Archaeological Fieldwork Project
| Module title | Archaeological Fieldwork Project |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARC2003 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Susan Greaney (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
This module will enable you to put into practice the knowledge you have gained in your first year (level 1 or equivalent). You will complete a 4-week placement in archaeology/museum/heritage work, allowing you to demonstrate and build on your practical competence in archaeological techniques, recording methods and interpretation issues. You will gain a further understanding of how methods previously studied are put into practice to meet the aims of your particular archaeological project.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide practical experience of field archaeology/museum/heritage work, giving basic practical competence in archaeological techniques, recording methods and interpretation issues. These workplace or excavation skills will be invaluable in future careers and will provide experience of archaeology both in the field and beyond (e.g. in post-excavation, conservation, public interpretation). You will consolidate methods learned at Level 1 and during fieldwork to research, design and plan your own hypothetical archaeological project.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of various techniques of practical archaeology/post-excavation tasks/museum or heritage-related work
- 2. Understand how the methods studied at level 1 are put into practice to meet the aims of a particular archaeological project
- 3. Gain experience of an excavation or museum/heritage work away from the department
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Use appropriate archaeological terminology
- 5. Undertake research into a specific archaeological site and plan an excavation project
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Write a comprehensive report, deploying visual and written material
- 7. Interpret a variety of information forms and synthesise data from disparate sources
- 8. Work in team structure, and co-operate with and learn from peers
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:
Workshops:
- Briefing on the module contents and nature of assessments
- Approaches to designing archaeological field research
- Advice on researching and setting up your individual field project
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 132 | 160 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | 160 | Four working weeks practical archaeological experience (excavation, museum or survey) |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 8 | Four workshops |
| Guided independent study | 132 | To include preparation for workshops and assessments. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark based upon feedback form from the project director/ manager regarding participation and practical performance | 50 | Four week field or museum experience | 1-4, 7-8 | Mark and written comment |
| Project design relating to the conduct of archaeological field research | 50 | 3,500 words | 1-2, 4-7 | Mark and written comment |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark based upon feedback form from the project director regarding participation and practical performance | Repeat four-week placement | 1-4, 7 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Project design relating to the conduct of archaeological field research | Project design relating to the conduct of archaeological field research (3,500 words) | 1-2, 4-7 | 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 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Carver, M. O. H. (2009) Archaeological Investigation. London: Routledge
- Collis, J. (2004) Digging up the past: an introduction to archaeological excavation. Sutton: Stroud.
- Drewett, P. (2011) Field archaeology: an introduction. London: Routledge.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11093
- See ‘Useful Resources’ for guidelines and websites relevant to project planning
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | June 2009 |
| Last revision date | 12/02/2024 |
