Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module ARCH59730: RESEARCH AND STUDY SKILLS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

Department: Archaeology

ARCH59730: RESEARCH AND STUDY SKILLS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

Type Open Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2012/13 Module Cap

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • to enable students to acquire an understanding of research methods, presentation and study skills in social archaeology.

Content

  • Indicative content:
  • Using the library and the internet: where to find information, including databases;
  • Source criticism project;
  • Academic writing skills;
  • Oral presentation skills;
  • Computing and statistics;
  • Preparing a CV;
  • Job, research studentship and grant applications.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
    Subject-specific Skills:
    • Students will have:
    • developed the ability to collect and process reported data using a wide range of resources for social archaeologists;
    • acquired an independent approach to developing their research methods and skills, including the effective use of library facilities and understanding of the academic norms of writing.
    Key Skills:
    • Students will have applied IT to a range of tasks including the gathering of data and presentation of argument and analysis.

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

    • Through a combination of lectures, seminars and a fieldtrip.
    • Students will be expected to choose three projects for assessment from the menu of topics offered each year. Some of the assignments, for example statistical exercises, may involve the creation of tables; some may involve a photographic portfolio, consequently the word limit for each should be 2,000 or equivalent in other forms of data presentation and analysis.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 9 Normally every two weeks 1 hour 9
    Practicals 8 Normally every two weeks 1 hour 8
    Fieldwork 1 Once 4 hours 4
    Preparation and Reading 279
    Total 300

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 34%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Assignment 100% Yes
    Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 33%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Assignment 100% Yes
    Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 33%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Assignment 100% Yes

    Formative Assessment:

    Students have the option to submit a short essay or an annotated bibliography.


    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