AY3022: ADVANCED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE (2018-2019)

Last modified: 22 May 2019 17:07

Course Overview

Scientific methods are integral to the modern field of archaeology and are drawn from across the spectrum of the natural, chemical, biological, physical and computational sciences. Divided into three 'mini-modules', this course focuses on advanced themes and approaches in archaeological science. Topics offered will vary year-on-year and may include topics such as GIS, quantitative archaeology, materials analyses, biomolecular archaeology, zooarchaeology, human osteoarchaeology and environmental archaeology. Selected topics will be explored through lectures, seminars and practical/workshop sessions, providing an overview of each research area, its relevance to archaeology, scope, potential and limitations.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Session	First Sub Session	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Online	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Sorry, we don't have a record of any course coordinators.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4
Distance Learning (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

AY3021 Advanced Archaeological Science (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

Building on Level 2 course 'Test Tubes & Trowels', this course aims to provide students with an advanced understanding of core scientific approaches and methodologies utilised in modern archaeology. The course consists of three intensive short-courses on a selection of current archaeological science topics, spanning the natural, chemical, biological, physical and computational sciences. Topics offered will vary year-on-year and may include topics such as GIS, quantitative archaeology, materials analyses, biomolecular archaeology, zooarchaeology, human osteoarchaeology and environmental archaeology. Through lectures/seminars and practical/workshop sessions students will gain an overview of each subject-specialism, its relevance to archaeology, scope, potentials and limitations. Case studies will allow students to access key themes in the archaeological sciences, including the role of scientific methodologies in archaeological research, and how multi-disciplinary scientific approaches can shape our understanding of past lives and societies.

During this course, students will have the opportunity to:

Acquire an enhanced understanding of the role the traditional 'sciences' have in archaeology, and a greater appreciation of the development of the field of archaeological science
Gain a broad knowledge of each of the scientific specialisms studied, and their relevance and applications to archaeological case studies
Gain a critical awareness of the potentials and limitations of selected archaeological science specialisms
Become adept at analysing and evaluating scientific data in archaeological research, and exploring and evaluating scientific archaeological literature

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: In-class practicals and write-ups (60%), 'open book' in-class assessment (40%).

Resit: Re-submission of coursework.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

Detailed written feed-back will be provided for assignments, in the form of feedback sheets with clear marking rubrics and an annotated copy of the student's work. Verbal feedback will be also be provided during practical sessions.

Course Learning Outcomes