Module ARCH43560: Dissertation (MA Archaeology)

Department: Archaeology

ARCH43560: Dissertation (MA Archaeology)

Prerequisites

Corequisites

• Research and Study Skills in Social Archaeology (ARCHNEW2) and Practical Research and Study Skills (ARCHNEW3)

Excluded Combination of Modules

Aims

• To engage students with practising, developing and demonstrating their research skills, based on an investigation of the published literature and the gathering of new data where appropriate, on a specific research topic in depth.

Content

• The student will, under the guidance of the assigned supervisor, develop a detailed research design, collect relevant data or information, evaluate it and draw appropriate conclusions. The work will be written and presented in a manner and format appropriate for a critical examination of the specified subject area, to publication quality.

Learning Outcomes

• The student will show a deep understanding of archaeological theory and methodology applied to the specialised dissertation topic, demonstrating a critical knowledge and understanding of the relationship of the research to the wider discipline of archaeology.

• The student will demonstrate the ability to collect and analyse relevant archaeological materials and/or data, including monuments where relevant, and to present these in a coherent form in the dissertation.

• Successful completion of the dissertation will demonstrate the ability to conduct independent study, research and problem solving, employ appropriate IT methods in its production and the appropriate use of library, museum, archive and www resources in the investigation of the research topic.

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

• The planning of research and the design of projects is discussed in a lecture and subsequently tutorials are held at key points in the development of the dissertation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Dissertation Proposal - 250 words Dissertation Plan and Progress Report - 1500 words

■ 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