Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module ARCH40160: FIELD PROJECTS

Department: Archaeology

ARCH40160: FIELD PROJECTS

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 60 Availability Not available in 2023/24 Module Cap
Tied to F4K007

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To give students the opportunity to engage in the survey of archaeological or historical landscapes and structures, enabling them to practice, develop and demonstrate their surveying, visualisation, analytical and interpretation skills.

Content

  • The nature of the work undertaken in this module will vary, depending on the types of site and survey chosen by the student. It is intended that there will be limited intervention from members of staff, but the module tutor will arrange supervisory meetings, and be available to offer advice.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • How to make decisions about which approaches and techniques are appropriate to the investigation of a site structure
  • How to process the data derived from site surveys and interpret the results in terms of their archaeological meaning
  • The ability to understand the significance of a site and discuss this in the context of its region and period
Subject-specific Skills:
  • The ability to organize a campaign of fieldwork
  • The ability to deploy sophisticated instruments in the field
  • The ability to negotiate access to archaeological sites with landowners, tenants and official bodies
Key Skills:
  • The ability to write and present reports which demonstrate an understanding of both the application of techniques and the archaeological value of the information which has been obtained.

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

  • By the time they take this module students will have undertaken a range of formal teaching in the form of lectures, practicals and supervised fieldwork. This module gives an opportunity for them to practice and develop the skills they have learned with a minimum of supervision. The students will undertake two surveys of archaeological sites, structures or landscapes, and a report on each site will be produced to professional standards. At least one report must include a discussion of the site in the broader context of its place in the archaeology of its region and period.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures
Tutorials 5 5
Seminars
Practicals
Fieldwork 135
Preparation & Reading 460
Other:
Total 600

Summative Assessment

Component: Practical Portfolio Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Practical Portfolio containing survey data, analysis and publication-quality reports on two sites Max. 80 pages 100%

Formative Assessment:

Two project designs (one per site) of not more than 1500 words each


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