Skip to Content

detail

BA Archaeology

Academic Year 2018/19

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 Archaeology

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Bachelor of Arts

Programme Code

ARL-BA-S

UCAS Code

V402

HECoS Code

100299

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Single Honours

Length of Programme

3 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

360

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Natural and Built Environment

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 6

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Archaeology (2014)

Accreditations (PSRB)

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

N/A

Students with protected characteristics

No barriers to access or progression

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

On completion of the programme the student will be able to:

• demonstrate sound knowledge and understanding of the scope and key intellectual issues within the discipline of Archaeology, and in-depth knowledge of selected specialist areas within that discipline

• demonstrate key transferable skills, for example field survey and recording, site sampling, laboratory etiquette and practice, data handling and analytical skills

• demonstrate broad knowledge of and specialist expertise in the archaeology of Ireland from prehistory to the present, complemented by understanding of the global scope of the discipline and specialist knowledge of selected other regions

• show awareness of the varied social, economic and environmental parameters underpinning past cultural change

• display an appreciation of the character and role of archaeological 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

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

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

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

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

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

Display critical awareness of a range of key terms, concepts, approaches, techniques and debates in archaeological method, theory and practice

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Directed reading, tutorials, seminars, oral and poster presentations

Methods of Assessment

Coursework assignments, class tests, exams

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

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

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

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 Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

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

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

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

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

Take notes and summarise accurately and effectively

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures and tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Oral presentations, seminar discussions

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

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

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

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 & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Display knowledge of the nature, relationships, context, development and contemporary practice of Archaeology as a discipline and as a profession

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials, seminars, field teaching, directed reading

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework, dissertation

Display knowledge and critical awareness of primary 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

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

Display knowledge of a range of key terms, concepts, approaches, techniques and debates in archaeological method, theory and practice

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals, field teaching, supervised research, directed reading

Methods of Assessment

Exams, coursework, dissertation

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, exams

Appreciate the role of Archaeology 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 Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

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

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

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

Show an awareness of post-fieldwork requirements (e.g. artefacts and materials research, human and animal bone research, illustration, sampling, data analysis, data presentation)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, supervised research

Methods of Assessment

Coursework, dissertation, lab notebooks

Demonstrate an appreciation of 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

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

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
S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Europe in Prehistory ARP1008 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 0% 40%
From Romans to Normans: The Archaeology of Historic Europe 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 50% 20% 30%
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 ARP2058 2 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Archaeology/Palaeoecology Dissertation ARP3056 3 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Monuments and Ritual in European Prehistory ARP3059 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 80% 20% 0%
Society, Death and Disease ARP3053 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 45% 0% 55%
Independent Project ARP3069 3 20 YES YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Volcanoes: environmental and societal impacts ARP3080 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 30% 70% 0%
Palaeolithic Pioneers: Adaptation & Colonization in Global Perspective ARP3082 3 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 60% 0% 40%
Early Medieval Europe: archaeologies of kingship, religion, and society 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%

Notes

* ARP1014 participation in the four-week field excavation in June is a compulsory element of the degree programme ** ARP2039 compulsory if ARP1014 was not taken at Stage 1; not otherwise available *** ARP3069 this module is not a standard option but is provided: (i) to accommodate students on Erasmus placements at L3 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

At each Level/Stage, students are normally required to take 120 credits worth of modules from the list below. Exceptionally, 20 credits worth of modules per Level/Stage may be taken from modules other than those listed below, i.e. from modules outside the programme. The total of credits taken per Level/Stage must always be 120.