Programme Specification (Undergraduate) Date amended: March 2013 1. Programme Title(s) and UCAS code(s): BA Archaeology V400 BA Archaeology with a Year Abroad 2. Awarding body or institution: University of Leicester 3. a) Mode of study: Full-time or part-time b) Type of study: Campus-based 4. Registration periods: The minimum period of registration is 3 years full-time / 4 years part-time The maximum period of registration is 5 years full-time / 7 years part-time 5. Typical entry requirements: BBB at A-level 6. Accreditation of Prior Learning: Direct entry to level 2 is possible, based on level 1 qualifications in a relevant subject or subjects, or equivalent qualifications or experience, and with the approval of the School of Archaeology & Ancient History. 7. Programme aims: The programme aims to provide a rigorous, coherent and attractive curriculum that draws on the research expertise and teaching strengths of the School of Archaeology and Ancient History, provide a stimulating and challenging learning experience for all students; develop students knowledge and understanding of the full chronological and geographical range of their discipline; develop students abilities to apply archaeological theories, techniques, and concepts to analyse and explain specific periods and themes in Archaeology; enable students to demonstrate a variety of approaches used by archaeologists to understand past societies; enable students to develop and demonstrate a range of skills necessary for the study of Archaeology; enable students to develop and demonstrate a range of transferable skills necessary for successful career development and a lifetime of effective independent learning.
8. Reference points used to inform the programme specification: QAA Benchmarking Statement for Archaeology http://www.qaa.ac.uk/crntwork/benchmark/archaeology.pdf QAA Subject Review https://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/reports/subjectlevel/q485_01_textonly.htm University of Leicester Learning and Teaching Strategy http://www.le.ac.uk/teaching/pdf/strategy/lts2002.pdf University of Leicester Periodic Review Reports First Destination Survey Graduate Survey External Examiners reports 9. Programme Outcomes: Intended Learning Teaching and learning How demonstrated Outcomes methods (a) Discipline specific knowledge and competencies (i) Mastery of an appropriate body of knowledge Demonstrate mastery of an appropriate body of archaeological knowledge research, resource-based learning (ii) Understanding and application of key concepts and techniques Demonstrate understanding of the complexity of reconstructing the past, the problematic and varied nature of archaeological evidence Demonstrate a variety of approaches to understanding, constructing and interpreting the past Demonstrate comprehension of and practice in a variety of archaeological practical techniques (iii) Critical analysis of key issues Compare and analyse the development of different societies and cultures Analyse past human societies through the assessment of continuity and change over extended time spans Reflect critically on the nature and theoretical basis research, computer practical classes, team problem solving Tutorials, seminars, independent research, computer practical classes, team problem solving Field school and survey and excavation experience research, team problem solving research, team problem solving Tutorials, seminars, directed reading, independent research, Essays, short-answer, multiple choice and essay-based examinations, a dissertation, seminar presentations, contributions to discussions, oral presentations, problem-based Essays, short-answer and essaybased examinations, dissertations, seminar presentations, contributions to discussions, computer-based and projects, problembased Participation in Field School and Field Placement and completion of Fieldwork Reports Essays, short-answer and essaybased examinations, seminar presentations, independent research projects, contributions to discussions, problem-based
Intended Learning Outcomes Teaching and learning methods of Archaeology as a team problem solving discipline (iv) Clear and concise presentation of material Present archaeological problems and arguments in a variety of written and oral formats research, team problem solving (v) Critical appraisal of evidence with appropriate insight Develop and sustain archaeological arguments, formulating appropriate questions and utilising evidence Read, analyse, and reflect critically archaeological source materials and their contexts, and on the variety of such sources research, team problem solving Tutorials, seminars, directed reading, independent research, computer-aided learning, computer practical classes, team problem solving (vi) Other discipline specific competencies Design, research, and Independent research present a sustained and independently conceived piece of writing about an archaeological problem (b) Transferable skills (i) Oral communication Demonstrate clarity, fluency and coherence in oral expression of archaeological issues Participate effectively in group discussions (ii) Written communication Develop and sustain arguments in a variety of literary forms Demonstrate clarity, fluency and coherence in written expression of historical and archaeological issues (iii) Information technology Use IT effectively to support their studies, including using IT for bibliographic and archive searches at national and local level, data analysis and written/visual presentation of evidence Seminars, tutorials, team problem-solving Seminars, tutorials, team problem-solving Seminars, tutorials, independent research Induction programme, computer practical classes, independent research How demonstrated Writing tasks (including examinations); seminar presentations; contributions to discussions; dissertations Essays; essay-based examinations, seminar presentations; independent research projects; contributions to discussions; problem-based ; dissertations Independent research projects; a dissertation; fieldwork reports Seminar presentations, contributions to discussions, assessed and non-assessed oral presentations Essays, essay-based examinations, seminar presentations, independent research projects (including group projects), contributions to discussions, a dissertation Coursework; independent research projects; computerbased ; problem-based
