Module ARCH3571: Advanced Skills in Archaeology

Department: Archaeology

ARCH3571: Advanced Skills in Archaeology

Prerequisites

• ARCH2121 Archaeological Method and Theory or ARCH2041 Scientific Methods in Archaeology 2

Corequisites

• <If other modules, please enter module code using 'Right Click, Insert module_code' or enter module title>

Excluded Combination of Modules

• ARCH3461 Bones and Human Societies

Aims

• To train students in advanced technical and applied techniques for scientific, field and public archaeology
• To provide understanding of the context of these applied methods and techniques and their their correct application, purpose.
• To equip students with a range of transferable skills relevant to employment and training beyond archaeology
• To make students aware of the opportunities for careers using the skills acquired during their degree course

Content

• This module builds on archaeological skills and knowledge developed at level 2 and offers advanced training in key areas of applied archaeological method. It delivers a sound knowledge of core professional techniques related to the recording and analysis of classes of primary archaeological materials, and thus develops skills required for their analysis and interpretation. Using hands-on and case-study-led, short independent projects supervised by academic staff, students can choose two options from the following lists: one from list A and one from list B.
• Students are also given information on careers they might follow after graduation.
• List A
• A1 Mapping and Retrogressive Analysis: Students will learn to work with a variety of historical sources and maps via rural and urban case studies drawn from Europe, India and/or the Near East. They will be introduced to skills and methods relevent to commercial desk-top analysis and learn to use maps and written sources as a means of tracking and mapping earlier landscapes and landscape features.
• A2 Geophysics: A project-led option that provides advanced training in the equipment and methods for data capture in the field, and instructs student in techniques for processing, presenting and interpreting the results.
• A3 Illustration: Students are provides with an introduction to advanced illustration techniques for small finds, ceramics and site data using traditional and new digital methods. They also acquire experience in presenting data in a professional and publishable format.
• A4 Museum Presentation: Introduces students to the principles and practice of museum archaeology via a series of field visits and an independent reflective project appraising and evaluating museum presentation and interpretation.
• List B
• B1 Building Survey: Provides students with advanced training in building recording techniques, data analysis and the professional presentation of results, via a short supervised field project.
• B2 GIS and Mapping: Introduces students to the full range of applications of GIS technology via supervised classes and a series of small independent projects.
• B3 Photography: Introduces students to a range of photographic techniques used within archaeological practice to record key data, to provide publishable images and visual media suitable for public display and dissemination.
• B4 Artefact Cataloguing: Students undertake an individual project using the Durham museums facilities and collections, which provides advanced experience in artefact cataloguing and archiving.

Learning Outcomes

• A critical understanding of two core areas of archaeological practice.
• Advanced understanding of the development of each technique.
• Advanced knowledge of the purpose of each technique
• Knowledge of the context of the techniques and their varied applications in archaeology

• An ability to independently apply learned techniques in two core areas of archaeological practice
• An ability to independently analyse and interpret archaeological data
• An ability to present results in a professional format according to the conventions of archaeological publication

• An ability to critically evaluate the purpose, use and application of relevant professional skills
• An ability to participate effectively in group work in the field and/or class discussion.
• An ability to bring an independent project to a successful conclusion
• An ability to present results in a professional format.

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

• The options are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practicals (in the field museum or classroom) and self-guided projects.
• Lectures 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 ensure discussion and feedback between tutors and students individually and 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.
• Classroom and museum practicals involve demonstrations and hands-on exercises using archaeological materials and facilities, undertaken in small to medium sized groups.
• Field practicals are designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the principles and practices of specific applications and to facilitate the development of field, analytical and presentational skills, through systematic identification, recording and statistical treatment of archaeological material and data.
• Workshops are designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the principles and practices of specific applications and to facilitate the development of analytical and presentational skills, through systematic identification, recording and statistical treatment of archaeological material and data.
• Independent projects, provide opportunity for self-guided learning comprising independent data capture, analysis and interpretation, personal study, research and evaluation guided by lecturers, directed training, and reading lists of specialist books, articles and web-sites.
• Assessment content varies but each option is summatively assessed through an independent project report or a series of exercises compiled into a report of 2000 words accompanied by appropriate supporting material (e.g. illustrations, maps, catalogue entries).
• Formative assessment options vary between training components but comprise one of the following types of assessment: group presentations, essay or report plans, annotated bibliographies, practical tests, computer tests, practical assignments.
• Research is embedded into the teaching of this module through the expertise of the lecturers and tutors. The examples and topics chosen within the curriculum will derive from the specialist research interests of the staff teaching the module. Students explore the processes by which knowledge is produced and presented, and develop skills in those processes.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment options vary between training components but comprise one of the following types of assessment: group presentations, essay and report plans, annotated bibliographies, practical tests, computer tests, practical assignments. In each case these will aid students in preparation for the the summative assignment.

■ 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