Module ARCH3511: MUSEUM ARCHAEOLOGY

Department: Archaeology

ARCH3511: MUSEUM ARCHAEOLOGY

Prerequisites

• Archaeological Method and Theory (ARCH2121) OR Professional Training (Techniques of Archaeological Fieldwork) (ARCH2102).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• This constitutes one of a group of modules designed to provide students with a sound knowledge of core professional techniques related to the recording and analysis of classes of primary archaeological materials, and thus develop skills required for their analysis and interpretation.
• To enable students to:
• Understand contemporary professional principles and good practice relating to museum communication, through lectures, practicals, tutorials and fieldtrip.
• Examine critically the broader context of museum archaeology, with particular reference to contemporary debates in Britain, through lectures and seminar.

Content

• This module examines the principles and practice of museum archaeology.
• Practicals and tutorials prepare students for a group exhibition on an aspect of archaeology to be presented to the public in the Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology, which forms the focus for this module.
• Lectures and seminar cover:
• museum communication.
• education and learning in museums.
• contemporary archaeological exhibitions and representations.
• evaluating museums and exhibitions.
• contemporary issues in museum archaeology.
• access and the social role of archaeology museums.
• Fieldtrip involves visits to museums in Durham.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module the students will have:
• Developed a sound knowledge of contemporary professional principles and good practice relating to museum communication, and of the broader context of museum archaeology.
• Engaged in debates relating to museum archaeology in Britain.
• Visited and evaluated a variety of museums and exhibitions in Durham.
• Gained practical skills and experience and basic curatorial skills, by creating a public temporary museum exhibition and working as a member of a curatorial team preparing a temporary public museum exhibition.
• Developed communication and presentation skills through the production of a portfolio which evaluates that practical experience.

• By the end of the module students will have gained the following subject skills:
• basic curatorial skills (practical and intepretive) pertaining to archaeological collections research and museum communication.

• By the end of the mosule students will have gained and developed the following skills:
• accessing museum resources
• undertaling independent study, research and problem-solving
• participation in and reflection on collaborative team work
• collection, critical analysis and interpretation of complex primary and secondary data
• preparation and effective communication of interpretations in written and visual form

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, practicals and self-guided learning.
• It is assessed through a physical museum display which assesses practical skills and experience and basic curatorial skills and a written portfolio, which assess communication and presentation skills.
• 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.
• Practical classes involve demonstrations and hands-on exercises using archaeological materials and facilities, undertaken in small to medium sized groups.
• 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:

None.

■ 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