York provides so much for the medieval aficionado to experience first hand. Archives, artefacts and archaeological excavations first come to mind, but architecture and building materials are before our very eyes in the city walls, the castle, the Minster and the fabric of many of our domestic buildings. This module will provide an overview of the development of the English house from the 12th to late 15th Centuries by exploring aspects of architecture and aesthetics and covering a range of topics: building materials; methods of construction; the labour force; the building plot; patterns of access; use of rooms; and fittings and furnishings. We shall look at exteriors, interiors, outbuildings, commercial premises, yards and gardens in order to find out more about the hearths and homes of medieval families. Class discussion will be encouraged, and it is hoped to arrange a walking tour of York.
Louise R Wheatley MA PhD
Term: Spring
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 10 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
The Raw Materials of History: Understanding, Handling and Using Objects and Documents
This module explores the key historical questions of 'how do we know' and 'what do we know' and will give first-hand experience of the joys, frustrations and pitfalls of interrogating original source material to uncover historical evidence. It will provide practical experience of handling and using objects and archives for historical research and equip students with the skills and techniques necessary to do so safely and effectively. It is anticipated that some elements of the module will be taught within the premises of the York Museums Trust and we will utilise their collections as the basis for the sessions. The curators of the Trust will provide periodic specialist input and allow students to engage directly with museum professionals active in the field. Students will also have the opportunity to access archive and local history material and so work with the real historical record.
Louise Hampson MA
Term: Spring
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 10 January 2012
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £180.00
Credits: 20
Novel Ways: Writing the Novel
This module will introduce students to the pleasures and pitfalls of novel writing, from conception to completion. Fundamental aspects of the novel as a literary form will be discussed at length, and strategies devised for maintaining discipline and morale over a writing process that can take a number of years. Particular attention will be paid to the beginning of this process, with ideas devised in class and fleshed out into larger plans before being put down as prose and discussed in workshops. Close attention will be paid throughout to the work and experiences of established writers and a number of novels – genre and literary – will be analysed in class. Students will be equipped with a solid foundation on which to build their own work during the module and after it.
Matthew Midgley BA
Term: Spring
Day: Wednesday
Start Date: 11 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
The English Civil War and Interregnum (c1637–1661)
The English Civil War is one of the most significant political events in British History when England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales were plunged into civil war and rebellion. This module will examine the political, social and religious history of England in the 17th Century, focusing on the impact of the Civil War. It will explore the causes and events of war in the mid-17th Century and consider how conflict affected the lives of different social groups. The module will also provide an introduction to historical concepts such as revolution and rebellion.
Jennifer Hillman BA MA
Term: Spring
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 12 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
An Introduction to British Archaeology
The British Isles has a diverse archaeological record, and terms such as ‘Iron Age’ and ‘megalith’ are familiar to many. This module takes a chronological route through British archaeology from the first traces of people on these islands through to the sites and monuments of the Industrial Revolution. For each period we review the nature of the surviving evidence and what different forms of data we might extract from the surviving sites and artefacts. We consider the evidence for periods of invasion and colonisation, the introduction of new technologies and their impact on how people lived, and the main environmental, cultural, economic and social processes that operated in each period.
Charlie Dean BSc MSc CertEd
Term: Spring
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 12 January 2012
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £180.00
Credits: 20
Ekphrasis
Using Ekphrasis (which is loosely translated as ‘the dramatic description of a visual work of art’) this module uses the artistic/historic culture of York as a stimulus for kick-starting the creative writing process. Interspersed with campus-based sessions where the written and spoken word is encouraged, examined and developed, visits will be made to places of relevance such as York Art Gallery, The Castle Museum and other sites. At these locations students will be led through processes that inspire their creative writing responses. Throughout the module creative writing techniques will be taught against a rich literary background of published writers, offering a fresh, active, inspirational approach to writing that is suitable for experienced writers or those new to writing. It is anticipated that the Saturday morning visits will be on the following dates: 28 January, 11 February, 25 February and 10 March. Please note that these visits form the heart of the module.
Elizabeth Linklater CertEd MA
Term: Spring
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 12 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
The History of the Family and Family History
Are you thinking about starting your family history? Trying to find out why families migrated large distances or changed occupation? Not only does this module introduce you to the sources held in the Borthwick Institute in York, it will also help you place your family histories in their contemporary contexts, adding colour to the bare genealogical bones. This module introduces practical techniques and begins by considering how historians have interpreted the family and how it has changed over time. We will then consider the sources available and how to use them to reconstruct a family history. Individual topics will include: an introduction to demography; constructing a family history; sources such as parish records, wills, the Census; trade directories; recusant records; poor law reforms; non-conformist registers; dating old photographs and many more.
