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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
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

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 6

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Archaeology (2014)

Accreditations (PSRB)

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
(Please see 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 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, tutorial assignments, seminar assignments, exams

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 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

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

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 & 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 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

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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.).
Essays, coursework assignments, class tests, exams, individual and group presentations

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

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.).
Essays, coursework assignments, class tests, exams, individual and group presentations

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

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.).
Essays, coursework assignments, class tests, exams, individual and group presentations

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

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

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 %
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.