Advanced Fieldschool
| Module title | Advanced Fieldschool |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARC3006A |
| Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Stephen Rippon (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
Through this module you will develop advanced fieldwork skills and have an opportunity to make an individual contribution to an excavation, demonstrating that you are capable of working competently with a lower level of supervision, compared to the Level 2 Fieldschool. In some circumstances you may also support other fieldschool participants, and/or have oversight of a particular activity such as site recording, finds processing, or public engagement. This module is only available if you attend one of the University of Exeter Fieldschools that occur during the summer vacation.
You cannot take this module and ARC3006.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will provide advanced practical experience of field archaeology for students who have already gained basic competence of field techniques.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Gain advanced competence in various practical archaeological techniques
- 2. Use appropriate archaeological terminology
- 3. Prepare primary data and deploy information from technical projects
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Write a technical report, deploying visual and written material
- 5. Interpret a variety of information forms and synthesise data from disparate sources
- 6. Critically assess the broader context of a project and reflect upon the success of the methods used in meeting aims
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Fulfil the role of an experienced member of a team within a hierarchical structure, and co-operate with and learn from peers
- 8. Experience a range of practical skills which have relevance in the wider world
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some the following:
- At least 3 weeks fieldwork on a University of Exeter Fieldschool.
- A group seminar designed to allow students to discuss and reflect upon their experiences.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 37 | 111 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Placement (fieldwork) | 111 | Practical experience under supervision on a University Fieldschool |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 2 | One x 2 hour seminar |
| Guided independent study | 37 | Independent study to include preparation for writing report |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous feedback on field skills (performance, attitude, team skills) | Continuous feedback on field skills (performance, attitude, team skills) | 1-2,7-8 | Oral (over the course of the Fieldschool) |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous assessment of field skills (performance, attitude, team skills) | 50 | Attendance of Fieldschool | 1-2,7-8 | Mark and written comments |
| Report | 50 | 2000 words | 2-6 | Mark and written comments |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous assessment of field skills (performance, attitude, team skills) | Not-reassessable | 1,2,7,8 | n/a |
| Fieldwork report | 4000 words maximum | 2-6 | Ref/Def period |
Re-assessment notes
If you fail the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) or if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will be re-assessed for field skills via a new assessment to be submitted for the August refer/defer period:
- A 4000 word Fieldwork report
The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Aston, M. (1985). Interpreting the Landscape. London: Batsford.
- Barker, P. (1982). Techniques of Archaeological Excavation. London: Batsford.
- Bettess, F. (1990). Surveying for Archaeologists. Durham: University of Durham.
- Bowden, M. (1999) Unravelling the Landscape (Stroud).
- Drewett, P. (1999) Field Archaeology: An Introduction. London: UCL
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | Must have completed both ARC2003 and ARC2004 |
| Module co-requisites | Cannot be taken with ARC3006. |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 24/01/2018 |
| Last revision date | 19/03/2020 |
