ARMT02: Themes and Approaches in the Study of Mesopotamia

Module code: ARMT02

Module provider: Archaeology; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Roger Matthews , email: r.j.matthews@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

In this module we examine themes, issues and approaches in the archaeology of Iraq (Mesopotamia), with focus on the early urban societies of the region, ca. 4000-1500 BC. The aim is to provide you with a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current knowledge and issues in studies of changes in Mesopotamian during this period. The module also aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and methodological approaches to study of early urban settlement and society in this region. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Provide a critical assessment of the main characteristics of, and changes in, early urban settlement and society in Mesopotamia from c. 3200-1750 BC
2. Evaluate critically the nature and quality of archaeological data and the competing methodological and theoretical approaches to key complex issues associated with Mesopotamian settlement and society and to develop critiques of them
3. Locate, extract, and assemble data and information from varied sources, with initiative and minimal guidance
4. Take a creative approach to key issues and to develop independent interpretations of material through self-directed research
5. Synthesise wide-ranging material and to articulate arguments effectively and clearly in writing an assessed essay and orally in seminar debates and presentations

Module content

This module begins with a critical review of socio-cultural developments in Mesopotamia from the late 4th to the early 2nd millennium BC, and the history of archaeological research in the region. The module will then focus thematically on critical evaluation of key issues and case-studies in the study of early urban settlement and society. It will appraise competing approaches, theories and interpretations, and relate them to current debates in archaeology more widely. The issues examined include: human-environment inter-relationships and agricultural intensification; resources, trade and exchange; origins of writing; socio-politics and the nature of power, city-states and empire; ritual, death and burial, and gender and identity. The module will close with a session on the legacy of Mesopotamia and the heritage of Iraq. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Illustrated lectures, seminars and structured group discussion requiring intensive preparatory reading. You will write one assessed essay, which will be returned in individual tutorials, plus one object discussion piece, and will contribute to seminars and critical reviews. 

Study hours

At least 30 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.