Professional Skills Portfolio in Archaeology
| Module title | Professional Skills Portfolio in Archaeology |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARCM014 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Linda Hurcombe (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This module allows you to pursue a portfolio of specialist skills interests in Archaeology. It will be particularly suitable for students who wish to explore skills in more depth than is offered within existing taught modules. You are presented with potential skills projects by staff but can also devise your own skills projects or placement projects subject to approval by a member of staff. These could be to enhance your skills for future research or industry relevant professional skills. For example, artefact technologies or study techniques, reference collection work, assemblage analysis, fieldwork skills, digital 3D scanning techniques, GIS, SHArD lab projects, RICHeS facility projects.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In conjunction with archaeology staff you will define skills sets that will enhance your employability and research skills. These can be chosen from a variety of project opportunities making use of the expertise and facilities in archaeology and the broader professional context. You may also be able to devise your own skills research project or skills placement project subject to approval by a member of staff. The projects undertaken could be used to enhance your skills for future research and employability.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate originality in identifying opportunities for a subject specific development of skills and methods.
- 2. Demonstrate a practical understanding of specific fields of work within archaeology
- 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the abilities and methodological framework of the skills project in hand, dealing with complex concepts systematically and creatively within acknowledged ethical, safety and conservation boundaries
- 4. Assimilate and integrate experience of professional archaeological practice in replication, the work-place, lab or field as appropriate
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Critically evaluate and reflect on observations from activities, fieldwork, artefacts, samples and collections as appropriate
- 6. Deploy appropriate skills and equipment to analyse material and data
- 7. Present a clearly-structured, well-written and appropriately illustrated report.
- 8. Consult with and respond to criticism from peers, professional archaeologists and lecturers as appropriate
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Undertake research as an independent individual, within or outside existing projects
- 10. Adhere to deadlines
Syllabus plan
Not applicable – but you must agree placements and projects with the convenor.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 295 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Seminar: | 1 | Briefing meeting |
| Workshop: | 2 | Reports, records, setting aims |
| Seminar | 2 | Presenting progress and troubleshooting |
| Guided independent study | 295 | Supported by the designated supervisor by meetings/email/phone as appropriate - You are expected to develop professional skills through: External or Internal Placement: this involves obtaining work experience in an appropriate organisation; this may include participation on an archaeological survey or excavation or craft activity that is of specific relevance to the field of study OR Professional skills project: this involves the furthering of one or more relevant archaeological techniques. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presenting progress | Draft structure of write up including a skills development table, sample records, ppt slides, objects, as appropriate. Ongoing throughout the module. | 1-6, 8-10 | Oral feedback: from convenor and peers via interactive discussions as part of a placement or with academic staff supervising the project. |
| Draft structure of the final report | Abstract; table of contents; some brief bullet points may be included. | 1-6, 8-10 | Oral feedback: interactive discussions as part of a placement or with academic staff supervising the project. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project portfolio - Project report Written assignment to comprise the project report and critical evaluation, designed to illustrate the nature and range of skills deployed, the degree of success achieved and the ability to analyse own performance. | 100 | Max 4,000 word - Critical reflection + skills development table; images of objects/skills etc Or can include the project report written for the professional context + supporting skills development table and critical reflection | 1-10 | Written feedback |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project portfolio (Max 4,000 word Critical reflection + skills development table) | Project portfolio (Max 4,000 word Critical reflection + skills development table) | 1-10 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
• Varies depending on subject chosen
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | 60 credits of level M archaeology modules |
| Module co-requisites | none but this module may not be taken together with ARCM005 |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 02/02/2025 |
| Last revision date | 02/04/2025 |
