Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module ARCH43360: Dissertation (Forensic Archaeology & Anthropology)

Department: Archaeology

ARCH43360: Dissertation (Forensic Archaeology & Anthropology)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 60 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap None.
Tied to F4KE09

Prerequisites

  • ARCH43030 - Research Skills in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology, ARCH51630 - Osteoprofiling, ARCH42930 - Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology: Theory and Practice

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To ensure that students have the opportunity to engage in research, practising, developing and demonstrating research skills in a particular facet of the subject.

Content

  • Under guidance of the assigned dissertation supervisor, students will cover the following:
  • familiarisation with published literature on a specific topic
  • development of a research design
  • data collection; evaluation and drawing of conclusions. Data may derive from fieldwork, library or laboratory
  • writing and presenting a dissertation of up to 15,000 words in a manner and format appropriate to the subject area

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students will show in-depth knowledge of forensic archaeological and anthropological theory, methodology and practice in their specialist topic, demonstrating critical awareness and understanding of their research in the wider setting of forensic science.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students will demonstrate familiarity with published literature relevant to the subject, be able to gather data and critically evaluate findings.
Key Skills:
  • The ability to collect and analyse relevant forensic archaeological and anthropological materials and/or data, draw relevant conclusions and to present these in an appropriate form.

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

  • The planning of research and dissertation outline is discussed in a lecture as part of ARCH43030. Students will present their dissertation design in class and will receive feedback. Subsequently, tutorials on a one-to-one basis will give further guidance. Students are asked to submit a formative research design of 1500 words. Students receive written feedback on this and it will inform first supervision meeting. The summative assessment is a 15,000 word dissertation, which is original research.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Supervision Meetings 5 As arranged with supervisor during Term 3 and summer 1 hour 5
Preparation & Reading 593
Oral Presentation Once in Term 3 2 hours 2
Total 600

Summative Assessment

Component: Dissertation Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Dissertation 15,000 words 100%%

Formative Assessment:

Research design 1,500 words - feedback will be given


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