Researching Heritage Online
| Module title | Researching Heritage Online |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARCM015Z |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Oliver Creighton (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This module covers aspects of the historic heritage environment, understood in a broad sense, and is taught online through 10 digital units available via the module ELE. It covers websites, databases and digital resources dealing with archaeology and heritage that are produced and maintained by government agencies, local authorities, museums and scholarly organisations, as well as some select commercially available resources accessible through a University of Exeter IT account.
You will be invited to look at a range of these resources, and to explore the web to find others of interest archaeologically. There is now such a huge number of websites and web-based information sources that no one can keep up with them all; what is essential is to establish which ones are reliable (and for what reason), and to work out criteria for assessing the utility of such resources. This will form the major part of the assessments which you will undertake for this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to guide you through the principal sorts of internet-based information available for those working and researching in the professional and academic sectors of archaeology and heritage, especially in the UK. It will introduce you to key online resources for researching aspects of the historic environment, with particular emphasis on archaeological sites, artefacts and landscapes. Assessments will encourage you to think critically about these sources of information and their applications.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Show knowledge of the key online resources and specialist web-pages used in contemporary archaeology and heritage management
- 2. Develop to a high level communication skills pertinent to archaeology and heritage using digital media
- 3. Question and critically evaluate the means of communicating information and ideas within the field through the internet
- 4. Develop to a high level skills in the on-line organisation and presentation of archaeological and heritage research
- 5. Present information, for a variety of purposes, using electronic media and thereby demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge much of which is at the forefront of the discipline
- 6. Communicate clearly to specialist audiences using appropriate information technologies
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Write technical prose to a high level using appropriate house styles and terminologies
- 8. Demonstrate an ability to constructively critique academic work and related resources
- 9. Communicate ideas clearly through a variety of electronic media to peer audiences
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks according to deadlines
- 11. Develop the ability to receive and act on feedback and constructive academic criticism
- 12. Exhibit individual initiative and originality in tackling problems
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
• Online Archaeology (ADS, CBA etc.)
• Communicating research (PowerPoint and other programmes)
• Library resources, bibliographies and catalogues
• Online archives
• National monuments databases (Pastscape, Canmore, Coflein)
• National archives; local records offices
• Local and regional databases
• Heritage online: virtual museums, virtual tours
• On-line mapping (Digimap, MAGIC etc.)
• Aerial photography and remote sensing online (Google Earth etc.)
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 145 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 5 | Weekly 30 minute online support sessions |
| Scheduled learning and teaching (fieldtrip) | 145 | A series of 10 online study modules linked to relevant resources on the internet. You will be supported by the designated tutor through email contact and online discussion |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-line tasks in course materials | Various | 1-12 | Verbal |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written critique of website(s) | 50 | 2000 words | 1-12 | Written feedback |
| Analytical study of a database or archive | 50 | 2000 words | 1-12 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written critique of website(s) | Written critique of website(s) 2000 words | 1-12 | Referral/deferral period |
| Analytical study of a database or archive | Analytical study of a database or archive 2000 words | 1-12 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. 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.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Daly, P. 2004: Digital Archaeology: Bridging Method and Theory. London: Routledge.
- Watrall, E. and Goldstein, L. 2022: Digital Heritage and Archaeology in Practice: Presentation, Teaching, and Engagement. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida.
- Internet Archaeology (online journal)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- Archaeology Data Service: https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk
- Heritage Gateway: https://heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 25/03/2025 |
