Programme Specification
A statement of the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin a
taught programme of study leading to an award from
The University of Sheffield
1
Programme Title
Cultural Materials
2
Programme Code
AAPT153
3
JACS Code
V400
4
Level of Study
Postgraduate
5a
Final Qualification
MA
5b
QAA FHEQ Level
Not applicable
6a
Intermediate Qualification(s)
Not applicable
6b
QAA FHEQ Level
Not applicable
7
Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield)
Not applicable
8
Faculty
Arts & Humanities
9
Department
Archaeology
10
Other Departments providing credit
bearing modules for the programme
None
11
Mode(s) of Attendance
Full-time or Part-time
12
Duration of the Programme
12 Months or 24 Months
13
Accrediting Professional or Statutory
Body
Not applicable
14
Date of production/revision
June 2015
15. Background to the programme and subject area
The Department of Archaeology has delivered a portfolio of successful masters’ courses over the last two
decades. These have grown from 1 to 3 FT (PT) MSc/MAs and it was felt timely to a) rationalise these courses
to 2 b) reflect the close relationship and integration among approaches and programmes by developing a
shared identity and thus stronger brand for marketing purposes. The new course will therefore be known as the
MA in Cultural Materials with streams offered in Material Culture Studies Experimental Archaeology and
Material and Technological Analysis.
Archaeology is the study of the past through material culture – the objects, monuments, landscapes, texts etc.
that human beings have created in the course of the last five million years. The study of Archaeology provides
students with a unique insight into humanity’s place in history and in nature, with an appreciation of human
creativity, and with an awareness of the diversity and difference of human populations in the past. In this way a
degree in Archaeology contributes to the formation of the knowledgeable and tolerant citizen of the 21st century.
In addition, it constitutes one of the principal bases on which the burgeoning ‘heritage industry’ is constructed,
and so contributes to the economic well-being not only of its graduates but also of the country as a whole.
The Department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield is an acknowledged centre of excellence for
teaching and archaeological research. The strong international reputation of our staff, and their involvement in a
wide range of research projects, provide us with the ability to cover the full extent of the investigation of cultural
materials. Our staff bridge the divide between the sciences and humanities, making Sheffield one of the few
departments with the ability to integrate the two approaches in research-led teaching and learning.
The study of Cultural Materials has a well-established role within archaeology and is used across the multitude
of archaeological traditions to establish critical data about the past. Despite the popularity of such approaches,
especially in the heritage industry, cultural materials research remains underdeveloped. The aim of this MA in
Cultural Materials is to provide a structured learning experience where students can explore the practical skills
and develop a critical knowledge to undertake diverse aspects of material Culture Studies. Students will be well
prepared to employ their skills in further research programmes or use them in diverse contexts within the
heritage industry.
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The course builds on the strengths and diversities of staff expertise in this area and delivers a course which
places solid emphasis on acquiring the latest theoretical and practical approaches to cultural materials and
combines this with training in a materials specialisation and period-based or thematic options.
Our Masters programmes are designed primarily for students who wish to pursue advanced independent
research at doctoral level or who wish to take up employment in the ‘heritage industry’. However, in the course
of the programme students acquire Information Technology and general research and presentational skills that
can be applied in a broad range of employment contexts (including teaching, management, University
administration, and IT).
16. Programme aims
Masters programmes offered by the Department of Archaeology have the following general aims which are
consistent with the Department’s general aims and with the Mission Statement of the University of Sheffield:

to offer students a programme of study that is qualitatively different from BA-level study by maximising
opportunities for independent study and reflective practice;

to enable students to increase their knowledge and understanding of the major aspects of a specialism
within the fields of Cultural Materials and to undertake independent analyses of relevant issues in this area;

to enable students to acquire key transferable skills that are applicable both within and outside the
discipline;

to enable students to evaluate whether or not they possess the ability, motivation and interest to pursue a
research degree.
The MA in Cultural Materials has the following specific aim:

to provide specialist research training in Cultural Materials and a platform of knowledge relating to other
aspects of archaeological practice and related areas which enables students to place their specialism
within a broader contexts as to identify the value and role of materials research in modern
archaeological projects.
17. Programme learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
Candidates for PG Cert will have developed:
Knowledge and understanding - upon successful completion of the programme:
K1
Knowledge of the key issues surrounding Material Culture Studies, the use of experimental and analytical
approaches.
K2
Critical understanding of the most important current issues and controversies within Cultural Materials
Research.
K3
A conceptual understanding that enables students to evaluate critically existing programmes of Cultural
Materials research.
Candidates for PG Dip will have developed the above and:
K4
An understanding of the subject which enables students to participate in collaborative study campaigns
relevant to Cultural Materials research.
K5
The ability to identify an area where Cultural Materials research can play an important role in furthering
archaeological understandings.
Candidates for MA will have developed the above and:
K6
An advanced knowledge of the key issues surrounding the use of Cultural Materials research.
K7
A sophisticated understanding of the subject which enables students to undertake independent study
campaigns relevant to Cultural Materials research.
K8
The ability to identify areas where Cultural Materials research can play an important role and to develop
and engage in independent archaeological research.
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Skills and other attributes:
In addition, students achieving a PG Cert will have:
S1
transferable lifetime skills in written and oral communication and in collaborative working.
S2
the ability to develop research programmes to produce data with the aim of examining and resolving
problems using cultural materials and experimental techniques.
S3
the ability to respond constructively to debate and criticism.
S4
skills in effective time management.
S5
the practical skills associated with handling experimental and archaeological materials.
S6
familiarity with a variety of IT skills, encompassing a range of bibliographical, statistical and other
computer programmes and their application, as well as electronic sources for research.
Students achieving a PG Dip will have the above and:
S7
the skill and competence to formulate a research design, to generate and analyse relevant data, and to
interpret the results.
S8
transferable lifetime skills in both independent and collaborative working.
S9
the organisation skills associated with public engagement
Students achieving a MA will have the above and:
S10
the skills needed to begin doctoral research or to take up professional positions in their chosen field.
18. Teaching, learning and assessment
Development of the learning outcomes is promoted through the following teaching and learning
methods:
For Masters, Diploma, and Cert students
Lectures provide in-depth the development and current standing of Cultural Materials from a theoretical
perspective and understanding technological and experimental methods.
Laboratory and/or field classes require students to work alone and in groups. Laboratory-based training in the
handling of archaeological material and design of analytical and experimental protocols for the study of
assemblages emphasises transferable principles and practices. They introduce relevant tools and equipment,
analytical and preparation techniques and computer systems. The practical teaching concentrates on the
specialist skills of handling, identifying and engaging with materials, and the recording and imparting of scientific
information to others through independent and team work.
For Masters and Diploma students
Laboratory and/or field classes provide students with the skills and confidence necessary to carry out the
independent research linked to the extended projects and/or dissertations and to become able practitioners.
For Masters, Diploma, and Cert students
Seminars are student or staff-led and they reinforce and supplement information imparted through lectures and
practical classes. They are used throughout the programme to encourage the oral expression and exchange of
views, to cultivate the ability to respond constructively to the presentation of alternative views and to assess
critically research methodologies. They also provide a forum for students to work co-operatively in the
evaluation of the research issues raised by the teaching. Seminar learning thus contributes to students’
attainment of archaeological knowledge and understanding and to the acquisition of key skills.
Written assignments encourage students to develop their ability to critically evaluate materials and how they are
linked to model building in archaeology. Written assignments also emphasise the need to present coherent and
independent arguments and to support their arguments with appropriate evidence. As both the form and the
length of written assignments vary - from essays, through extended project reports to the dissertation - students
develop a range of learning and time-management strategies in response to them.
For Masters and Diploma students
Written assignments allow for the defining and researching of an appropriate topic and formulating independent
questions, this is essential to the acquisition of archaeological knowledge and understanding.
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For Masters students
Through the dissertation masters students demonstrate their ability to engage in independent and extended
archaeological research and to construct and sustain an argument on the basis of the data collected, presenting
the findings in an extended (15,000 words maximum) piece of writing. Dissertation work, under one-to-one
supervision, allows specialist knowledge to be further extended up to the level required to begin a PhD or
specialist employment and provides an opportunity to use and refine research methodologies defined in
lectures, seminars and practical and field classes to address specific problems through material culture,
experimental and analytical methods.. Teaching and learning methods will rely on a blend of lectures supported
in 50% of modules by practical sessions. Students will be expected to enhance their learning by critiquing
relevant literature and by becoming familiar with the major theoretical and methodological discussions on the
subject. Relevant field trips and practical sessions form an important aspect of the course. Seminars will provide
the opportunity for students to develop and demonstrate their skills in interpreting and discussing the relevance of
data , analytical methods and experimental design
TEACHING
AND
LEARNING
METHODS
Learning outcome
K1
K2
K3
K4
K5
K6
Lectures
x
x
x
x
x
x
Seminars
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
K7
x
K8
S1
S2
S3
S4
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
S5
S6
S7
S8
S9
x
S10
x
Tutorials
Problem
Solving/Examp
le Classes
x
Laboratory
Sessions
Field Work
Independent
Study
(including
preparation for
assessments)
x
x
x
x
x
x
Other Formal
Contact
(please give
details below)
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x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes are provided through the following
assessment methods:
All written assignments are judged against the Department’s marking criteria for work at Masters level and are
expected to be well presented and written (S1), using the advice given in the Department’s Postgraduate
handbook.
For Masters, Diploma, and Cert students
Project reports are used to allow students to show their ability to collect, analyse and present archaeological
data. This allows for the evaluation of learning outcomes K1-K5 and S1-S6. All the practical modules are
assessed through extended project reports that require structured reporting and significant analysis of original
datasets.
Essays allow students to demonstrate familiarity with the relevant theoretical issues and their ability to handle
theoretical and methodological material as well as their critical and analytical capacity. This allows for the
evaluation of learning outcomes K1-9 (where appropriate) and S1 -9. Essays are used as the main form of
assessment in non-practice based modules.
For Masters students
The dissertation (15,000 words maximum) makes it possible to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes
K6-8 and S7-10.
19. Reference points
The learning outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference:

