Department of Archaeology

University of York

 

Programme Specification

 

1          Programme title(s) covered by this specification MA in Historical Archaeology

2          Name(s) of final award(s) MA in Historical Archaeology

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. Non-graduateapplications will be considered from those with three years practical experience related to aspects of historical archaeology. Applicants are normally interviewed before an offer is made.

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) N/A

9          Relevant subject benchmark statement(s) N/A

10        Accreditation (if applicable) N/A

11                Educational aims of the programme

  • To provide students with a knowledge of archaeological evidence from the Historic or Post-medieval period (c. 17 th-20 th centuries AD) and with an understanding of its modes of interpretation, particularly in Britain and North America.
  • To provide the opportunity to gain a general acquaintance with leading themes, types of evidence and methods of interpretation, and detailed understanding of selected areas/periods, which might become the springboard for further research.
  • To provide a learning and research opportunity for students whose previous experience is either of archaeology or anthropology but not primarily that of the historic period, or of the early modern and modern world but not archaeology.

 

12                Programme structure

 

The programme contains the following elements:

 

Four skills/theory modules: 5 credits each (2 in autumn, 2 in spring terms, 4 weeks each module). Selected from range suggested by the Director of Studies.

 

Two compulsory modules of 20 credits each:

Issues in Historical Archaeology 1 (Autumn term)

Issues in Historical Archaeology 2 (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:

 

Autumn:

Bones: Matters of Life and Death

Digital Publications and web technologies

Cultural Heritage Management I: concepts, principles and practice

Analysing Historic Buildings

Philosophical approaches to conservation

The context and practice of gathering field archaeology data

Concepts of Landscape

Vikings

 

Spring:

Analysis and Visualisation

Bones: from data to interpretation

Interpreting Historic Buildings

Conservation solutions

Cultural Heritage Management 2: Museums, audiences and interpretation

Themes in Historical Landscapes

Medieval Settlement and communities

The analysis, interpretation and dissemination of field archaeology data

Late Medieval Settlement and Society

 

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 the first and second term as taught courses and the dissertation in the second year, or one term per year over three years.

 

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

(a)         knowledge

  1. the broad range of issues in historical archaeology at a general level;
  2. current research agendas in the subject;
  3. selected topics, using material from both Britain and North America.
(b)         understanding
  1. use of general research principles and skills to studies of historical archaeology in particular;
  2. how the acquisition and processing of primary data affects interpretation in historical archaeology.
  3. the application of theoretical issues and debates to research.

 

(c)          skills (discipline-related and transferable)

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

ii)             ability to gather and organise information and arguments in a critical and independent manner;

iii)           Develop presentational skills through the delivery of a short lecture on any topic in medieval archaeology.

 

(d)         experience and other attributes

i)        Participated in seminar discussions

ii)       Undertaken seminar and lecture presentation;

iii)     Guided research

iv)     Participation in research seminar and visiting speakers 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 awarded a pass/fail. Students must pass all 4 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.

 

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 team work. 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 MA in Historical Archaeology, 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 to 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 an 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 documented review of all taught programmes, including consideration of student feedback and the reports of external examiners, reporting to the Teaching Committee. Teaching Committee is implementing a process of periodic review on a six-yearly cycle, which will complement its existing scheme of departmental visits 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 8th January 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 Departments postgraduate web pages (http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/arch/gsp/internal.htm).