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York: Exploring the city - ARC00104M

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  • Department: Archaeology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Gareth Dean
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module summary

The City of York has a long and fascinating history - with a rich archaeological sequence below ground, as well as iconic buildings such as the Minster, City Walls and surviving Medieval and Post-Medieval buildings. This module will introduce the development of the City of York as an archaeological and historical laboratory. We will explore key sites, consider their past uses and their contemporary relevance today as examples of how we study and communicate the past.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

By engaging with the City of York, students will:

  • Understand the development of the City of York through the analysis of key buildings, monument and sites

  • Become familiar with the interpretation of the archaeology and history of the City of York

  • Understand the contemporary relevance of the past in the City of York

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module the students will be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of the archaeological and historical development of the City of York

  • understand the archaeological and historical significance of key buildings/sites/monuments

  • understand how the interpretation and treatment of buildings/sites/monuments in the City of York has changed through time

  • develop and present a short video on their own building/site/monument.

Module content

The module will use a series of case study sites in York to explore the archaeological and historical development of the city. Each week a different site will be explored through virtual field trips and students will be introduced to the archaeological and historical significance of these key buildings/sites/monuments. Weekly debates will consider the contemporary significance of the site in terms of our understanding of the past and in considering the relevance of the past in the present. The assessment will take the form of a short 3 min video on a building/site/monument of the students’ choice, reflecting on its development, significance and the relevance of the past in the present.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
No longer running		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

Pass/fail

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
No longer running		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Written feedback within 6 weeks.

Indicative reading

Dean, G. (2008). Medieval York Stroud:Tempus

Hall, R. (2005) Aspects of Anglo-Scandinavian York. York Archaeological Trust Fascicules 8/ 4 York:Council for British Archaeology

Nuttgens, P. (2001) The history of York: from earliest times to the year 2000 Pickering : Blackthorn Press

Ottaway, P. (2004) Roman York Stroud:Tempus


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.