The research interests of departmental staff and the research strategy of the Department of Archaeology;

The Mission Statement of the University of Sheffield, as presented in its Corporate Plan;

The Learning and Teaching Strategy of the University of Sheffield;

The Mas Masters level qualification descriptor contained in the QAA Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications in England Wales and Northern Ireland – January 2001.
20. Programme structure and regulations
The structure of the programme strikes a balance between core units and optional approved units. Core units
are designed to cover key skills and knowledge relevant to materials research in archaeology. There are three
streams built into the course, firstly students can select from a restricted range of specific material-based
options coupled with method and theory options. This allows students to become specialised in Cultural
Materials while developing expertise in specific approaches (Technological Analysis , Material Culture Studies
or Experimemtnal Archaeology). The programme is designed to allow students to develop theoretical
knowledge in lectures and seminars and to balance this with extensive opportunities for practical skills in the
laboratory and field.
All modules carry a weighting of 15 credits with the exception of the dissertation which carries 60 credits.
Intermediate awards are available at PG Cert level and PG Dip, the relevant credits are set out in the table
below.
Programme regulations are appended to this form.
Level
Credits
Postgraduate Certificate
60 credits, at least 40 credits (67%) at level M
Postgraduate Diploma
120 credits, at least 90 credits (75%) at level M
Postgraduate Masters
180 credits, at least 150 credits (80%) at level M
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Detailed information about the structure of programmes, regulations concerning assessment and progression
and descriptions of individual modules are published in the University Calendar available on-line at
http://www.shef.ac.uk/govern/calendar/regs.html.
21. Student development over the course of study
For Masters, Diploma, and Cert students the modules taught in the Semesters 1 and 2 ensure a steady process
of deepening and broadening engagement with the field of cultural materials while allowing an appreciation of
the diversity of approaches utilised within it. Throughout the programme skills are developed so that, by the end
of semester 2, students will have built up expertise in the full range of specialisms offered. For PG Cert students
a limited range of units can be taken whilst for PG Dip students a full range of core and optional units will need
to be taken.
For Masters students, the programme is structured so as to lead up logically to the writing of the dissertation,
the major indicator of successful achievement of learning outcomes. The teaching in semesters 1 and 2
provides the student with an opportunity to select an specific approach that can be developed in depth during
the dissertation through application to a specific archaeological problem. The dissertation is written over the
summer after taught modules have been completed and fully assessed.
22. Criteria for admission to the programme
Applicants would normally be expected to have at least a good 2:1 degree, or the equivalent, in a relevant
discipline (not necessarily archaeology), though graduates with a 2:2 degree are sometimes considered
especially if they have acquired relevant experience since graduating. Applicants from the UK would normally
be required to attend an interview.
Non-native speakers of English should demonstrate adequate English through one of the University approved
tests of EFL or, at the discretion of the Department, by equivalent proof (2-1 or equivalent university marks from
a previous period of study in an English-speaking university; interview and sample of written work).
NB: The above statement should be deleted and replaced with either full details of the admissions
criteria or a URL for where the relevant information can be found on the department’s web site.
23. Additional information
For further information students are directed to the Departmental web pages at:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/archaeology/postgraduate_taught
These provide full details about the content of the Masters degree programme, information about the research
interests of individual members of staff, as well as advice about how to apply and funding opportunities.
This specification represents a concise statement about the main features of the programme and should be
considered alongside other sources of information provided by the teaching department(s) and the University. In
addition to programme specific information, further information about studying at The University of Sheffield can
be accessed via our Student Services web site at http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid.
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