UNIVERSITY OF YORK

TEACHING COMMITTEE

Programme Specifications

1 Programme title(s) covered by this specification MSc in Coastal Prehistory

2 Name(s) of final award(s) MSc in Coastal Prehistory

3 Awarding body/institution University of York

4 Teaching institution (if different)

5 UCAS code (where relevant) N/A

6 Criteria for admission to the programme

A good honours degree (upper second or first) or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution in archaeology or a related field, or in the case of mature students who might not have conventional qualifications appropriate relevant experience. Applicants are normally interviewed before an offer is made (except in the case of overseas students).

7 Length and status of programme and mode of study 1 year (full-time); 2-3 years (part-time).

8 Proposed starting date (month and year; for new programmes only) October 2007

9 Relevant subject benchmark statement(s) N/A

10 Accreditation (if applicable) N/A

11 Educational aims of the programme

To provide:

· Knowledge of the discipline of Coastal Prehistory in a range of prehistoric contexts and a worldwide perspective

· Critical understanding of the key issues and debates

· Critical awareness of a wide variety of published work

· Skills in analysing, evaluating and presenting arguments

· Practical skills relevant to the discipline

12 Programme structure

The programme contains the following elements:

Four skills/theory modules: 5 credits each (2 in Autumn Term, 2 in Spring Term, 4 weeks each), selected from a range suggested by the Director of Studies.

Two compulsory modules of 20 credits each:

Coastal settlement (Autumn Term)

Coastal landscapes (Spring Term)

Two option modules of 20 credits each from those offered by cognate programmes. It is recommended that the choice is made from the following options, but other options will be considered with the permission of the Director of Studies:

The dissertation (80 credits): workshops and supervised independent study undertaken during the Summer Term and Summer Vacation. Dissertation workshops will be given through the Summer Term. Students will also have to give a lecture, usually on their dissertation topic, which will contribute to the dissertation mark.

Part time structure: Students normally complete one term per year over a three-year period.

13 Intended learning outcomes, distinguishing those which are assessed, in terms of:

(a) Knowledge

i) Research methods appropriate to coastal prehistory

ii) Sources of information pertinent to the study of coastal prehistory

iii) Key debates in coastal prehistory through the use of an international range of case studies

(b) Understanding

i) Strengths and weaknesses of archaeological evidence and the critical assessment of primary sources

ii) Fundamental concepts, techniques, and current debates relevant to the chosen subject areas

(c) Skills (discipline-related and transferable)

i) Ability to plan, design and undertake a piece of independent research

ii) Ability to acquire and integrate information from a variety of sources

iii) Analytical skills in processing information relating to the field of study

(d) Experience and other attributes

i) Participation in seminar discussions

ii) Presentation of seminars

iii) Guided research

iv) Participation in research seminar and visiting speaker programmes

v) Involvement in Graduate School Board

Items listed under (d) are not subject to assessment.

14 Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes

The research skills, training and theory modules are delivered by lectures, workshops and seminars. They will be assessed through short projects or essays and will be awards a pass/fail. Students must pass all r research skills modules.

All compulsory and optional modules are delivered through seminars, lectures and/or practical or field exercises. For each module there will be a piece of formative assessment half way through the term and each module is assessed by a summative essay or project at the end of term and is worth 10%.

Learning outcomes achieved: a) i-iii; b) i-ii; c) ii-iii.

The Dissertation (50%) is supported by small-group workshops in the Summer Term, in which students present and discuss the progress of their work and learn to respond constructively to their peers. The sessions involve information sharing, critical evaluation, problem solving and teamwork. Students also receive individual supervision with their supervisor. The dissertation should be based on original research and is 15,000–20,000 words in length.

Learning outcome: c) i (although all other learning experiences contribute to a successful dissertation)

15 Variations and exceptions:

Students registered for the MSc in Coastal prehistory may transfer their registration to a nine-month Diploma course. Students cannot register initially for the Diploma route, but may transfer to it, or be recommended by the Graduate School Board to transfer to it, either after the first term or, more usually, after the second term. Students are thus expected to follow the taught modules designated for the MA/MSc programme for which they initially registered, but may take a divergent path in the third term. In order to be awarded a Diploma (120 credits), students must complete the Autumn and Spring Terms and take the Lecture module in the Summer Term (20 credits), which is assessed by a lecture and extended essay.

By completion of the programme, students following the Diploma route should have:

· Followed a general programme in postgraduate research principles, methods and skills;

· Received tuition (lectures, seminars, practicals, visits etc.) at Masters level in their chosen subject area;

· Developed their ability to acquire information, write essays, and practise skills appropriate to their chosen subject area, including specialisation in a topic of their own choosing.

16 Quality and standards:

Methods of monitoring teaching standards include: supervisions, evaluation forms, Graduate School Board and Board of Studies representation, Peer Observation of Teaching, External Examination.

Departments carry out an Annual Department Review, monitored by a member of University Teaching Committee, and which reports to Teaching Committee. Teaching Committee has implemented a process of periodic review on a six-yearly cycle, to facilitate the exchange of views on the planning, organisation and development of teaching, and the sharing of good practice.

17 Date on which this programme specification written or revised: 27 June 2007

18 Other sources of information relating to this programme specification

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of this programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expect to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information and guidance concerning administration and assessment can be found in the Department’s postgraduate web pages (http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/arch/gsp/internal.htm).