Newcastle University > Undergraduate > Find a Degree > Module

• Offered for Year: 2021/22

• Module Leader(s): Dr Louise Rayne
• Lecturer: Dr Chris Fowler, Dr Eric Tourigny, Dr James Gerrard, Dr Chloe Duckworth, Professor Ian Haynes, Dr Rob Collins, Dr Mark Jackson, Dr Sally Waite, Dr Matthew Haysom, Dr Andrea Dolfini, Dr Jane Webster, Dr Chantal Conneller, Professor Sam Turner
• Technician: Dr Eline Van Asperen, Ms Diana Blumberg

• Owning School: History, Classics and Archaeology
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Aims

The aims of this module are:

To furnish students with the skills for producing (under supervision) an independent piece of research in the form of a dissertation.
To improve skills in written presentation and research techniques.
To provide an opportunity to reflect upon how studies might be continued at postgraduate level.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module commences with a training course in independent research skills, which is taken in semester 1 by all students undertaking dissertations in archaeology. Students will develop cognitive, subject-specific and key skills required to produce an independent piece of research. Individual students will also arrange tutorials with their supervisor. Assessment of this introductory stage takes the form of a research proposal which will explain the importance and research context of the dissertation topic, accompanied by a concise outline of the dissertation's structure, a summary of methodological approaches and source materials, and a brief review of previous work in this field (2000 words).

Building on the skills acquired in the research training element of the module, students then go on in Semester 2 to complete an independent piece of written research, working under the supervision of a member of staff. The outcome will be a Dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words, bound and formatted according to module specifications.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Jointly Taught With

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will be provided with an induction into planning and implementation of a dissertation. This module is provided in a blended format, with short recorded lectures introducing topics, instructional videos introducing key skills, and guided practical exercises covering data handling and presentation, professional formatting and structuring of documents. Students will also be introduced to project management skills including time management, use of e-portfolio to record meetings. Weekly scheduled small group teaching will reinforce material covered online, with a focus on looking at examples of dissertations and related materials, developing critical thinking skills. After the first week students will be allocated their supervisor. Initial supervision meetings will guide students towards appropriate reading and provide advice on dissertation structure and content. They will also foster a good working relationship between students and their supervisors.They will take responsibility for organising regular meetings with their supervisor and ensure that they produce written work
in time to allow feedback from the supervisor.

Students will begin the process of completing the dissertation in Semester 2 with a secure foundation of ideas and methods. Throughout semester 2 one-to-one and small group supervision meetings with staff will also develop students' skills in time-management, project-management, initiative and team working. This will be achieved through making it the responsibility of students to arrange times to see their supervisors, by ensuring that students prepare in advance for meetings by submitting work at least one week before meetings, and through discussion of progress with their supervisor. Supervisors will engage in critical dialogue on submitted drafts and make recommendations for improvements.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment

Formative Assessments

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students are introduced to the dissertation in semester 2 of their second year, and are advised to start thinking about potential topics and supervisors over the summer.

The formal submission of a title (Outline topic form) in week 1 means that students register their project with the School and are motivated to prepare for the task ahead. This also enables staff to pick up students who have not yet engaged with the dissertation and who need extra help. This is does not count as part of the % of formal assessment.

The formal submission of the preliminary aims and objectives (week 4) tests the understanding of the students on this topic and enables the students to prepare and gain feedback on their project aims and objectives in advance of the Research Proposal. This is does not count as part of the % of formal assessment.

The Research Proposal for the dissertation (submitted at the end of sem 1) will include theories, methods, research materials and relevant bibliographical material. It will help students apply skills and knowledge developed during this training module to their own research dissertation, and to manage it as a research project.

The final dissertation (submitted in May) must meet specific criteria, and demonstrate mastery of skills and techniques taught throughout the module.

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

This module cannot be made available to exchange students under any circumstances. This applies to Erasmus, study-abroad, exchange proper and Loyola students equally.

Reading Lists

• ARA3001's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• ARA3001's Timetable