Course director: Dr Kate Giles
The MA in Buildings Archaeology is one of the most respected and well-established postgraduate courses offering specialist training in the recording, analysis and interpretation of historic buildings. The course is designed to offer a resonably flexible learning pathway for those within the profession, seeking to enhance existing skills and develop a specialism in buildings archaeology, or for students or independent scholars who have become interested in buildings during their undergraduate course, and wish to develop this specialism further. The Department of Archaeology at York was one of the first to specialise in the buildings archaeology, and it continues to develop and update the course in the light of changing legislation and policy, and new technological developments in the recording and modelling of historic buildings. Many of the alumni of the course now hold leading positions in the field, icnluding the IFA Buildings Archaeology Group committee.
The MA at York draws on the researach interests and practical expertise of several staff.
- Kate Giles: specialises in buildings archaeology and historical archaeology. She has published monographs and articles on medieval and post-medieval buildings and is the York Minster Archaeological Research Fellow.
- Peter Gouldsborough: the Director of the Conservation (Buildings) MA, an exprienced conservation architect with research interests in the use and conservation of historic building materials.
- Anthony Masinton: is the Department's Computing Officer, specialising in buildings survey, CAD and 3-d modelling and with research interests in a wider range of building types, partticularly medieval churches.
- Ben Gourley: is the Department's Experimental Officer, specialising in survey, and with research interests in historic buildings in Greece.
- Jane Grenville: set up the course 15 years ago, with research interests in medieval buildings and conservation issues. Extensive experience with the CBA and as an English Heritage Commissioner. Still involved with the course in an advisory and supervisory capacity and from Autumn 2007, a PVC for the University.
Elements of the course are taught by experts from the profession, including structural engineering (Frank Clough), conditions surveys (Geoff Maybank, Ryder and Dutton).
The MA is structured around two 20 credit 'signature' modules which deal with the analysis (Autumn) and interpretation (Spring) of historic buildings. These modules provide basic introductions to visual and stratigraphic analysis, phasing, legislation and policy as well as a basic introduction to the history of architecture in the UK and current research issues, from c.1000-1900. In each term, students then choose another cognate MA signature module, usually drawn from Conservation (Historic Buildings), Cultural Resource Management, Historical or Medieval Archaeology or Field or Landscape Archaeology. Finally, during the Autumn and the Spring terms, stduents also take four skills or theory modules, which include buildings survey and CAD and may also include 3d modelling, GIS, Conservation practice and others.
Teaching is delivered via a combination of lectures, seminars and practicals, where students are encouraged to develop their skills is articulating and presenting their ideas in a professional manner. Essays for each module provide students with the chance to develop academic research and writing skills. Feedback is provided for all contributions in a supportive, encouraging and friendly environment, allowing each student to reflect and enhance their performance throughout the course.
The course befits from the presence in York of various organisations interested in the significance, recording, analysis and conservation of historic buildings, including English Heritage's metric survey unit and architectural investigation teams and Inspectors, the Council for British Archaeology, the Historic Buidlings survey unit of Field Archaeology Specialists and York Archaeological Trust, as well as local conservation officers and panels, and York's Civic Trust and Conservation Trust. In addition, the city's rich fabric of historic buildings present an unrivalled resource for the study of buildings. All of this provides students with a wealth of opportunities to gain practical experience and often, future employment, within the sector. The course now has a wide network of prospective employers, who frequently contact us to enquire about suitable employees, during the course of the year.
Last updated by KFG; September 2008