Undergraduate Programme Specification
MSci Archaeology
Academic Year 2021/22
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 | MSci Archaeology | Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) |
Master in Science | |||||||||||
| Programme Code | ARL-MSCI | UCAS Code | V403 | HECoS Code |
100299 - Archaeology - 75 100381 - Environmental sciences - 25 |
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| ATAS Clearance Required | No | |||||||||||||
| Mode of Study | Part Time or Full Time | |||||||||||||
| Type of Programme | Undergraduate Master | Length of Programme | Part Time - 8 Academic Year(s) Full Time - 4 Academic Year(s) |
Total Credits for Programme | 480 | |||||||||
| Exit Awards available | ||||||||||||||
Institute Information
Teaching Institution |
Queen's University Belfast |
School/Department |
Natural and Built Environment |
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Quality Code Higher Education Credit Framework for England |
Level 7 |
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Subject Benchmark Statements The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies |
Archaeology (2014) |
Accreditations (PSRB) |
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Chartered Institute for Archaeologists |
Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 27-08-20 |
Regulation Information
Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations None |
Programme Specific Regulations Unless exempted by the Head of School on the basis of prior learning or exceptional personal/medical circumstances, students will be required to complete a minimum four-week teaching excavation in order to obtain practical fieldwork experience relevant to the discipline. |
Students with protected characteristics No barriers to access or progression. Physical disability may be a barrier to certain students (e.g. wheelchair users) from participating in some fieldwork activities. The School of Natural and Built Environment works with placement providers and partner institutions to ensure that students with disabilities are able to complete fieldwork and placement requirements. |
Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations (Please see General Regulations) No |
Educational Aims Of Programme
The first three years of the MSci follow the educational aims of the BSc Archaeology and Palaeoecology programme. On completion of these three years the student will be able to:
* demonstrate an appreciation of past and present human and physical environments, and their relevance for understanding current social, economic, political and environment concerns
* show sound knowledge and understanding of the scope and key intellectual issues within the disciplines of archaeology, palaeoecology and geography, and in-depth knowledge of selected specialist areas within the disciplines
* demonstrate key transferable skills, for example field survey and recording, site sampling, laboratory etiquette and practice, data handling and analytical skills
* demonstrate knowledge of and specialist experience in archaeology from prehistory to the present, including an understanding of the global scope of the discipline and specialist knowledge of selected regions
* show awareness of past environmental change, particularly with respect to understanding and contextualising past cultural change and the role of palaeoecological research for informing our understanding of current climate and environmental change issues
* demonstrate awareness of the wide scope of geographical enquiry, including methodologies for data collection and analysis, interpretation, contextualisation and representation
* display an appreciation of the character and role of heritage sites and landscapes in the present, including ethical and legal considerations and the relevance of public engagement
* demonstrate qualification in and key skills for lifelong learning and career development, including independent research abilities, team work, written and oral expression
* Stage 4 of the extended undergraduate (MSci) programme in Archaeology responds to the need for trained professionals in the sector expressed in the broadest of terms. On the completion of the programme the students will be able to:
* demonstrate specialist knowledge and an understanding of geospatial techniques and other techniques relevant to the heritage and museum sectors;
* display critical, reflexive thinking and appreciation of the philosophies that underpin analysis, interpretation and conservation;
* demonstrate research skills as preparation for doctoral research in a range of disciplines in the humanities and heritage sciences;
* apply skills in qualitative, quantitative, textual and visual analysis;
* undertake a substantial piece of research in different sub-fields of Archaeology.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Demonstrate an ability to analyse concepts and ideas |
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 |
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 |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Project design, dissertation and independent project Methods of Assessment Term essays, dissertations, individual projects, project reports |
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Display critical awareness of a range of key terms, concepts, approaches, techniques and debates in archaeological and palaeoecological method, theory and science |
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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Critically evaluate, interpret and structure evidence whether from reports, academic literature, web-sourced content, or fieldwork |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Seminars, practical exercises, fieldwork exercises, oral and poster presentations and placements Methods of Assessment Project reports, social media and presentations |
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Formulate informed and evidence-based academic arguments based on results obtained during practicals, fieldwork and group and individual study |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Seminars, practical exercises, fieldwork exercises, and placements Methods of Assessment Project reports, social media and presentations |
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Plan, construct, and present the results of exercises in a coherent, balanced and logical format |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Seminars, practical exercises, fieldwork exercises, and placements Methods of Assessment Project reports, social media, and presentations |
