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MA/MSc Archaeological Research

Programme information:

• Introduction
• Course aims and objectives
• Programme specification MA
• Programme specification MSc

Module choices

Students undertaking the MA/MSc in Archaeological Research must choose a total of four modules (20 credits each) (taught both Autumn and Spring terms). These are chosen from the full list of Masters modules available in the department of Archaeology. All of the modules are chosen from the lists (below) of all modules provided by all of the Masters programmes running in the department. These choices are made after discussion with the student's supervisor. Some modules may not be available if numbers are too low.

Choice of Research Skills Modules MA in Archaeological Research

Students studying for the MA should also choose two research skills modules (5 credits each) (one in each of both autumn and spring terms for 4 weeks each, or both in the same term if necessary). A Language module (10 credits) should also be chosen: EITHER a modern language taught by the Language Teaching Centre, Language for All programme, weekly throughout the Autumn, Spring and first half of the Summer Term (levels 1-5 are available in a range of modern languages, including, for example, French, German, Italian) OR Medieval Latin, or Old English, or Old Norse, taught by the Centre for Medieval Studies weekly throughout the Autumn and Spring Terms.

Choice of Research Skills Modules MSc in Archaeological Research

Students studying for the MSc should also choose four research skills modules (5 credits each) (two in each of both autumn and spring terms for 4 weeks each).

Autumn Term

Main module (20 credits)


• Digital publication and web technologies
• Bones: matters of life and death
• Bioarchaeology, ecofacts and figures
• Evolving minds and societies
• Cultural Heritage Management 1: concepts, principles and practice
• Analysing Historic Buildings
• Philosophical approaches to conservation
• The context and practice of gathering field archaeology data
• Concepts of landscapes
• Issues in Historical Archaeology 1
• The Vikings
• Mesolithic theory and interpretation
• Coastal settlement

Research skills and training modules (5 credits) weeks 2-5

MA students - Choose ONE from the following two lists of modules (ONE in each of both the autumn and spring terms for 4 weeks each, or both in the same term if necessary):
MSc students - Choose TWO from the following two lists of modules (TWO in each of both the autumn and spring terms for 4 weeks each):

• Narrating our pasts
• Topographical Survey
• Working on the web
• Zooarchaeology: anatomy and identification
• Lime and Stone

Research skills and training modules (5 credits) weeks 6-9

• Artefacts
• Buildings Survey
• Database Design and implementation
• Geophysical Survey
• Introduction to biomolecules, invertebrates and plants
• Legislation and Policy

Spring Term

Main module (20 credits)
Choose one from the following list of modules:
• Analysis and visualisation
• Bones: from data to interpretation
• Bioarchaeology data analysis: not just digging up plants and animals
• Coastal Landscapes
• Cultural Heritage Management 2: Museums, audiences and interpretation
• Interpreting Historic Buildings
• Conservation solutions
• The analysis, interpretation and dissemination of field archaeology data
• Themes in the Historic Landscape
• Issues in Historical Archaeology 2
• Medieval Settlement and communities
• Themes in the Prehistoric Landscape
• Mesolithic lifeways
• Hunting and gathering societies


• Research skills and training modules (5 credits) weeks 2-5
  MA students - Choose ONE from the following two lists of modules (ONE in each of both the autumn and spring terms for 4 weeks each, or both in the same term if necessary):
  MSc students - Choose TWO from the following two lists of modules (TWO in each of both the autumn and spring terms for 4 weeks each):
  • Geoarchaeology
  • GIS
  • Debates in Museum Theory & Practice
  • Zooarchaeology: exploring the assemblage
  • Vernacular Buildings
  
  
• Research skills and training modules (5 credits) weeks 6-9
  • Human Bone Practicals
  • Virtual Reality Modelling
  • International Issues in Cultural Heritage Conservation
  • Perspectives in Landscape Research
  • Artefacts from Excavation

Summer Term

• Assessed lecture
• Dissertation

N.B. Whilst we endeavour to give everyone their first choice on modules, please note that this cannot always be guaranteed. Please be aware that certain skills modules are required by particular programmes and so some may be more over-subscribed than others.

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Information last updated by KJW, July 2009