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Study information

Advanced Fieldschool

Module titleAdvanced Fieldschool
Module codeARC3006A
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Susan Greaney (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

10

Number students taking module (anticipated)

12

Module description

Through this module you will develop advanced fieldwork skills and have an opportunity to make an individual contribution to a department-led excavation, demonstrating that you are capable of working competently with a lower level of supervision, compared to the Level 2 Fieldschool. In some circumstances you may also support other fieldschool participants, and/or have oversight of a particular activity such as site recording, finds processing, or public engagement. This module is only available if you attended one of the University of Exeter Fieldschools that occur during the summer vacation in a previous year.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will provide advanced practical experience of field archaeology for students who have already gained basic competence of field techniques. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

  • 1. Gain advanced competence in various practical archaeological techniques
  • 2. Use appropriate archaeological terminology and recording techniques
  • 3. Prepare primary data and deploy information from technical projects

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

  • 4. Write a technical report, deploying visual and written material
  • 5. Interpret a variety of information forms and synthesise data from disparate sources
  • 6. Critically assess the broader context of a project and reflect upon the success of the methods used in meeting aims

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

  • 7. Fulfil the role of an experienced member of a team within a hierarchical structure, and co-operate with and learn from peers
  • 8. Experience a range of practical skills which have relevance in the wider world

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some the following:

  • At least 3 weeks fieldwork on a University of Exeter Fieldschool.
  • A group seminar designed to allow students to discuss and reflect upon their experiences.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
228120

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Fieldwork experience120Practical experience under supervision on a University Fieldschool
Scheduled Learning and Teaching2One x 2 hour seminar
Guided independent study28Independent study to include preparation for writing report

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Continuous feedback on field skills (performance, attitude, team skills)Continuous feedback on field skills (performance, attitude, team skills)1, 2, 7-8Oral (over the course of the Fieldschool), mark and written feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
50500

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Continuous assessment of field skills (performance, attitude, team skills)50Attendance of fieldschool1, 2, 7-8Mark and written comments
Report503,000 words (max)2-6Mark and written comments

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Continuous assessment of field skills (performance, attitude, team skills)Not-reassessable1, 2, 7-8n/a
Fieldwork reportFieldwork report 3,000 words (max)1-8Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

 If you fail the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) or if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will be re-assessed for field skills via a new assessment to be submitted for the August refer/defer period:

  • A 3,000 word Fieldwork report

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. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • Cobb, H., Harris, O. J. T., Jones, C. and Richardson, P. (2012) Reconsidering Archaeological Fieldwork: Exploring On-Site Relationships Between Theory and Practice. New York: Springer.
  • Lucas, G. (2001) Critical Approaches to Fieldwork: Contemporary and Historical Archaeological Practice. London: Routledge.
  • Mytum, H. (ed) (2012) Global Perspectives of Archaeological Field Schools. New York: Springer.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Key words search

Archaeological excavation; survey; fieldwork; fieldschool

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

Must have completed ARC2004

Module co-requisites

Cannot be taken with ARC3006

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

24/01/2018

Last revision date

12/02/2024