Gillian Waters BA MA PGDip PGCE
Term: Spring
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 12 January 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
The Philosophy of Creativity
Over the duration of the module, we will explore philosophical issues concerning the nature of creativity in the arts and sciences, asking a range of questions: What is creativity? How is creativity best defined? Can creativity be explained? What are some of the recent theories of creativity? What objections might be raised to them? Is artistic creativity different from scientific creativity? What is the relationship between creativity and imagination?
This module is offered in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy – students will attend lectures offered by the department for the first hour of each session alongside undergraduates before taking part in lifelong learning-specific seminars for the second part of each session.
Tutor to be confirmed
Term: Spring
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 19 January 2012
Time: 5.15-6.15pm (lecture) 6.30-7.30pm (seminar)
No. of weeks: 9
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
Summer Term: April 2012 - June 2012
Louis XIV and the Royal Court in France (1643–1715)
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited châteaux in the world. In this module we will examine court life during the formative years of the Palace: the reign of Louis XIV of France, 1643-1715. This module will explore how Versailles became symbolic of his divinely ordained power. The module will also provide an introduction to the ‘Baroque’ culture of the court by examining the ballets, operas, music and feasts that Louis XIV commissioned to entertain his courtiers. The module will also provide an introduction to the women at Louis XIV's court and question whether he was influenced by his wives and mistresses during the course of his reign.
Robin MacDonald BA MA
Term: Summer
Day: Monday
Start Date: 16 April 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
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Theming Your Poetry towards a Sequence or Collection
This module sits at the edge of contemporary thinking where the publication of poetry is concerned and will appeal to poets who may be looking toward creating a first collection. Currently there is a return to pamphleteering: the building of a group of poems that are printed in pamphlet form (for example Michael Marks, Flarestack, Templar all produce pamphlets for new poets). Experienced poets may use the module to build toward a small collection experimenting with forms and themes in this way with a view to working toward a pamphleteer publication. Less experienced poets will gain tuition in the mechanics of writing poetry through exposure to ideas of creativity, form and theme. Great attention is paid to established poets and their work. This is an exciting, innovative module that holds at its heart an energetic commitment to qualitative writing.
Elizabeth Linklater CertEd MA
Term: Summer
Day: Monday
Start Date: 16 April 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
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Unfortunately, this course has been cancelled |
In Short: Writing the Short Story
VS Pritchett’s definition of a short story is ‘something glimpsed from the corner of the eye, in passing’ and according to Edgar Allen Poe it should be read ‘at one sitting, have a limited number of characters and incidents and use words effectively and sparingly’. This module aims to introduce writers to the specific techniques required for writing effective, compelling short stories. Classical, modern and contemporary texts will be looked at as models for your own writing alongside genre fiction (horror, mystery, science fiction etc.) Time will be given to the short story market and publishing opportunities.
Doreen Gurrey Bed CertEd
Term: Summer
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 17 April 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
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The Medieval English Household: Livelihood, Lifestyle and Standards of Living (c1250-1500)
The recent televised dramas of ‘upstairs-downstairs’ life have drawn large audiences and rightly so, because the internal life of the domestic household, past and present, is interesting and entertaining. The typical medieval household was hierarchical in the extreme which, considering human nature, would have the potential for conflict among members. Although the overall focus of this module is the middle class family (rural and urban) there will be sessions on larger and smaller households in both secular and religious contexts. A variety of primary sources will be used to explore the medieval household as a social and economic unit; and this, in turn, will help to shed light on the lives of men, women and children and on their roles, responsibilities and relationships. No doubt a bit of class conflict will surface, and there might even be some scandal!
Louise R Wheatley MA PhD
Term: Summer
Day: Tuesday
Start Date: 17 April 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
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York's Archaeology and Architecture: an Introduction to Researching, Interpreting and Using the Physical Evidence and Built Environment
York is rightly famous for its architecture and archaeology, but how do we interrogate that built and excavated historical record to find out more about the city's history and development? This module will provide an introduction to: the theory of the practices and processes of archaeological investigation through the study of the published excavation reports as well as the study of the artefacts and features uncovered; some of the skills and techniques used in the examination and interpretation of standing buildings to determine patterns of development and planning; and ways of drawing on both above and below ground archaeology to trace the development of York through the last 2,000 years. The only 'digging' will be the paper kind, but the module will hopefully include some site visits and exploration of the city to see how the traces and clues can be built up to tell York's story.
