Module ARCH1081: APPLIED ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHODS

Department: Archaeology

ARCH1081: APPLIED ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHODS

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Scientific Methods in Archaeology.

Aims

• To demonstrate to students what particular methods can do in the context of archaeology, and to generate a basic critical awareness of the potential and limitations of each.

Content

• What an archaeologist needs to know about:
• 1. Human remains
• 2. Environmental archaeology
• 3. Conservation and materials
• 4. Prospection methods
• 5. Dating

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have:
• Developed a broad range of basic knowledge pertaining to scientific methods used in archaeology, including (a) biological, (b) physical, and (c) environmental.
• Gained a basic knowledge of a range of ideas and materials that form the foundation of knowledge in archaeological science.
• Been introduced to the fundamental issues in archaeological science, principally through secondary literature.

• Applied transferable skills (detailed below) to archaeologically specific tasks and situations.

• Introduction to and participation in undertaking a number of study skills, including essay writing.
• Basic understanding of accessing and using library, WWW and DUO resources.
• Basic knowledge of the preparation and effective communication of data, interpretations and arguments.
• Basic comprehension of sampling, collecting, recording and interpretation of data.

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 lectures, tutorials, formative essays and self-guided learning.
• It is assessed through an unseen examination.
• Lectures will ensure the effective communication of key information and theoretical ideas, supported by reading lists and written summaries of follow-up notes posted on DUO, enabling students to gain up-to-date knowledge, as well as guidance on further reading.
• Tutorials will focus on discussion and feedback between tutors and students in small groups, in a relatively informal learning environment, enabling students to enhance, discuss, question and receive feedback on their knowledge and to gain experience in oral communication and collaborative group-work.
• Self-guided learning comprises personal study, research, revision and evaluation associated with classes and assignments; guided by lecturers, tutors and reading lists of specialist books, articles and web-sites.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two essays, approximately 2,000 words. One short-answer test.

■ 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