AR3D1-Dissertation
Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 40 [20ECTS credits]
Level:
H (Honours)
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Spring
Module Convenor: Dr
S
Wallace
Pre-requisites: AR1TS1
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9
Email: las06sw@reading.ac.uk
Aims:
The module aims to improve students' understanding of archaeological methods and thought, and to enhance their research skills and sense of self-reliance, by engaging them in a major piece of independent, supervised learning.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able:
Additional outcomes:
The dissertation project requires the use, and encourages the improvement, of a range of essential, transferable skills, including problem-solving, information handling, numeracy, IT and communication skills.
Outline content:
Dissertation topics cover a wide range, including the study of primary and/or published sources as they relate to problems in our knowledge of the past; the strengths and weaknesses of particular ideas which have been proposed to interpret and understand the archaeological record; and the ways in which archaeology is studied, preserved, and communicated to the wider community. Methods and approaches may include small-scale fieldwork or environmental sampling, the analysis of a clearly defined body of primary data, and/or the application of original ideas which contribute to archaeological debate. Topic and approach may relate to a particular Part 2 or 3 module taken by the student, but the choice is not limited to the range of teaching available in a particular year.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Following a dissertation briefing in the Spring Term of Part 2, students submit an outline dissertation proposal by the end of that term. On this basis, each student is then assigned a supervisor, or two joint supervisors, responsible for guiding and advising the student's work on the dissertation. During the Summer Term of Part 2, students attend dissertation workshops and draft a research design, which must be revised and submitted by the end of this term. They give an oral presentation in the second half of the Autumn Term of Part 3, and submit a dissertation by the end of the first week of the Summer Term of Part 3.
Contact hours:
| Spring(Pt2) | Summer(Pt2) | Autumn(Pt3) | Spring(Pt3) | |
| Lectures | 1 | 4 | ||
| Tutorials/seminars | 1 | 7 | 2 | |
| Practicals | ||||
| Other contact (eg study visits) | 5 | 2 | ||
| Total hours | 2 | 16 | 4 | |
| Number of essays or assignments | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Other (eg major seminar paper) | 1 |
Assessment:
Coursework
Students will prepare a research design (c. 2 sides of A4) and an oral presentation (10 minutes), and write a dissertation of 12,000 words. All elements will be assessed. The dissertation is to be submitted by the end of the first week of the Summer Term of Part 3.
Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
Dissertation 85%; Oral Presentation 10%; Research Design 5%.
Penalties for late submission
Penalties for late submission of course work will be in accordance with University policy.
Examinations:
None.
Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of coursework
Last updated: 3 December 2008