Archaeological Fieldschool
| Module title | Archaeological Fieldschool |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARC2004 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Alan Outram (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
This module will provide you with practical experience of field archaeology work, giving you significant practical experience of archaeological fieldwork (excavation or survey) on a project run by the department. As a fieldschool, the experience will include onsite training and continuous assessment of your field and general work skills. This practical experience will provide invaluable employability skills, particularly for those pursuing archaeological careers. You will work as part of a team on a real research project. Some fieldschools are in the UK and others abroad. You should have taken ARC1010 Themes in world archaeology and ARC1020 Essential archaeological methods or equivalent modules in year one in order to successfully complete this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide practical experience of field archaeology work, giving basic practical competence in associated techniques, recording methods and interpretation issues. Students will gain an understanding of how methods studied at level 1 are put into practice to meet the aims of a particular 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 archaeological
- 2. Understand how the methods studied at level 1 are put into practice to meet the aims of a particular archaeological project
- 3. Demonstrate basic competence in various practical archaeological techniques
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Use appropriate archaeological terminology
- 5. Prepare primary data (under guidance) and deploy information from technical projects
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Write a basic report, deploying visual and written material
- 7. Interpret a variety of information forms and synthesise data from disparate sources
- 8. Put what they have learned into a broader context and reflect upon the success of methods in meeting aims
- 9. Work in a team, within a hierarchical 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 workshops:
- Briefing on the module contents and nature of assessments.
- Workshop on approaches to designing archaeological field research
- Workshop to provide assistance with project writing
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 165 | 135 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 160 | Archaeological Fieldschool (approximately four working weeks) |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 5 | 3 workshops. A short introductory one, and two more substantial ones involving some lecture content and online discussion supported by online materials. |
| Guided independent study | 135 | Independent study |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 0 | 50 |
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 | Four week field school | 1-5, 7-9 | Mark and written comments |
| Project relating to the conduct of field research | 50 | 3500 words | 1-8 | 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 | Not re-assessable; see pre-requisite | 1-5, 7-9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Project | Project (3500 words) | 1-8 | 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
- Aston, M. (1985). Interpreting the Landscape.London: Batsford.
- Barker, P. (1982). Techniques of Archaeological Excavation.London: Batsford.
- Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. (2012). Archaeology: Theories Methods and Practice (6 th Ed.)London: Thames andHudson.
- Roskams, S. (2001) Excavation.Cambridge: CUP.
- 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. Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. (1991). Archaeology: Theories Methods and Practice. London: Thames and Hudson.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | ARC1010 and ARC1020; four-week fieldschool attendance |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 2010 |
| Last revision date | 27/10/2020 |
