Programme Specification
BA Anthropology and Archaeology
Academic Year 2024/25
A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.
| Programme Title | BA Anthropology and Archaeology | Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) |
Bachelor of Arts | |||||||||||
| Programme Code | ANT-BA-JS | UCAS Code | LV64 | HECoS Code |
100299 - Archaeology - 50 100436 - Anthropology - 50 |
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| ATAS Clearance Required | No | |||||||||||||
| Mode of Study | Part Time or Full Time | |||||||||||||
| Type of Programme | Joint Honours Single | Length of Programme |
Part Time - 6 Academic Years Full Time - 3 Academic Years |
Total Credits for Programme | 360 | |||||||||
| Exit Awards available | No | |||||||||||||
Institute Information
Teaching Institution |
Queen's University Belfast |
School/Department |
History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics |
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Quality Code Higher Education Credit Framework for England |
Level 6 |
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Subject Benchmark Statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies |
Anthropology (2015) |
Accreditations (PSRB) |
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No accreditations (PSRB) found. | |
Regulation Information
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Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations N/A |
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Programme Specific Regulations Each level must include 60 CATS in Anthropology and 60 CATS in Archaeology. |
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Students with protected characteristics N/A |
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Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations (Please see General Regulations) No |
Educational Aims Of Programme
The programme is designed to provide students with training in Anthropology and Archaeology, two disciplines which, while discrete, are complementary and mutually enriching. Anthropology is concerned with key debates regarding culture and society, whilst Archaeology is concerned with a wide range of evidence that documents the human past –The strength and uniqueness of the joint programme lies in the promotion of mutually-enforcing skills.
On completion of the programme the student will be able to:
•delve into each discipline’s unique body of knowledge, subject matters, and research skills.
•promote an understanding of diversity across a range of cross-cultural fields, including kinship, economy, ecology, religion, gender, art, music and morality.
•encourage an engagement with the general methodological and theoretical approaches of anthropologists and archaeologists from social, cultural, political, economic, and gender perspectives.
•think critically outside the confines of their own culture, to cultivate the capacity to reflect upon social change and the interaction of cultures across time and space, and to situate localised experiences within wider global processes and international contexts.
•develop skills that enable them to evaluate a wide range of sources, including oral, visual, material, and written.
•develop the ability to research, gather, sift and deploy relevant information and concepts, while being able to understand, discriminate between, and evaluate critically conflicting theoretical and interpretative positions.
•promote self-motivated, independent learning, in addition to written outputs, emphasis is placed on creative tasks including digital and print media, and research projects in collaboration with academic and non-academic collectives and institutions.
The diverse and attractive skills developed on his programme will aid students in the pursuit of employment in a vast array of sectors within and outside the humanities.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information; and be familiar with appropriate means of identifying, finding, retrieving, sorting and exchanging information |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Coursework, tutorials, seminars, oral and poster presentations Methods of Assessment Essays, dissertations, independent projects |
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Analyse concepts and ideas, and have the capacity to consider and solve problems, including complex problems to which there is no single solution |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, seminars, tutorials, supervised research Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, exams |
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Present well-developed arguments in written and oral form with clarity and fluency |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Coursework, tutorials, seminars, oral and poster presentations Methods of Assessment Essays, reports, oral and poster presentations, tutorial assignments, seminar assignments, exams |
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Select, design and execute a programme of primary research, including data acquisition, analysis, interpretation, and communication under time-managed conditions and within word limits |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Project design, dissertation and independent project Methods of Assessment Essays, dissertations, independent projects |
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Display critical awareness of a range of key terms, concepts, approaches, techniques and debates in method, theory and practice relating to both disciplines |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Directed reading, tutorials, seminars, oral and poster presentations Methods of Assessment Coursework assignments, class tests, exams |
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Appreciate a range of historical and cultural perspectives on academic enquiry |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Directed reading, tutorials, seminars, oral and poster presentations Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertations, independent projects |
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Engage with and interpret layers of meaning within primary sources and evaluate written sources critically in their context |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Directed reading, tutorials, seminars, coursework Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertations, independent projects |
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Assess and appraise differing views on significant areas of academic debate |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Directed reading, tutorials, seminars, coursework Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertations, independent projects, exams |
