Special Topic in Archaeology 1

Code

CLAR4011

School

Classics and Archaeology

Level

4

Credits

20

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

This module aims to provide in depth coverage of a topic selected jointly by the specialist member of staff and the students concerned. It is designed to meet the needs of postgraduate students for study tailored to their specific requirements, and will be particularly useful for students intending to proceed to doctoral research.

Target Students

Only MReS Archaeology, MRes Archaeological Science, Natural Science Level 4 students or to subsidiary and exchange Level 4 students with appropriate knowledge of archaeology or archaeological science

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks

1 x 2-hour lecture per week; 1 x 1-hour seminar, workshop or lab session per week, or as instructed by the seminar leader

Assessment

• 100% Coursework 1: 5,000-word coursework, project or lab report

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:

By the end of the module, students should have a solid grasp of the history of research and its latest state in a specialised area of archaeology. They will have considered the recovery, analysis and interpretation of archaeological remains, and the use of such evidence in current archaeological debates. Knowledge and understanding will be assessed by one 5,000-word piece of coursework (essay, project or lab report) in which the student should aim to achieve the level of a professional research paper. This will lay the foundations in terms of knowledge and understanding for anyone proposing to pursue doctoral research. 
 

Intellectual Skills:

This module requires that students formulate and support written arguments relating to methodological and theoretical debates in advanced archaeological research. Seminars with assigned reading will provide an opportunity for students to express their views and take part in debate.

Professional or Practical Skills:

students will develop the skill of evaluating the reliability and plausibility of interpretation in research papers, and be encouraged to produce fresh insight and original ideas. They will improve their ability to present coherent, thoroughly researched and persuasive argument at specialist level.

Transferable (Key) Skills:

Students will further develop their ability to navigate complex and controversial issues, both verbally and in written form.

Conveners

• Dr Chrysanthi Gallou