ARA8190 : Research Themes, Theories and Skills in Archaeology I (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Eric Tourigny
- Demonstrator: Miss Louise Cowan
- Lecturer: Professor Andrea Dolfini, Dr Louise Rayne, Dr Duncan Wright, Dr Sophie Moore, Dr Rob Collins, Mr Alexander Paul Turner, Professor Lisa-Marie Shillito
- 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 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module will cover two main areas:
1) It will introduce key theoretical and methodological questions in archaeology through a series of case-study seminars. Each seminar will be led by a member of archaeology staff and will develop advanced understanding of a particular theme. The themes will relate to the current research strands in Archaeology at Newcastle, and will refer to particular issues linked to each academic staff member’s own research.
2) It will also introduce and give students the opportunity to practice a range of practical research skills which will be useful to employ in other modules during the MA and in later careers.
Outline Of Syllabus
Outline syllabus, intended as a guide only; week-by-week topics may be slightly different to the following:
Research-based practical seminars:
• Seminars and workshops: Essay-writing skills
• Seminars: working with archaeological publications and reports
• Workshop: Employing regional and national archives in the UK.
• Workshop: Studying material culture and museum collections.
• Workshop: Digital humanities.
• Fieldtrip: Heritage-focused fieldtrip.
• Workshop: Studying material culture and museum collections.
• Field skills: Surveying-based field skills.
• Workshop: Mapping in archaeological research.
• Workshop: Excel spreadsheets and data presentation in archaeological research.
• Workshop: Workshops: Drawing and digital illustration
• Workshop: Using radiocarbon dates and Ox Cal.
Summative Assessment: Theory Essay to be submitted
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 34 | 1:00 | 34:00 | Assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 44 | 1:00 | 44:00 | Skills activities including online materials. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Present in person classes in workshops. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Present in person classes in workshops rather than classroom, computer cluster, or lab. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Introduction to survey equipment and skills. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Introductory sessions will give students a grounding in accessing the library and museum resources in the university at Newcastle. Theory seminars will introduce students to members of academic staff and theoretical perspectives in archaeology. Students will prepare for each of these seminars and select one of the seminar topics as the basis of their essay (assignment) for this module. A series of practical sessions will help to develop students' skills in various aspects of academic research in archaeology. Students will be expected to employ these skills in other modules during the MA and in their future careers.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | A | 100 | 2000 word essay |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | First submission of 2000 word essay, which will receive feedback prior to final submission. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The subject of the essay will relate to one of the theoretical seminars. The essay will assess
understanding of and ability to critically analyse data and published interpretations relating to key themes in
archaeological theory.
This module can be made available to Erasmus 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. No restrictions
apply to study-abroad, exchange and Loyola students.
All Erasmus students at Newcastle University are expected to do the same assessment as students registered for a degree.
Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. Where an exam is present, an alternative form of assessment will be set and where coursework is present, an alternative deadline will be set. Details of the alternative assessment will be provided by the module leader.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ARA8190's Timetable