Learning Outcomes: Transferable SkillsOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Use computer and information technology (such as internet and email use, 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, dissertation, individual project, 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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Undertake independent study, research and problem-solving |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Research Design training, one-to-one guidance on dissertation and independent project research Methods of Assessment Report and dissertation writing, essays, presentations, practicals |
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Participate in and reflect on collaborative group-/team-work |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Fieldwork, tutorials, seminars, practicals Methods of Assessment Practicals, oral and poster presentations |
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Time management |
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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Team work |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Practical exercises, fieldwork, post-fieldwork exercises Methods of Assessment Project reports and presentations |
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Project Planning |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Practical exercises, fieldwork, post-fieldwork exercises and dissertation work Methods of Assessment Project reports, social media, and presentations |
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Ability to generate logical and structured arguments based on evidence |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Practical exercises, post-fieldwork exercises and dissertation work. Methods of Assessment Project reports, social media, and presentations |
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Effective oral presentations using visual aids |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Presentations Methods of Assessment Presentations |
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Coherent report writing and use of IT including graphic, cartographic and GIS software |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Practical exercises, post-fieldwork exercises Methods of Assessment Project reports and social media |
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & UnderstandingOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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Display knowledge of the nature, relationships, context, development and contemporary practice of archaeology and/or palaeoecology as disciplines and as professions |
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 archaeological data and their archaeological contexts (including landscapes, sites and monuments, artefacts and ecofacts) |
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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Display knowledge and critical awareness of primary palaeoecological data and their relevance (including past landscape, ecosystem and climate reconstructions) |
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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Display knowledge, both comparative and specialised, of selected archaeological periods (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, field teaching, directed reading Methods of Assessment Exams, coursework, dissertation |
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Display knowledge of a range of key terms, concepts, approaches, techniques and debates in archaeological and palaeoecological method, theory and science |
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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Appreciate the legal policy and ethical frameworks for research and professional practice in archaeology |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, directed reading Methods of Assessment Coursework |
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Show an awareness of the wider public interest in archaeology and the public benefit of archaeology |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, seminars, field teaching Methods of Assessment Coursework |
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Show an awareness of the contribution of palaeoecological studies to current debates on climate and environmental change |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, seminars, field teaching Methods of Assessment Coursework |
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Understand the principles and methods by which various types of content are acquired and analysed |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Fieldwork exercises and tutorials Methods of Assessment Project reports and presentations |
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Collate and interrogate data from primary and secondary sources and construct academic narratives in both oral and written formats |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Post-fieldwork practicals and presentations Methods of Assessment Project reports and presentations |
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Understand how to spatialise and visualise content |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Seminars, practicals and fieldwork Methods of Assessment Project reports, social media, and presentations |
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Undertake the development and implementation of an independent research project |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and seminars Methods of Assessment Placement project, individual report and dissertation |
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Understand the importance of Health, Safety and Welfare issues associated with laboratory and fieldwork and responsibility for team members |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Seminars and fieldwork Methods of Assessment Project reports |
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Demonstrate understanding of the legal and ethical issues of working with cultural heritage artefacts |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and fieldwork Methods of Assessment Project reports and dissertation, including specific occasions when formative feedback is provided by external heritage professionals |
Learning Outcomes: Subject SpecificOn the completion of this course successful students will be able to: |
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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 archaeological and environmental 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 and monuments (e.g. SMR, library, archives) and/or environmental habitats (e.g. bogs, lakes) or data |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, practicals, field teaching, supervised research Methods of Assessment Coursework, dissertation, individual project |
