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Study information

Professional Placement

Module titleProfessional Placement
Module codeARC3003
Academic year2022/3
Credits30
Module staff

Robert Morkot (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

8

Module description

You will work in a professional environment which may be a museum, county archaeological unit, or with a specific project. You will gain experience of the working environment and tasks associated with the institution. This module is specifically aimed at those who wish to pursue a career in archaeology and the heritage and cultural sector and have the relevant background and skills. The work is usually two days a week spread over two terms, although in some cases it is possible to work as a full block of time during the vacation. After training you will be expected to show initiative in planning and completing tasks.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will give experience of professional archaeological practice, requiring the deployment in the work-place, of skills and knowledge acquired at stages 1 and 2.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Accept responsibility for a project, clarifying the task and implementing it under guidance
  • 2. Demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on practical experiences gained and the impact they may have on your views and actions
  • 3. Produce a reflective project report using appropriate illustrations and diagrams

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. Complete a work report to employers specifications

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Prepare a CV and introduction letter to employer
  • 6. Time management in a workplace environment
  • 7. Negotiate the different types of working relationships with staff within the workplace, and others - directly or indirectly - relevant to the placement
  • 8. Develop / enhance practical work-based skills and experience

Syllabus plan

  • You arrange your own placements; the convenor can be contacted for support if needed. 
  • Post-placement workshop (end of term 2 in year 3): discussion of placement work and experience as a basis for preparation of reflective report.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
4136160

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Placement160160 hours of placement
Scheduled learning and teaching4Workshops
Guided independent study136Preparation for placement and production of assignments

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Employer's reference40Reference from employer1-2, 4-8Oral and written feedback
Written report503000 words1-4, 6-8Oral and written feedback
CV and letter of introduction10Up to 750 words5Oral and written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Employer’s referenceUnable to be reassessed1-4, 6-8Referral/Deferral period
Written reportWritten report (3000 words)1-2, 4-8Referral/Deferral period
CV and letter of introductionCV and letter of introduction up to 750 words5Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

It would not be possible to complete reassessment for the employer's reference.

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

  • Hunter, J. and Ralston, I. (eds) 1993: Archaeological Resource Management in the UK.
  • An Introduction. DOE 1990: Planning Policy Guidance: Archaeology and Planning (PPG 16). London. English Heritage 1999: Developing Frameworks: Policies for our Archaeological Past 1979-1999. London.
  • Grenville, J. (ed.) 1999: Managing the Historic Rural Landscape. London.
  • Griffiths, D. 1994: 'A field to the spoiler': a review of archaeological conservation on Dartmoor, in D. Griffiths (ed.), The Archaeology of Dartmoor: Perspectives from the 1990s, Proc. Devon Archaeol. Soc. 52, 271-286.
  • Rountree, F. 1998: Taking Stock of our Ecclesiastical Heritage. Pratt, L.V. & O'Keefe, P.J. 1984: Law and the Cultural Heritage

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Key words search

Archaeology, placement, practical, employability

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

60 Archaeology credits at level 2

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

2011

Last revision date

19/03/2020