Dissertation in Experimental Archaeology
| Module title | Dissertation in Experimental Archaeology |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARCM105 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 60 |
| Module staff | Professor Linda Hurcombe (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
The Experimental Archaeology dissertation is a self-contained study of 15,000 words based on your own research, counting for 60 credits. It offers you the chance to undertake research and present the results at greater length than you have had in other parts of your course. You will need to work out a topic to study, in conjunction with a potential supervisor, and to establish how you will set about answering the questions posed (i.e. a methodology). The choice of topic is your own; it is important to choose something that offers good possibilities for developing an independent piece of work. While there is no requirement that the topic is ‘original’, in the sense that a PhD must be original, it must obviously not be something where you can simply copy from a few basic texts. You need to work out your own approach; we encourage you to collect and analyse your own data in the field or the laboratory, though library-based studies are also possible.
The work on the dissertation is designed to enable you to develop your skills at individual work within a research framework. You will learn how to collect and collate information from a range of sources, to analyse and present published or unpublished data, to develop skills relating to illustration, and to create hypotheses about the data based on your analysis. The completed work should be a well-written study of the topic under discussion, with illustrations of high quality and a fully developed bibliography.
Module aims - intentions of the module
To pursue an individual programme of research applying appropriate principles and methodologies to a case-study approved by the relevant programme director. If you are taking the MSc in Experimental Archaeology, you must choose a topic within the relevant field.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate self-direction in the collating of information from disparate archaeological sources
- 2. Demonstrate a practical understanding of established techniques and archaeological methodologies
- 3. Analyse and integrate primary and published data, and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses and conclusions
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. To assimilate and critically analyse published/unpublished and field data
- 5. Present a clearly structured, well written and appropriately illustrated dissertation
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Research a topic as an independent individual
- 7. Adhere to deadlines
Syllabus plan
Spring Term: one session introducing the requirements and scope of the dissertation, and one tutorial or online discussion session discussing an outline proposal.
Summer Term and Vacation (times dependent on availability of supervisors during the summer): three tutorials giving specific advice on research topic and monitoring progress, either in person or remotely (online, by phone, or e-mail).
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 594 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 6 | Introductory tutorial and group discussion to support the initiation of the project during the Spring term. Three tutorials to support the pursuit of the project during the Summer term and vacation. These will be in person, by online methods, email or phone. |
| Guided independent study | 594 | Independent study researching and preparing for dissertation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research design | 500 words | All | Verbal |
| Initial bibliography | 500 words | All | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100 | 15000 words | All | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Dissertation | All | 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
- Baxter, L., Hughes, C. & Tight, M. 1996: How to research. Buckingham: Open University Press.
- Bell, J. 1993: Doing your research project. Buckingham: Open University Press.
- Creswell, J.W. 1994: Research design: qualitative and quantitative methods. London: Sage.
- Flick, U. 1998: An introduction to qualitative research. London: Sage.
- Hurcombe, L. 2017 (in press): The breadth and scale of experimental archaeology. EXARC/OPENREACH: Leiden.
- O'Connor, M. & Woodford, F.P. 1975: Writing scientific papers in English. Oxford: Association of Scientific Publishers.
- Outram, A. 2005: Publishing archaeological experiments: a quick guide for the uninitiated. euroREA 2: 2005: 1-3.
- Parsons, T. & Knight, P.G. 1995: How to do your dissertation in geography and related disciplines. London: Chapman & Hall.
- Rudestam, K.E. & Newton, R.R. 1992: Surviving your dissertation. London: Sage.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 60 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 30 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 31/05/2012 |
| Last revision date | 19/08/2020 |