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Discriminate between what is central and what is peripheral to the issue in question |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Directed reading, tutorials, seminars, coursework Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertations, independent projects, exams |
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Exercise critical judgment on the basis of varied and problematic evidence and according to the persuasiveness of the arguments or the reliability of the evidence used |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Coursework, tutorials, seminars, oral and poster presentations Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertations, independent projects, exams |
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Reflect on their own learning and seek and make use of constructive feedback |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Coursework, tutorials and seminars Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework |
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Recognise the importance of explicit referencing and the ethical requirements of study, which requires critical and reflective use of information and information technology in the learning process |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Coursework, tutorials and seminars Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertations, independent projects |
Learning Outcomes: Transferable SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Use electronic media and information technology (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, computer-based mapping, graphing and image processing) |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Practicals, provision of online resources Methods of Assessment Practicals, field and lab reports, dissertations, essays, presentations |
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Access library/museum/archive and World Wide Web resources |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Introduction to library services in Induction week, training sessions in use of online resources, practicals Methods of Assessment Appropriate uses of resources expected in all continuous assessment |
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Work effectively and creatively both independently and in a team setting |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Fieldwork, tutorials, seminars, practicals, research design training, one-to-one guidance on dissertation and independent project research Methods of Assessment Report and dissertation writing, essays, presentations, practical assignments |
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Manage time efficiently, work under pressure and to deadlines |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Completion of practicals on time, oral presentations, coursework deadlines Methods of Assessment Practicals, oral presentations, all continuous assessments, dissertation and independent project |
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Take notes and summarise accurately and effectively |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and tutorials Methods of Assessment Oral presentations, seminar discussions |
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Present ideas and arguments orally in both formal and informal contexts; and the capacity to sustain a reasoned line of argument in the face of others, to listen, engage in sustained debate, and amend views as necessary in the light of evidence of argument |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Tutorials and seminars Methods of Assessment Oral presentations, seminar discussions |
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Understand the role and use of feedback in assessing and improving performance; and respond constructively to criticism |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Dedicated feedback sessions with course tutors Methods of Assessment Written feedback is provided for each type and instance of assessment |
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Reflect on intellectual and professional priorities |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Engagement with Personal Tutors and Careers Liaison Officers Methods of Assessment Not formally assessed, but each student is allocated a Personal Tutor in Level 1 and meets with him/her throughout the duration of the degree programme |
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Demonstrate self-reliance, initiative, adaptability and intercultural awareness |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Erasmus programme and other study-abroad programmes with international universities Methods of Assessment For international exchanges, students enrol on and are assessed through the host institution’s undergraduate programme |
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the potential applications of anthropological and archaeological knowledge in a variety of contexts |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, field teaching, directed reading Methods of Assessment Exams, coursework, dissertation |
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Demonstrate awareness of the diversity of specialisms within the discipline of Anthropology and Archaeology |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals, field teaching, supervised research, directed reading Methods of Assessment Exams, coursework, dissertation |
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Show an ability to reflect critically on the nature of Anthropology and History as academic disciplines and an awareness of and methodological debates |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, field teaching, directed reading Methods of Assessment Exams, coursework, dissertation |
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Display knowledge and critical awareness of primary anthropological and archaeological sources and their contexts (including landscapes, sites, monuments and artefacts) |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals, field teaching, supervised research, directed reading Methods of Assessment Exams, coursework, dissertation |
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Show an appreciation and understanding of the relationship between local social and cultural forms in relation to global processes and broader historical developments |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, exams |
