Undergraduate Programme Specification
BA Archaeology and Irish
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 | BA Archaeology and Irish | Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) |
Bachelor of Arts | |||||||||||
| Programme Code | ARL-BA-JS | UCAS Code | VQ45 | HECoS Code |
100299 - Archaeology - 50 101121 - Irish language - 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 Year(s) Full Time - 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 |
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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 |
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 are normally required to spend a total of six weeks in the Gaeltacht in Ireland at an approved place of residence (normally three weeks between Level 1 and Level 2, and another three weeks between Level 2 and Level 3). |
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 and the School of Arts, English and Languages work with placement providers and partner institutions to ensure that students with disabilities are able to complete placement and residence requirements. |
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 disciplines of Archaeology and Irish, and in-depth knowledge of selected specialist areas within these disciplines
• demonstrate key transferable skills, for example critical thinking, data recording and handling, evaluating primary and secondary sources, processing and interpreting complex information
• 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 advanced linguistic skills in Irish, which are informed by general language awareness, intercultural competence and high levels of critical thinking
• display a discipline-specific perspective enabling the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the inter-relationship between texts and contexts, a familiarity with debates surrounding culture and identity, both individual and communal, and skills in synthesising and developing ideas and arguments from diverse literary and other contemporary sources
• show an understanding of the key concepts that are used to undertake archaeological, literary, and linguistic analysis, and address major themes in culture history and theoretical approaches to society, literature and language.
• 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 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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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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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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Understand and actively engage with a different intellectual culture |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, tutorials, seminars, compulsory six-week stay in a Gaeltacht in Ireland Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework |
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 Irish as academic 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 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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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 the method, theory and practice of both disciplines |
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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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 |
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Appreciate 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 |
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Display detailed knowledge of oral and written forms of Irish, and an understanding of the linguistic structures and varieties of Irish (including register and dialect) |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, exams |
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Demonstrate knowledge of key aspects of contemporary Irish-language culture (literature, socio-linguistics, institutions, discourses, historical background and culture) |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertation |
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Display understanding of the role of the Irish language in contemporary Irish society and identity |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, dissertation |
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Show awareness of the historical background to Modern Irish language and literature |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, exams |
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Demonstrate knowledge of medieval varieties of the Irish language and their literatures |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, exams |
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Display knowledge and understanding from a range of subject matters as well as numerous approaches, methods and theories which are employed to understand texts and their contexts |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework, exams |
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Address major themes in the history of society and culture as well as theoretical approaches to literature and language |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Lectures, language classes, seminars, tutorials, 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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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 Assessed fieldwork, practicals |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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Communicate fluently and effectively with native Irish speakers in both oral and written contexts |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading, compulsory six-week stay in a Gaeltacht in Ireland Methods of Assessment Written exams and coursework test students’ ability to write short and extended pieces in the target language under timed conditions and without the aid of language resources (dictionaries etc.). |
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Demonstrate a high level of understanding of oral and written forms of Irish |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading, compulsory six-week stay in a Gaeltacht in Ireland Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework assignments, class tests, exams, individual and group presentations |
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Deploy an appropriate range of vocabulary, structures and registers |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading, compulsory six-week stay in a Gaeltacht in Ireland Methods of Assessment Written exams and coursework test students’ ability to write short and extended pieces in the target language under timed conditions and without the aid of language resources (dictionaries etc.). |
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Draw on a wide variety of resources to refine and improve their knowledge and understanding of Irish |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading, compulsory six-week stay in a Gaeltacht in Ireland Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework assignments, class tests, exams, individual and group presentations |
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Understand, evaluate and analyse texts in the Irish language |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading Methods of Assessment Written exams and coursework test students’ ability to write short and extended pieces in the target language under timed conditions and without the aid of language resources (dictionaries etc.). |
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Synthesise ideas and develop arguments in Irish, drawing from a wide range of diverse sources |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading, compulsory six-week stay in a Gaeltacht in Ireland Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework assignments, class tests, exams, individual and group presentations |
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Use appropriate methods of research and critical concepts specific to linguistic, cultural, literary and language-based studies |
Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Language classes, seminars, tutorials, directed reading Methods of Assessment Essays, coursework assignments, class tests, exams, individual and group 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 % | ||||||
| Celtic Mythology | CEL1033 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
| 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% | ||
| 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||||
| Introduction To World Archaeology | ARP1013 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 75% | 0% | 25% | ||
| Gaeilge 1 | CEL1101 | 1 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | N | YES | 45% | 20% | 35% | |
| Archaeological Excavation | ARP1014 | 1 | 20 | YES | 16 weeks | N | YES | 75% | 0% | 25% | ||
| An Introduction to Modern Irish Literature | CEL1006 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 70% | 30% | 0% | ||
| Language Politics and Conflict | CEL1007 | 1 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
| Scottish Gaelic Language 1 | CEL2017 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 70% | 0% | 30% | ||
| Kings and Warriors | CEL2009 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 70% | 30% | 0% | ||
| 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% | ||
| Irish Writing and the Short Story | CEL2026 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 70% | 30% | 0% | ||
| Palaeoenvironmental Techniques | ARP2051 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
| Gaeilge 2 | CEL2101 | 2 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | Y | YES | 45% | 20% | 35% | |
| Archaeology in Practice | ARP2057 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
| Scannánaiocht na Gaeilge: Studies in Irish Film | CEL2020 | 2 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 70% | 30% | 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% | |
| Gaeilge 3 | CEL3101 | 3 | 40 | YES | YES | 24 weeks | Y | YES | 45% | 20% | 35% | |
| Kingship and Religion in the First Millennium AD | ARP3085 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 90% | 10% | 0% | ||
| Language, Identity and the Emergence of Modern Irish Literature | CEL3009 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 70% | 30% | 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% | ||
| Scéal na hImirce -The Migrant Experience | CEL3006 | 3 | 20 | YES | 12 weeks | N | YES | 100% | 0% | 0% | ||
Notes
At each stage, students are required to take 60 credits worth of modules in Archaeology-Palaeoecology (ARP module codes) plus 60 credits worth of modules in Irish (CEL module codes) from the above list. 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 only available if ARP1014 was not taken at Stage 1 (e.g. to students transferring in from other programmes or institutions, needing to take this module to meet their CIfA/UAUK accreditation requirements), 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.