• Home
• Study
• Study Information
• Modules
• Module Information

Researching the Historic Environment Online

Module description

This module covers aspects of the historic environment, understood in a broad sense, and is taught online through 12 units available in ELE.  It covers websites relating to government agencies, to local authorities and to museums, and catalogues and databases of various kinds that are publicly available, as well as looking at means of data collection through mapping and remote sensing (air photography and satellite imagery).

You will be invited to look at a range of these resources, and to explore the web to find others of interest archaeologically.  There is now such a huge number of websites and web-based information sources that no one can keep up with them all; what is essential is to establish which ones are reliable (and for what reason), and to work out criteria for assessing the utility of such resources.  This will form the major part of the assessments which you will undertake for this module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to guide you through the principal sorts of internet-based information available for those working and researching in the professional and academic sectors of archaeology and heritage, especially in the UK. It will introduce you to key online resources for researching aspects of the historic environment, with particular emphasis on archaeological sites, artefacts and landscapes. Assessments will encourage you to think critically about these sources of information and their applications, both in research and in the workplace. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Show knowledge of the key online resources and specialist web-pages used in contemporary archaeology
• 2. Develop to a high level communication skills pertinent to the discipline of archaeology using digital media
• 3. Question and critically evaluate the means of communicating information and ideas within the field through the internet
• 4. Develop to a high level skills in the on-line organisation and presentation of archaeological research
• 5. Present information, for a variety of purposes, using electronic media and thereby demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge much of which is at the forefront of the discipline
• 6. Communicate clearly to specialist audiences using appropriate information technologies

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 7. Write technical prose to a high level using appropriate house styles and terminologies
• 8. Demonstrate an ability to constructively critique academic work and related resources
• 9. Communicate ideas clearly through a variety of electronic media to peer audiences

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 10. Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks according to deadlines
• 11. Develop the ability to receive and act on feedback and constructive academic criticism
• 12. Exhibit individual initiative and originality in tackling problems

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:

• Online Archaeology (ADS, CBA etc.)
• Communicating research (PowerPoint and other programmes)
• Library resources, bibliographies and catalogues
• Online archives
• National monuments databases (Pastscape, Canmore, Coflein)
• National archives; local records offices
• Local and regional databases
• Heritage online: Virtual museums, Virtual tours
• On-line mapping (Digimap, MAGIC etc.)
• Aerial photography and remote sensing online (Google Earth etc.)

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

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

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

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

• Alley, M. 1996. The Craft of Scientific Writing. New York: Springer-Verlag
• Briscoe, M.H. 1996. Preparing Scientific Illustrations: A Guide to Better Posters, Presentations and Publications. New York: Springer-Verlag. 
• Daly, P. 2004: Digital Archaeology: Bridging Method and Theory. London: Routledge.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• Archaeology Data Service: https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk
• Heritage Gateway: https://heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/
• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11761