Module ARCH54630: Artefact Studies

Department: Archaeology

ARCH54630: Artefact Studies

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

Content

• This module helps students to gain an understanding of the theory, practice and status of artefact studies, from both an archaeological and an inter-discplinary perspective, with particular reference to musem collections and archives. More specifically, students learn about the physical properties and traditional production and consumption, of a range of materials and artefacts. They also develop skills in handling, analysing, interpreting and recording a range of materials and artefacts from different periods and cultures.

Learning Outcomes

• A range of major humanistic and scientific approaches, techniques, key terms, concepts, themes and debates relating to the study of artefacts.
• The material composition, technology of production, uses and cultural context of a range of inorganic and organic artefacts from different periods and cultures collected in museums and archives.

• Collect, examine, record, analyse, interpret critically, draw justifiable conclusions from, synthesise, present and acknowledge artefact-related research information (including both quantitative and qualitative information from publications, collections, databases, subject specialists and tutors), selecting and using appropriate methods carefully and accurately, in line with the aims and objectives of a research plan.
• Handle, examine, analyse, identify, classify, interpret, document, describe and report (in written and graphic form) artefacts from different periods and cultures, using appropriate methods carefully, safely and accurately, summarising critically their physical nature, structure and composition, key features, condition, use, history, significance, age, provenance, relationship to other relevant objects, in line with a research plan.

• Use computer and information technology (e.g. word processing, databases, graphing and image processing).
• Access library, museum, archive and World Wide Web resources.
• Undertake advanced independent study, research and problem solving.
• Communicate information and arguments effectively, in written, visual and computerised form, to specialist audiences.
• Take responsibility for personal, professional and ethical development within the museum and cultural heritage sector or within academia, responding actively to critical feedback.
• Manage time effectively, working to time-tables and meeting deadlines.

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

• TEACHING & LEARNING METHODS
• Lectures, comprising concise, accessible and interesting oral and visual presentations of key information, by tutors to the full programme cohort of students, supported by the extensive programme bibliography and summaries posted on the Durham University On-Line (DUO) intranet. Lectures enable learners to gain a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the full range of subject-specific knowledge.
• Seminars, comprising structured oral and visual presentations and discussions of well-defined topics, by individual or groups of students to the rest of the full programme cohort and facilitated by tutors, supported by the programme bibliography and summaries posted on DUO. Seminars enable learners to deepen their knowledge and critical understanding of a wide range of subject-specific knowledge, to enhance subject-specific skills in working with museum- and artefact-related research information, and to enhance key skills in the use of computer and information technology, accessing information resources, undertaking advanced independent study, participating responsibly in team work, communicating effectively, and managing time effectively. Practical classes, involving demonstrations and hands-on exercises, using materials, techniques and facilities relevant to museum and artefact studies, undertaken in smaller sized student groups, with personal tuition from professionally trained and experienced tutors, and supported by resources posted on DUO where appropriate.
• Practical classes enable learners to gain direct experience and competence in a wide range of subject-specific skills pertaining to museum and artefact-based work, and in key skills involving computer and information technology. Self-guided learning, comprising personal and group-based study, research, revision, problem-solving and evaluation associated with classes and assignments. Self-guided learning enables students to increase their knowledge and critical understanding of the full range of subject-specific knowledge, and to gain experience and competence in the full range of subject-specific skills and key skills.
• ASSESSMENT METHODS
• 2 Reports, comprising concise and structured 3000-word knowledgeable and critical written documentations and discussions of research on chosen artefacts, accompanied by appropriate data and illustrations. The Reports ensure demonstration of the achievement of a sound knowledge and critical understanding of a range of subject-specific knowledge relating to artefact studies and collections care, the achievement of direct experience and competence in subject-specific skills relating to artefact studies and collections care, and the achievement of direct experience and competence in a range of key skills. The Reports ensure demonstration of the achievement of a sound knowledge and critical understanding of a range of subject-specific knowledge relating to artefact studies and collections care, the achievement of direct experience and competence in subject-specific skills relating to artefact studies and collections care, and the achievement of direct experience and competence in a range of key skills. Formative assessment, accompanied by written feedback from tutors, is regarded as an integral part of the learning process. It helps learners to consolidate knowledge and understanding and to explore and develop subject-specific and key skills. A range of formative assignments therefore precede a selection of summative assignments on all modules within the programme. These relate to specific learning outcomes, as well as a few additional learning outcomes not assessed summatively. The formative assignments include:
• 1 Seminar Presentation, of between 10 and 50 minutes, help to consolidate knowledge and understanding of topics relating to artefact studies, help to develop the subject-specific skill of working with research data, and help to develop a range of key skills, as well as helping to develop oral communication skills. Written feedback on seminar presentations deals with the following areas: choice of topic, including appropriateness of title; knowledge of the subject, including definition of its scope and key issues; clarity of explanations of key terms and concepts; clarity of structure; use of examples; use and clarity of appropriate visual materials; facilitation of discussion, including response to questions; presentation, including pace and tone of delivery, vocal clarity and projection; audience attention, including eye contact and audience response; and anxiety behaviour.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

500 word inorganic artefact 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