12
Indefinito/Interdisciplinare
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The AAF aims to provide students with specific linguistic knowledge and skills in the field of archaeology, with a particular focus on English technical and specialised vocabulary.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- acquire and use core archaeological vocabulary in English;
- understand and describe what archaeology is, its main areas of practice, and the role of the archaeologist;
- correctly distinguish between artefacts, ecofacts, and features, using appropriate terminology;
- understand and apply key concepts such as site, context, stratigraphic unit, layer, and stratigraphy;
- identify and describe the main branches of archaeology;
- use vocabulary related to archaeological excavation, including tools, field equipment, excavation procedures, documentation practices, and site safety;
- describe archaeological actions, methods, and practices in English;
- understand and use terminology related to stratigraphy and archaeological dating, distinguishing between relative and absolute dating methods;
- describe chronological sequences and interpret basic stratigraphic diagrams and a simple Harris matrix;
- read, understand, and discuss short archaeological texts and descriptions in English, and present basic archaeological data and findings clearly.
Course Prerequisites
No specific prerequisites are required.
However, a basic knowledge of English (A2/B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference) is recommended in order to follow the lessons and actively participate in course activities.
Teaching Methods
Teaching activities are carried out through lectures, combined with practical and interactive activities.
The course includes guided introduction of specialised vocabulary, analysis of examples and short archaeological texts in English, as well as exercises aimed at developing comprehension, usage, and production skills.
The lessons include:
- presentations and explanations of key concepts;
- guided reading and discussion of archaeological texts and materials in English;
- lexical and terminological exercises;
- activities focused on describing archaeological contexts, materials, methods, and findings;
- use of multimedia materials and online resources
Assessment Methods
Assessment is compulsory and is based on the evaluation of an individual portfolio, including the exercises and activities completed during the course (such as lexical exercises, short descriptive texts, and comprehension and production activities in English).
Assessment also takes into account active participation during classes, with particular attention to students’ engagement in classroom activities and guided discussions.
Texts
All teaching materials (slides, glossaries, texts, exercises and supporting materials) will be provided by the instructor and made available online through the University e-learning platform:
https://elearning.unior.it/course/view.php?id=9170
Access to the platform and course materials will be granted via password, which will be provided during the lessons.
Contents
The 12-hour course focuses on the acquisition and practical use of English archaeological vocabulary, with particular emphasis on key concepts, excavation practices, and the communication of archaeological findings.
The module begins with an introduction to archaeology as a discipline, the role of the archaeologist, and the main branches of archaeology, providing students with essential terminology to describe archaeological activities, contexts, and materials. Special attention is given to the distinction between artefacts, ecofacts, and features, as well as to core concepts such as site, context, layer, stratigraphic unit, and stratigraphy.
A substantial part of the course is devoted to the language of archaeological excavation, including vocabulary related to tools, field equipment, excavation procedures, documentation techniques, and site safety. Students practice describing excavation actions, methods, and recording processes in English.
The course also introduces key terminology related to stratigraphy and archaeological dating, covering the principles of chronological sequences, relative and absolute dating methods, and the interpretation of basic stratigraphic diagrams and a simple Harris matrix.
The final section focuses on artefacts and material culture, archaeological sites and cultural periods, and the presentation of archaeological findings in English, through guided reading, discussion, and oral practice based on simplified archaeological texts and reports.
Course Language
English
More information
Further information
For further information, please send an email: gscottodicarlo@unior.it