Intended Learning Outcomes (iv) Numeracy Analyse archaeological data using statistical and graphical techniques (v) Team working Be able to work collaboratively to explore archaeological issues and arguments and to recognise the value of working closely with others (vi) Problem solving Address archaeological problems in depth using contemporary text and material sources and advanced secondary literature (vii) Information handling Gather and deploy evidence and data to find, retrieve, sort and exchange information and interpretations (viii) Skills for lifelong learning Demonstrate intellectual independence through the setting of research tasks and the solving of historical and archaeological problems Reflect upon own learning and achievements and plan for personal, educational and career development Teaching and learning methods Seminars, lectures, IT practical classes; fieldwork Tutorials, seminars, team problem-solving, field school, excavation training Tutorials, seminars, team problem-solving Tutorials, seminars, directed reading, independent research, computer practical classes, team problem solving All of the above, particularly independent research Tutorials, career development programmes, resource based learning, personal development planning programme How demonstrated Research projects; computerbased (databases and spreadsheets); problem-based ; fieldwork reports Seminar presentations, contributions to discussions, contributions to team problem solving, fieldwork project reports Essays, independent research projects, computer-based, problem-based Essays, independent research projects, computer-based, problem-based ; dissertations All of the above, particularly the dissertation and the second year group project Portfolio, curriculum vitae 10. Progression points: Not applicable 11. Special features: The student learning experience is enhanced in both Schools by a commitment to synergy between research and teaching. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, 65% of outputs submitted by Archaeology & Ancient History were graded either 4* (world-leading) or 3* (internationally excellent), the highest two classes.
12. Indications of programme quality The School of Archaeology and Ancient History received the maximum mark of 24 in the latest QAA quality assurance review, in November 2001. In the last published results of the National Student Survey (NSS), The School of Archaeology and Ancient History scored 97%. Graduates of this degree programme take postgraduate taught courses and pursue research degrees at Leicester and many other universities. Many take master s courses at Leicester or elsewhere; many have entered teaching or archaeological careers; and many enter graduate employment soon after graduation. Appendix 1: Programme structure (programme regulations) BA ARCHAEOLOGY FIRST YEAR MODULES During their degree course, Joint Honours students are normally required to complete a total of 6 weeks of fieldwork (including the Level 1 Fieldschool) to the satisfaction of the School. SEMESTER 1 AR1004 Introduction to World Archaeology BC 20 AR1007 Archaeology: the Essentials 10 AR1009 Practical Aims and Methods in Archaeology 10 Supplementary Subject 20 SEMESTER 2 AR1005 Introduction to World Archaeology AD 20 AR1008 Using Archaeological Evidence 10 AR1010 Archaeological Research 20 AR1011 Fieldschool 10 SECOND YEAR MODULES SEMESTER 1 AR2036 Professional Skills 20 Optional Modules 40 credits of approved options in Archaeology: 40 AR2008 Environmental Archaeology (20) AR2032 The Archaeology of Prehistory from Foragers to Farmers (20) AR2033 Iron Age and Roman Archaeology (20) SEMESTER 2
AR2028 Archaeological Survey and Geomatics 20 AR2029 Theory and Archaeology 20 Optional Modules 20 credits of approved options in Archaeology: 20 AR2031 Artefact Analysis (20) AR2034 From Monks to Modernity: Medieval and Post-Medieval Archaeology (20) AR2035 Archaeology of the Mediterranean: From the Late Bronze Age to the (20) End of Antiquity AR2042 Towards Modernity: Postmedieval and Historical Archaeology (20) THIRD YEAR MODULES SEMESTER 1 AR3059 Dissertation I 20 Optional Modules 40 credits of approved Archaeology options 40 AH3060 Households and Domesticity in the Ancient World (20) AH3062 Classical Art in Context (20) AR3001 The Origins of Modern Humans (20) AR3012 Early Christian Europe (20) AR3016 Archaeobotany (20) AR3017 Archaeozoology (20) AR3047 Archaeologies of Space and Place (20) AR3074 European Bodies in Prehistory and History (20) AR3077 Africa in the Roman Empire (20) SEMESTER 2 AR3060 Dissertation II 20 Optional Modules 40 credits of approved Archaeology options 40 AR3007 Forensic Archaeology (20) AR3023 Ceramic Technology (20) AR3054 Warfare, Conflict and Violence in Antiquity (20) AR3068 Roman Settlement and Society in North West Europe (20) AR3070 Archaeology/Ancient History in Education (20) AR3073 The Archaeology of Culture contact and Colonialism in North America (20) AR3075 The Archaeology of World Religion (20) AR3076 Human Skeletal Analysis (20) AR3078 Origins of Agriculture (20) The course for the B.A. degree in Archaeology may also be taken on a part-time basis over not less than four and not more than eight academic years including periods of suspension. Part-time students are expected to take 120 credits at level 1, 120 credits at level 2 and 120 credits at level 3. In any one year a part-time student must take a minimum of 40 and a maximum of 80 credits.
