Module ARCH2102: PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Department: ARCHAEOLOGY

ARCH2102: PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Prerequisites

• Introduction to Archaeology (ARCH1071) OR Scientific Methods in Archaeology (ARCH1041).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide students with an understanding, based on practical experience, of: the objectives and operation of a fieldwork project.
• the processing of data and material produced by archaeological projects.
• fieldwork-related techniques.
• the preparation of a research design for a piece of independent work.

Content

• This double-module provides a broad range of skills and information relevant to three key elements of professional training in archaeology - excavation.
• analytical skills and approaches.
• and research design.
• In Part I, the compulsory training excavation enables students to develop personal and teamwork skills and learn how to evaluate the performance and management of the excavation.
• In Part II, students select two Units from a wide range of skills and approaches to data and develop their personal skills in these approaches.
• In Part III, students are introduced to research design and information sources for research and the links between Part II skills and research are strengthened.

Learning Outcomes

• At the end of the module, the student will have: demonstrated their understanding of the role of fieldwork in archaeological research and appreciated the inter-relationship of theory and practice in the archaeological process.
• participated in a group fieldwork project, reflected on its outcome, and learned how and when to deploy particular techniques of investigation and recording.
• acquired the ability to identify and analyse a range of different archaeological materials and data.
• laid the basis for taking on increased responsibility for their own learning by producing a design for a substantial piece of independent research.
• in addition, students will have acquired experience of working in teams in order to facilitate specific goals and developed their skills at presenting archaeological data clearly and concisely in written and visual form.

• Develop a broad range of core technical and interpretive skills pertaining to archaeological fieldwork and post-fieldwork analysis.
• For archaeological fieldwork: surveying, excavation, recording and safety standards.
• For post-fieldwork: the production of reports on statistical analysis, artefacts research OR materials research OR botanical remains OR human/animal bone research OR illustration OR conservation.

• Develop competence in a wide range of tarnsferable skills, including skills in reading, assimilating, investigating, criticising complex data and interpretations and IT Skills.

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

• The module is taught through a combination of practical excavation training, lectures, seminars and practicals.
• The excavation must be completed prior to the start of the module, normally in the immediately preceding long vacation.
• The excavation experience provides basic fieldwork training and opportunities to develop practical and teamwork skills.
• Lectures will provide the background for writing-up the summer excavation as a portfolio element and will present aspects of dissertation research design and skills.
• Practicals enable students to gain skills relevant to field and artefact based research, as well as to other aspects of the Level 2 and Level 3 curriculum.
• The excavation portfolio tests the abilities of the student to assess and evaluate the training and the information provided about the site in question.
• The two practical portfolios assess mastery of practical and/or analytical techniques.
• The seminar presentation allows students to gain experience of discussing their ideas with their peers.
• The final portfolio assesses the student's ability to produce a research design and integrate background reading with that design, and is guided by tutorials.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Preparation of an abbreviated Excavation Report, (1000 word limit) with a view to preparing students for the full-length Excavation Portfolio. Oral presentation of research design.

■ 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