Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module ARCH3371: ARCHAEOLOGY DISSERTATION (20 CREDITS)

Department: ARCHAEOLOGY

ARCH3371: ARCHAEOLOGY DISSERTATION (20 CREDITS)

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to CFG0
Tied to LF64
Tied to LMV0
Tied to VF14

Prerequisites

  • Archaeological Method and Theory (ARCH2121) OR Applied Archaeological Science (ARCH2041).

Corequisites

  • At least ONE other Level 3 module in Archaeology.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Archaeology Dissertation (40 Credits) (ARCH3362).

Aims

  • To develop students' skills in independent research, the analysis and presentation of evidence and the structuring of argumentation by producing a dissertation (of 8,000 words) in a selected specialist area of archaeology.

Content

  • The student will undertake a piece of supervised, independent research and investigate the approved topic using an appropriate range of practical, laboratory and/or field techniques and produce a well-argued and presented report.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • At the end of the module, the student will have:
  • selected and developed a research topic, and demonstrated the ability to undertake independent research activity.
  • demonstrated the ability to achieve the above using a range of practical, laboratory or fieldwork skills.
  • conducted background reading and other secondary research into the topic.
  • prepared and presented the text, drawings and supporting material of a finished dissertation to an acceptable standard.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • undertaking research in and reporting on a specific area of archaology, using core skills listed below.
Key Skills:
  • Independent study
  • Design of a research programme
  • Collection, analysis and interpretation of primary data
  • Presentation of data and arguments in written and visual form

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • TEACHING & LEARNING: Tutorials; self-guided learning
  • ASSESSMENT: Dissertation; research design

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Tutorials 8 4 Per Term 1 Hour 8
Preparation and Reading 192
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Dissertation Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
dissertation 8,000 words max. 100%

Formative Assessment:

Outline Research Design 500 words, mid-Michaelmas; Research Design 2,000 words, end Michaelmas Term.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University