This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)
Module ARCH2171: Introduction to Field Archaeology
Department: Archaeology
ARCH2171: Introduction to Field Archaeology
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 2 | 20 | Available in 2012/2013 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
Pre-requisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combinations
- None
Aims
- Aims The aim of this module is to act as a practical introduction to basic field archaeology skills.
Content
- This module provides a broad range of skills and information relevant to archaeological fieldwork techniques primarily acquired through practical experience on an archaeological excavation but supported by additional lectures and fieldtrips
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- At the end of the module, the student will have:
- demonstrated their understanding of the role of fieldwork in archaeological research and appreciated the inter-relationship of theory and practice in the archaeological process.
- Participated in a group fieldwork project, reflected on its outcome, and learned how and when to deploy particular techniques of investigation and recording.
- acquired the ability to identify and analyse a range of different archaeological materials and data
Subject-specific Skills
- Develop a broad range of core technical and interpretive skills pertaining to archaeological fieldwork and post-fieldwork analysis.
- For archaeological fieldwork: surveying, excavation, recording and safety standards.
Key Skills
- Develop competence in interpretation of data and recognition of links with other categories of evidence.
- Reflection and self-evaluation
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 practical excavation training, lectures, seminars and field trips
- Field training is provided through attendance at Binchester field-school, which includes practical experience and tutoring in a range of basic archaeological excavation skills.
- Lectures will ensure the effective communication of key information and theoretical ideas.
- Fieldtrips provide engagement with a wider range of archaeological evidence in the field.
- The course is assessed through submission of an annotated reflective ‘excavation diary’ recording and contextualising their experience of the excavation.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 3 | 1.5 hours | 4.50 | ||
| Fieldwork | 20 | 7 hours | 140 | ||
| Fieldtrips | 3 | 7 hours | 21 | ||
| Preparation and reading | 34.5 hours | 34.50 | |||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courswork | 100% | Excavation diary recording and reflecting on the experience of excavation | 3000 words | 100% |
Formative Assessment
Group presentation on site: explaining the feature being excavated and the reason for the choice of techniques being used.
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.