Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module ARCH43560: Dissertation (MA Archaeology)

Department: Archaeology

ARCH43560: Dissertation (MA Archaeology)

Type Open Level 4 Credits 60 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap

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

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • 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.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • 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.
Key Skills:
  • 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

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lecture 2 Term 2 2 hours 4
Seminar 1 Term 3 2 hours 2
Tutorials 8 Varies, Apr-Aug 1 hour 8
Preparation & Reading 586
Total 600

Summative Assessment

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

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