Louise Wheatley MA PhD [Please note the change of date and tutor]
Term: Summer
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 19 April 2012
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £180.00
Credits: 20
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Unfortunately, this course has been cancelled |
Crime and Punishment in York
Crime and punishment are fuelled by passions - rage, jealousy, greed, lust, revenge - and that's just the beginning of an exploration into the history of crime in York and how society responded to them over time. The manifestation of crime, from theft to murder, witchcraft, prostitution and treason will be considered in historical context from medieval to modern times. In addition to reading and talking about crime, this module will give students the opportunity to write creatively about it. Aspiring writers will be encouraged to produce poetry, monologues, short stories or even the outline and beginnings of a novel as a response to the historical study of crime in York. Students will be encouraged to partake in class discussions, share their writing and receive feedback from fellow writer-students. No previous experience necessary but a willingness to both learn about crime and punishment and share the personal responses it inspires is expected.
Helen Bullock BA MA
Term: Summer
Day: Wednesday
Start Date: 18 April 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
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Unfortunately this course has been cancelled |
The Archaeology of Egypt
Of all the great ‘ancient civilisations’, Egypt grabs the imagination like no other, in part because of its deep and detailed history, and in part because of the rich and diverse record of objects and structures that it has left. This module introduces Egyptian archaeology in its broadest sense, revealing Egypt’s ancient history and culture through chronological examination of key sites, historical figures and artefacts, and the archaeologists and scientists involved in their study. Although the archaeology of ancient Egypt has traditionally focused on temples, tombs and mummies, evidence for daily life and settlement sites is gradually redressing this imbalance, with new discoveries as likely to be made within the museum or laboratory environment as within Egypt itself. We take a chronological path through Egyptian archaeology from the neglected Pre-dynastic period to the time of Cleopatra VII, and review the rediscovery of this fascinating land by European travellers.
Beckie Dean BA MA
Term: Summer
Day: Wednesday
Start Date: 18 April 2012
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £180.00
Credits: 20
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Painting in Britain (1730-1840)
This module examines the development of British painting in the Georgian era, a period in which the volume and variety of artistic production changed almost beyond recognition within the space of a century. At the beginning of the 18th Century, the British art market was dominated by foreigners and by portraiture: at the beginning of the following century many could speak with conviction of an English school of painting, dominated by figures such as Reynolds, Gainsborough and Turner. We will examine the artistic personalities and debates which accompanied this transition though a ‘Golden Age’ of British painting. Seminars will adopt a variety of art-historical approaches in order for students to gain an understanding of the cultural debates and priorities which accelerated artistic developments in the period. As well as focusing on individual artists, we will also consider specific genres of painting, and the audiences and spaces which consumed and informed them.
Sarah Burnage BA MA PhD
Term: Summer
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 19 April 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
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Unfortunately this course has been cancelled |
Teenworks: Writing Fiction for Young Adults (12-18)
This module aims to introduce writers to the techniques and skills required when writing fiction for the booming Young Adult market. Contemporary and classical texts will be analysed and consideration will be given as to why culturally and socially a specific market exists for the age range together with contemporary crossover fiction. Tone, themes and setting will be considered alongside an energetic encouragement to try out a variety of writing approaches.
Elizabeth Linklater CertEd MA
Term: Summer
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 19 April 2012
Time: 7-9pm
No. of weeks: 11
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
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Further Philosophy of Creativity
This module follows on from ‘The Philosophy of Creativity’ which students must have completed first. In this further module, we will allow students to further explore philosophical issues concerning the nature of creativity. This is an opportunity to show evidence of independent learning, informed by the materials initially covered in the preceding module, and using case studies selected by the student. Part of this module will involve giving a short seminar presentation on a topic of your own choosing.
This module is offered in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy – after an initial lecture offered by the department (exact time and date to be confirmed later in the year) students will take part in fortnightly seminars.
Term: Summer
Day: Thursday
Start Date: 03 May 2012
Time: 6.15-8.15pm
No. of weeks: Four fortnightly seminars plus a one-to-one with tutor.
Full fee: £107.00
Credits: 10
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Enrol and Pay at the Online Store |
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