Module ARCH1061: ARCHAEOLOGY PRACTICALS*

Department: Archaeology

ARCH1061: ARCHAEOLOGY PRACTICALS*

Type	Tied	Level	1	Credits	20	Availability	Available in 2024/2025	Module Cap		Location	Durham

Tied to	F400
Tied to	F402
Tied to	VQ48
Tied to	F411

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• * All modules marked with this symbol form part of an Accredited CIfA pathway
• To provide a basic introduction to field and laboratory techniques for the recording and analysis of primary materials, sites and monuments, using group work wherever possible.

Content

• Basic introduction to and hands-on experience of a range of materials used in past societies (pottery and two others), together with lab tests.
• Field visits and excursions to sites and monuments in urban and rural contexts, to learn about recording of buildings, sites and monuments and about landscape appreciation.
• Training in basic techniques of looking at, understanding and interpreting archaeological sites and materials.
• An introduction to careers and employability, and development of commercial and industrial awareness.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the course, students will have improved their ability to function productively in a team and will have gained a basic understanding of: The properties of, and technologies associated with, pottery and a selection of two other materials.
• Some of the techniques of looking at, understanding, recording and interpreting archaeological sites and materials in an urban context and in a landscape context.
• An awareness of archaeological ethics, and health and safety and technical standards.
• Some of the ideas and concepts underlying the techniques to be used during their summer training excavation.

• Direct experience of practical archaeological work, both field related and in the study of artefacts and other materials.

• Gain direct experience and competence in a range of transferable skills.
• Apply technical and health and safety standards and archaeological ethics.
• Group work.
• Ascertain the procedures required to access information and ensure these are complied with.
• Analyse and assess the accuracy and completeness of data.
• Manage objectives and time.
• Operate safely and securely in the workplace.
• Researching and staying informed about key employers and jobs available in the student's field(s) of interest.
• Ability to make connections between subject-specific and transferable skills learned through coursework and the essential criteria requested in relevant job advertisements.

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

• The module is taught through a combination of lectures, practicals and fieldtrips/field visits.
• It is assessed through a series of assignments, which assess the student’s experience of a range of practical archaeological work.
• Lectures will ensure the effective communication of key information and theoretical ideas, supported by reading lists and written summaries of follow-up notes posted in the online teaching environment, enabling students to gain up-to-date knowledge, as well as guidance on further reading.
• Practical classes involve demonstrations and hands-on exercises using archaeological materials, undertaken in small to medium sized groups, or, where this is not possible, suitable virtual substitutes presented online.
• Fieldtrips involving visiting, experiencing and discussing archaeological sites and monuments in the landscape and archaeological collections in museums or, where this is not possible, suitable virtual substitutes presented online.
• Self-guided learning comprises personal study, research, revision and evaluation associated with classes and assignments; guided by lecturers, tutors and reading lists of specialist books, articles and web-sites.
• Research is embedded into the teaching of this module through the experience that students gain of the processes of research using each of the practical techniques that are taught and through the examples and topics chosen within the lecture component which derive from the specialist research interests of the staff.
• Lectures and seminars may consist of pre-recorded videos and/or live presentations from tutors, and integrate break-out discussions, study exercises and other learning activities as appropriate to the material covered from week to week.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	8	Fortnightly	1 Hour	8
Seminars	1	Once	1 Hour	1	■
Practicals	6	3 to 4 Per Term	3 Hours	18	■
Fieldtrips	2	1 in Term 1, 1 in Term 2	8 Hours	16	■
Excursions	2	Term 2	2 and 3 hours	5	■
Preparation and Reading				152
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Practical Assignments 100% (10% per session, from a selection of archaeological materials, techniques and sites covered by the ten practical sessions).

Component: Ten assignments		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Written assignment or multiple choice test accounting for 10% of the overall mark of the module, based on practical sessions, excursions, field trips.		10%
Written assignment or multiple choice test accounting for 10% of the overall mark of the module, based on practical sessions, excursions, field trips.		10%
Written assignment or multiple choice test accounting for 10% of the overall mark of the module, based on practical sessions, excursions, field trips.		10%
Written assignment or multiple choice test accounting for 10% of the overall mark of the module, based on practical sessions, excursions, field trips.		10%
Written assignment or multiple choice test accounting for 10% of the overall mark of the module, based on practical sessions, excursions, field trips.		10%
Written assignment or multiple choice test accounting for 10% of the overall mark of the module, based on practical sessions, excursions, field trips.		10%
Written assignment or multiple choice test accounting for 10% of the overall mark of the module, based on practical sessions, excursions, field trips.		10%
Written assignment or multiple choice test accounting for 10% of the overall mark of the module, based on practical sessions, excursions, field trips.		10%
Written assignment or multiple choice test accounting for 10% of the overall mark of the module, based on practical sessions, excursions, field trips.		10%
Written assignment or multiple choice test accounting for 10% of the overall mark of the module, based on practical sessions, excursions, field trips.		10%

Formative Assessment:

n/a

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■ 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