ARA8025 : Graduate Seminar in Artefact Analysis
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor James Gerrard
- Lecturer: Dr Sally Waite, Professor Andrea Dolfini, Dr Chloe Duckworth
- Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Fascinated by ancient objects? Want to learn more about ancient material culture? Do you want to broaden and professionalize your understanding of finds? Then read on...
This course provides students with the opportunity to undertake supervised study of archaeological artefacts. This includes objects from some of Europe’s finest collections of antiquities in the Great North Museum and also other organisations, such as archaeological contractors.
This module is particularly suited to any student interested in developing advanced skills in artefact evaluation, analysis and material culture studies. You will acquire professional level skills in artefact report preparation. As such, the module provides a firm foundation for anyone interested in working with artefacts in their careers (including PGR study; becoming a finds specialist; a Finds Liaison Officer, or working in Museums, archaeological archives and heritage organisations).
Students are able to select individual pieces from the collections for detailed study and receive individual supervision in preparing a report on the objects they chose.
The aim of this course is to provide students with an advanced knowledge of artefact evaluation and detailed artefact report preparation.
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus is divided into three parts:
1) Finds Analysis: themes and methods. Here we will explore topics such as archaeological approaches to recording, quantification, object biographies, artefacts and public outreach.
2) Finds Analysis: Specialisms
For the Specialism component students will be offered a number of focussed study topics in artefact analysis. The following is an indicative list and may be subject to change: numismatics (coins), pottery, lithics, glass, ancient metals, skeletal materials
The module may deal with archaeological discussions of death, bereavement, and violence. It may include images of human remains.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 83 | 1:00 | 83:00 | Preparation for the assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 42 | 1:00 | 42:00 | Reading in support of the lectures and practicals |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Practicals |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | Practicals |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | seminar / discussion groups |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 42 | 1:00 | 42:00 | Canvas exercises and resources |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The course requires students to handle artefacts and study them in depth under supervision. They gain practical experience and an in-depth theoretical understanding of the study of artefacts through lectures and 'hands-on' practical sessions.
Lectures impart core knowledge and an outline of knowledge that students are expected to acquire and they stimulate development of listening and note-taking skills.
The practicals allows in depth study of material culture and support with assessment preparation.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 2 | A | 75 | A portfolio describing and analysing two types of artefacts or an assemblage to professional standards. This is to be no more than 2000 words and should include images. |
| Case study | 2 | M | 25 | A short essay (1000 words) on a theme or themes discussed in the first part of the module. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 2 | M | Canvas exercises that introduce students to typologies, materials and approaches. These build to scaffold the summative assessments. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The student is required to produce a 1000 word essay on methods/themes related to artefact analysis and produce a portfolio describing two types of artefacts or an assemblage to professional standards. This should be a maximum of 2000 words and include illustrative material.
The portfolio requires students to engage directly with material held in the University collections (or, exceptionally, artefacts from other sites) and to relate that evidence to its context. It therefore ensures that students gain both a high level of familiarity with artefacts and the ability to assess them in a broader context.
Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.
The form of any re-sit shall be determined by the Board of Examiners.
This module can be made available to study-abroad / Loyola students only with the agreement of the Head of Subject and of the Module Leader. This option must be discussed in person at the beginning of your exchange period.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ARA8025's Timetable