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Demonstrate an awareness of continuity and change over an extended period of time |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertation |
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Show an understanding of the nature and extent of human diversity and commonality and account for this using a variety of analytical perspectives |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, exams |
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Display knowledge, both comparative and specialised, of selected periods and societies (prehistoric through contemporary), regions (Britain & Ireland, Europe, the Mediterranean, North America, Africa) and research themes (e.g. human evolution, the development of complex societies, cultural change through time and space, human-environment relationships) |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertation |
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Display knowledge of a range of key terms, concepts, approaches, techniques and debates in the method, theory and practice of both disciplines |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, exams, dissertation |
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Demonstrate understanding of the role of both disciplines in society and the varied ways in which it can be presented to a non-academic audience |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertation |
Learning Outcomes: Subject SpecificOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Apply anthropological and archaeological knowledge to a variety of practical situations, personal and professional plans |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, supervised research Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertation |
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Demonstrate intellectual independence and the initiative to set tasks and solve problems |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, supervised research Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertation |
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Demonstrate an ability to engage with cultures, populations and groups different from their own, without foregoing a sense of personal judgment |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Practicals, field teaching, supervised research Methods of Assessment Assessed fieldwork, practicals |
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Show a recognition that not all statements are of equal validity |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Tutorials, seminars, practicals, supervised research Methods of Assessment Coursework, dissertation, lab notebooks |
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Demonstrate an awareness of a range of viewpoints and an appreciation of the problems involved in interpretation of complex, ambiguous, conflicting and often incomplete material |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertation |
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Show an understanding of how human beings are shaped by, and interact with, their social, cultural, historical and physical environments, and an appreciation of their social, cultural and biological diversity |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals, field teaching Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, exams, dissertation |
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Engage with cultures, populations and groups different from their own, without forgoing a sense of personal judgment |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Practicals, field teaching Methods of Assessment Coursework, oral presentations |
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Demonstrate direct experience and competence in a range of core practical and interpretative skills, to an advanced level, involving the recording and analysis of primary archaeological evidence |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, practicals, supervised research Methods of Assessment Coursework, dissertation, lab and field notebooks |
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Conduct research on archaeological sites, monuments (e.g. SMR, library, archives) and museum collections |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, practicals, field teaching, supervised research Methods of Assessment Coursework, dissertation |
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Demonstrate field skills (e.g. surveying, excavation, site sampling, coring, recording, safety) |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, practicals, field teaching, supervised research Methods of Assessment Coursework, dissertation, lab notebooks |
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Demonstrate an appreciation of the legal policy and ethical frameworks for research and professional practice in both disciplines |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, directed reading Methods of Assessment Coursework |
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show an understanding of how people have existed, acted and thought in the always different context of the past |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, seminars, tutorials Methods of Assessment Coursework, oral presentations |
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show familiarity with bibliographic convention and the ability to research, reference and present written work according to the requirements of the subject area |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Tutorials, seminars, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertation, individual project |
Module Information
Stages and Modules
| Module Title | Module Code | Level/ stage | Credits | Availability |
Duration | Pre-requisite | Assessment |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | S2 | Core | Option | Coursework % | Practical % | Examination % | ||||||
