Academic Year/course:
2023/24
418 - Degree in History
28109 - Prehistory: hunter gatherers
Syllabus Information
Academic year:
2023/24
Subject:
28109 - Prehistory: hunter gatherers
Faculty / School:
103 - Facultad de Filosofía y Letras
Degree:
418 - Degree in History
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
1
Semester:
Second semester
Subject type:
Compulsory
Module:
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1. General information
The subject "Prehistory" aims to offer a reasoned and critical knowledge about the origin of Humanity and the transformation of hunter-gatherer societies into producer societies .
Specifically, this subject analyses human evolutionary processes and their material culture, through the study of the archaeological record (whose rudiments of analysis, specifically those related to field and laboratory work, are acquired by students), during the prehistoric period of hunter-gatherer societies.
It would be advisable for students to have a basic knowledge of prehistory, especially its most ancient stage.
These approaches and objectives are aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations (2030 Agenda (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/).
Goal 4: Quality Education.
Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Goal 10: Reduction of Inequalities
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Goal 17: Alliances to Achieve Objectives.
2. Learning results
In order to pass this subject, students must demonstrate the following learning results:
Correctly identifies the different prehistoric sources, especially those corresponding to the populations of hunter-gatherers, and critically evaluates them using different specific disciplines.
Makes proper use of bibliographic and computer tools that allow access to prehistoric information on hunter-gatherer societies.
Knows the methods and techniques of research in prehistory, especially those related to the work of archaeological prospecting and excavation .
Organizes complex information related to cultural, technological and environmental aspects, in addition to the artistic and religious manifestations of hunter-gatherer populations in a coherent manner.
The student expresses and argues orally and in writing in Spanish, using the concepts, vocabulary and terminology of the prehistorian, focusing on the scope of early hunter-gatherer populations.
Develops its sensitivity to the past, to the sources for its knowledge and to the social importance of the historical-cultural heritage, especially the prehistoric-archaeological heritage of hunter-gatherers.
3. Syllabus
1. Concept and periodization of Prehistory. Theoretical currents.
2. Archaeological method: data on economy and society, symbolism, paleoenvironment... Field work, laboratory, office. Dating systems.
3. Quaternary: Ecosystems and Landscapes.
4. Hominization: from the origin of bipedalism to H. sapiens.
5. Prehistoric typology: raw materials, tool manufacture, techno-typological evolution of Palaeolithic lithic and bone tools.
6. The European Palaeolithic: main chronocultures of the Palaeolithic of Western Europe: Lower, middle and upper Palaeolithic. 7. Palaeolithic art and prehistoric mentality: religious and transcendental beliefs, vision of their environment. Chronologies and places, artistic techniques, cultic practices and rites.
4. Academic activities
Learning process:
* Understanding and analysis of the contents of the theoretical program.
* Follow-up, discussion and tests of the contents of the practical classes.
* Presentation of extended problems with the recommended bibliography.
Learning activities:
* Theoretical classes: lecture and projection of audiovisual documentation.
* Practical classes to apply contents explained in theoretical classes: collections of Palaeolithic experimental materials, cartographic collections and materials from surveys and excavations of the Prehistory Area of the Department of Antiquity Sciences .
* Individual and group work on certain aspects of the program.
* Tutoring.
5. Assessment system
The student must demonstrate that they has achieved the learning results.
Regular call.
Global assessment test (on the date established in the academic calendar)
a. Written test on the contents explained in theoretical and practical sessions, in audiovisual programs projected in class, in addition to those that appear in the basic recommended bibliography and in the practical work done
b. Assessment criteria: 1. Proper wording and absence of spelling mistakes. 2. Knowledge of the contents of the program. 3. Use of terminology according to the subject. 4. Ability to summarise and perform a critical analysis. 5.-Creative solution of the problems posed, especially in practical work.
Extraordinary call.
Global assessment test (to be taken on the date established in the academic calendar).
a. Written test on the contents that appear in the syllabus and in the basic bibliography.
b. Assessment criteria: 1. Proper wording and absence of spelling mistakes. 2. Knowledge of the contents of the program. 3. Use of terminology according to the subject. 4. Ability to summarise and perform a critical analysis.
The grade obtained may be improved with the evaluation of small practical works, voluntary, elaborated by the students individually or in groups.