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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 Assessed fieldwork, practicals |
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Demonstrate an awareness of post-fieldwork processes (e.g. artefacts and materials research, human and animal bone research, illustration, sampling, data analysis, data presentation) |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals Methods of Assessment Coursework |
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Develop a practical understanding of the use and significance of applying GIS and associated technologies as research tools in the surveying, recording, analysis and interpretation of cultural heritage |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, seminars and fieldwork Methods of Assessment Project reports, presentations, individual project |
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Develop expertise in site survey techniques and use of graphic and GIS software to present and communicate findings |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and fieldwork Methods of Assessment Project reports, presentations, individual project |
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Understand and interpret the landscape context for cultural heritage artefacts and their role in reflecting the societal mores of the time |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, seminars, field classes and fieldwork Methods of Assessment Project reports, presentations, individual project |
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Assess the relevance and quality of a substantial range of literatures and primary and secondary information sources and apply this knowledge to the analysis of the issues facing the preservation and long-term resilience of cultural heritage artefacts |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures and seminars Methods of Assessment Project reports, presentations, 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 % | ||||||
| Europe in Prehistory | ARP1008 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
| Themes in Historical Archaeology | ARP1010 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 30% | 30% | 40% | ||
| Ancient Humans and Landscapes | ARP1006 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 80% | 0% | 20% | ||
| Environmental Change: past, present and future | ARP1007 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 50% | 30% | 20% | ||
| Introduction To World Archaeology | ARP1013 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 75% | 0% | 25% | ||
| Archaeological Excavation | ARP1014 | 1 | 20 | YES | 16 weeks | N | YES | 75% | 0% | 25% | ||
| Archaeological Excavation | ARP2039 | 2 | 20 | YES | 16 weeks | N | YES | 75% | 0% | 25% | ||
| Ireland in Prehistory | ARP2041 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 40% | 40% | 20% | ||
| Thinking through Things Theorizing Global Archaeology | ARP2043 | 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 | 60% | 0% | 40% | ||
| Palaeoenvironmental Techniques | ARP2051 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
| Landscapes and Geographical Information (GIS) | GGY2002 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
| Archaeology in Practice | ARP2057 | 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% | ||
| Archaeology/Palaeoecology Dissertation | ARP3056 | 3 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | Y | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | |
| Society, Death and Disease | ARP3053 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 0% | 70% | 30% | ||
| Independent Project | ARP3069 | 3 | 20 | YES | YES | 12 weeks | Y | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | |
| Kingship and Religion in the First Millennium AD | ARP3085 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 90% | 10% | 0% | ||
| Advanced Geographical Information Systems | GGY3060 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
| Human-Environment Dynamics in the Holocene | ARP3086 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 30% | 30% | 40% | ||
| Human Evolution and Innovation through Prehistory | ARP3087 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 45% | 0% | 55% | ||
| Domestic, Symbolic and Funerary Monuments in Prehistoric Europe | ARP3088 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 40% | 35% | 25% | ||
| Critical Thinking | ARP3089 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 50% | 50% | 0% | ||
| Special Subject | ARP3091 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
| Irish Archaeology in a Global Context | ARP4202 | 4 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 50% | 50% | 0% | ||
| Workplace Internship | ARP4306 | 4 | 20 | YES | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | |
| Applied Project | ARP4507 | 4 | 20 | YES | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | |
| Community Archaeology | ARP4510 | 4 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 75% | 0% | 25% | ||
| Research Theory and Practice | ARP4041 | 4 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 60% | 40% | 0% | ||
| Current Debates in Prehistoric Archaeology | ARP4511 | 4 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 40% | 60% | 0% | ||
| Advanced Excavation | ARP4520 | 4 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
| Professional Practice | ARP4521 | 4 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | |
Notes
At each stage, students are required to take 120 credits worth of modules from the above list. Exceptionally, 20 credits worth of modules per stage may be taken from modules other than those listed above, i.e. from modules outside the programme. In addition to a total of 120 credits worth of credit-bearing modules at Stage 1, students on this programme are also required to take the non-credit-bearing module ARP1101 ‘Study Skills for Archaeology’. ARP1014 includes a four-week field excavation in June between Stages 1 and 2. ARP2039 is compulsory if ARP1014 was not taken at Stage 1 (normally only available to students transferring in from other programmes or institutions), includes a four-week field excavation in June. 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 dissertation module (ARP3056) under exceptional circumstances, as advised by supervisor; compulsory if ARP3056 is not taken; not otherwise available. ARP3091 dependent on staff availability. ARP4306 cannot be taken together with ARP4521. ARP4520 includes a four-week field excavation in June between Stages 3 and 4.