Modules must be selected in accordance with the regulations for the full time B.A. Archaeology degree. Transfer between part-time and full-time modes is subject to the approval of the head of school. Exceptionally an approved AH module may be substituted for an AR module. BA ARCHAEOLOGY WITH A YEAR ABROAD FIRST, SECOND AND FOURTH YEAR MODULES As for the first, second and third year of the BA Archaeology degree. Students who intend to study at a European Union partner institution in their third year are required to pursue relevant language classes with the Language Services Unit during their second year. THIRD YEAR MODULES Year abroad spent in the European Union: in this year students join the partner university in the European Union. Current partner institutions of the School of Archaeology and Ancient History are: Aarhus Universitet (Denmark); Gotland University College, Visby (Sweden); Università degli Studi di Bologna (Italy); Università degli Studi di Pisa (Italy), Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (Netherlands); University of Malta (Malta), University of Freiburg (Germany), University of Athens (Greece) and Universitat de Valencia (Spain). An equivalent range of courses to 120 Leicester credits is approved and followed and assessed by the host department. This normally includes a language module. Year abroad spent in North America: in this year students join the partner university at Calgary; an equivalent range of courses to 120 Leicester credits is approved and followed and assessed by the host department. Year abroad spent in Australia: in this year students join the partner university at Flinders, but commence this only after the close of Semester One of the final year at Leicester. An equivalent range of courses to 120 Leicester credits is approved and followed and assessed by the host department. Appendix 2: Module specifications See module specification database http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/sas2/courses/documentation Appendix 3: Skills matrix
Programme Specification Appendix 2 Skills Matrix: BA Archaeology V 400 Date amended: January 2004 Programme Learning Outcomes AR1004 Introduction to World Archaeology BC AR1007 Archaeology: the essentials AR1009 Practical Aims and Methods 1 AR1005 Introduction to World Archaeology AD AR1008 Using Archaeological Evidence AR1010 Archaeological Research Supplementary subject AR1011 Fieldschool AR2032-2035 Arch Options Level 2 AR2029 Theory and Archaeology AR2036 Professional Skills AR2030 Dissertation Workbook AR3044 Fieldschool B AR3001-58 Archaeology Level 3 Options AR3000 Archaeology Dissertation (a) Discipline specific knowledge and competencies (vi) Other discipline specific competencies Design, research and present a sustained and independently conceived piece of archaeological writing x x x x (b) Transferable skills (i) Oral communication Demonstrate clarity, fluency and coherence in oral expression of archaeological issues x x x x x Participate effectively in group discussions x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x (ii) Written communication Develop and sustain archaeological arguments in a variety of literary forms x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Demonstrate clarity, fluency and coherence in written expression of archaeological issues x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x (iii) Information technology Use IT to effectively support archaeological studies, including using IT for bibliographic and archive searches at national and local level, data analysis and written/visual presentation of evidence x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x (iv) Numeracy Analyse archaeological data using statistical and graphical techniques x x x x (v) Team working Be able to work collaboratively jointly to explore archaeological issues and arguments and to recognise the value of working closely with others x x x x x x x x x x (vi) Problem solving Address archaeological problems in depth using contemporary text and material sources and advanced secondary literature x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x (vii) Information handling Gather and deploy evidence and data to find, retrieve, sort and exchange new information x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x (viii) Skills for lifelong learning Demonstrate intellectual independence through the setting of research tasks and the solving of archaeological problems x x x x x x x Reflect upon own learning and achievements and plan for personal, education and career development x x x x x