This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module ARCH3371: ARCHAEOLOGY DISSERTATION (20 CREDITS)

Department: Archaeology

ARCH3371: ARCHAEOLOGY DISSERTATION (20 CREDITS)

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	3	20	Available in 2010/2011	None.	Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

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

Corequisites

At least ONE other Level 3 module in Archaeology.

Excluded Combinations

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 6,000 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

By the end of the module students will have:
Selected a research topic in archaeology.
Researched this topic.
Developed a deep knowledge of a specialist area of archaeology capable of reasonably complete treatment within the given word limit.

Subject-specific Skills

Production of a research-led archaeological report, using a range of core practical and interpretative skills pertaining to archaeology (including analytical, laboratory or field skills).
Undertaking of research in and reporting on a specific area of archaeology, applying the transferable skills listed below.

Key Skills

Undertaking independent study and research.
Design and execution of a programme of primary research.
Sampling, collection, recording and critical analysis of primary and secondary data as the result of accessing library, museum, archive and/or WWW resources.
Preparation and effective communication of research methods, data, results, interpretations and arguments written and visual form, and
Time management.

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

The module is taught through self-guided learning.
It is assessed through a written dissertation.
Tutorials will focus on discussion and feedback between a tutor and student, in a relatively informal learning environment, enabling the student to enhance, discuss, question and receive feedback on their knowledge and to gain experience in oral communication.
Self-guided learning comprises personal study, research, revision and evaluation associated with tutorials and assignments; guided by lecturers, tutors and reading lists of specialist books, articles and web-sites.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

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

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Dissertation	80%	Dissertation	6,000 words max	100%
Research Design	20%	Research Design - end of Michaelmas Term	1,500 words max.	100%

Formative Assessment

One project outline, 500 words, mid-Michaelmas Term.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.