| Environmental Change: past, present and future | ARP1007 | 1 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| 'Understanding Northern Ireland: History, Politics and Anthropology' | ANT1006 | 1 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Archaeological Excavation | ARP1014 | 1 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Us And them: Why do we have ingroups and outgroups? | ANT1007 | 1 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Ancient Humans and Landscapes | ARP1006 | 1 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Introduction To World Archaeology | ARP1013 | 1 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Themes in Historical Archaeology | ARP1010 | 1 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Being Creative: Music Media and the Arts | ESA1001 | 1 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Being Human: Culture and Society | ANT1001 | 1 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| A World on the Move:Historical and Anthropological Approaches to Globalization | ANT1003 | 1 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Europe in Prehistory | ARP1008 | 1 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Hanging out on Street Corners: Creative, Public and applied Anthropology | ANT2038 | 2 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Archaeology in Practice | ARP2057 | 2 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Human Morality | ANT2039 | 2 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Anthropology of Media | ANT2040 | 2 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Northern Ireland: Past, Present and Future | HAP2001 | 2 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| The Archaeology of Islands (Residential Fieldtrip Module) | ARP2058 | 2 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Apocalypse: Cultures, communities, and the end of the world | HAP2065 | 2 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Skills in the Field: Ethnographic methods | ANT2030 | 2 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Palaeoenvironmental Techniques | ARP2051 | 2 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Ireland in Prehistory | ARP2041 | 2 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Key Debates in Anthropology | ANT2022 | 2 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| From St Patrick to the Plantation: The Archaeology of Historic Ireland | ARP2045 | 2 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Thinking through Things Theorizing Global Archaeology | ARP2043 | 2 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | -- | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Remembering the Future: Violent Pasts, Loss and the Politics of Hope | ANT3152 | 3 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| The Archaeology of Ancient Greece (Residential Fieldtrip Module) | ARP3009 | 3 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Anthropology and Roma | ANT3153 | 3 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Critical Thinking and the Past | ARP3089 | 3 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 50% | 50% | 0% |
| Music, Power and Conflict | ESA3013 | 3 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Society, Death and Disease | ARP3053 | 3 | 20 | -- | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 0% | 70% | 30% |
| The Politics of Performance: From Negotiation to Display | ESA3002 | 3 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Archaeology/Palaeoecology Dissertation | ARP3056 | 3 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Independent Project | ARP3069 | 3 | 20 | YES | YES | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| In Gods We Trust: The New Anthropology of Religion | ANT3150 | 3 | 20 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | N | -- | YES | 90% | 10% | 0% |
| Anthropology Dissertation | ANT3099 | 3 | 40 | YES | -- | 12 weeks | Y | -- | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Notes
Students MUST take 120 credits - 6 MODULES (THREE in Semester 1 and THREE in Semester 2).
Students are required to take TWO CORE modules.
Students are required to take TWO OPTIONAL Anthropology modules and TWO OPTIONAL Archaeology modules.
“Students will be notified each academic year of the optional modules being offered in the following academic year. Students are advised that not all optional modules will necessarily be offered in each academic year. Also, the delivery of a module may be subject to a minimum number of enrolments as well as unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness of a member of staff). The range and content of optional modules will change over time as degree programmes develop and students’ choice of optional modules may also be limited due to timetabling constraints.“
Students are encouraged to consider enhancing their undergraduate experience by taking one of the International study options. These are:
o Studying for one semester exchange at one of our partner universities in Europe through the ERASMUS student exchange programme
• Studying for one semester at one of our partner universities in the United States through our American student exchange programme. For further information about semester abroad opportunities, contact Advisor of Studies or happexp@qub.ac.uk
Students must take 120 credits - 6 MODULES (THREE in Semester 1 and THREE in Semester 2).
Students are required to take ONE CORE Anthropology module and ONE CORE Archaeology module.
Students are required to take FOUR OPTIONAL modules, TWO from Anthropology and TWO from Archaeology.
*ANT2030 is a pre-requisite for ANT3099 (Anthropology Dissertation).
Students must take 120 credits - 6 MODULES (THREE in Semester 1 and THREE in Semester 2).
Students are normally required to do a dissertation at Stage 3 and will take either ARP3056 or ANT3099, they may not take both. Please note that ARP3056 is a full-year module (students enrolling in this module are expected to work on their dissertation over both Semester 1 and 2), while ANT3099 is a double-weighted Semester 2 module). Should students opt to take either ARP 3056 or ANT3099 Dissertation, a note should be taken that there is a relevant pre-requisite module which must be taken at stage 2. Please review the pre-requisite column in the table above.
ARP3069 is not a standard option but is provided: (i) to accommodate visiting students at Stage 3 and (ii) to provide an alternative to the double-weighted ArcPal dissertation module (ARP3056) under exceptional circumstances, as advised by supervisor; compulsory if ARP3056 or ANT3099 are not taken; not otherwise available.
“Students will be notified each academic year of the optional modules being offered in the following academic year. Students are advised that not all optional modules will necessarily be offered in each academic year. Also, the delivery of a module may be subject to a minimum number of enrolments as well as unforeseen circumstances (e.g. illness of a member of staff). The range and content of optional modules will change over time as degree programmes develop and students’ choice of optional modules may also be limited due to timetabling constraints.“