MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Archaeological Practice 3
AQ303
10 Credits
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
X
Level 7
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
AQ221
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Co-requisite modules
N/A
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
Other
Pattern of delivery
Weekly
When module is delivered
Brief description of module
content and/ or aims
Overview (max 80 words)
Module team/ author/
coordinator(s)
School
Site/ campus where
delivered
X
Distance
Block
Placement X
X
Other
Online
Excavation Dig
Semester 1
X
Semester 2
Throughout year
Other
This module is a compulsory module for the Archaeology and Geography
degree. In this module students are required to take a placement on
Archaeological Fieldwork for a minimum of 2 continuous weeks, in the
summer between levels 5 and 6. On returning to Semester 1 at Level 6 a
series of classes will cover the key aspects of writing up an
archaeological excavation. The students are then required to produce to
an extended report of the excavation they were involved in, which will be
the assessment for the module. The aim of this module is to develop the
students archaeological skills base both through practical field experience
of excavation and writing up of an archaeological excavation.
Dr Chris Carey (CC)
SET
Moulescoomb
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
BSc Archaeology and Geography
BSc Geography with Archaeology
BSc Geography
BA Geography
BSc Environmental Sciences
BSc Geography with Geo-informatics
BSc Geology
BSc Physical Geography and Geology
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2014
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
Compulsory
Optional
Optional
Optional
Optional
Optional
Optional
Optional
BSc Earth and Ocean Science
BSc Environmental Hazards
Optional
Optional
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
The aim of this module is to develop the students archaeological skills
through both practical field excavation and the writing up of an
archaeological excavation. The writing up of the excavation will be an
extended archaeological report developing skills in post excavation
analysis and presentation.
Learning outcomes
Having successfully completed the module, students will be able to:
1. Independently undertake practical field excavation and survey.
2. Construct a stratigraphic analysis of archaeological excavation
data and understand the limitations of the data.
3. Undertake archaeological analysis and presentation through
writing a report and preparing a presentation on their
excavation.
4. Critically assess how an archaeological narrative is constructed
from field excavation data.
Content
The students are required to undertake a block of archaeological
fieldwork between levels 5 and 6 in the summer. This fieldwork will
normally consist of archaeological excavation for a minimum of two
weeks. The location and period of the archaeological excavation is the
students choice. Throughout the archaeological fieldwork students will
need to keep a journal, take photographs, etc of the fieldwork. On
return to the University at Level 6 the students will be required to write
an archaeological report on the excavation including drawing up
sections and plans, using archaeological photographs and undertaking
a stratigraphic analysis of the data. This data has then to be
interpreted to produce an archaeological narrative. Students are
required to produce an extended report detailing the results and
interpretation of their excavation.
Learning support
Recommended books for the course
Indicative archaeological text books:
Andrews, C. 1991. Management of Archaeological Projects (MAP2).
English Heritage.
Collis, J. 2004. Digging up the Past. Sutton.
Cronyn, J. 1995. The Elements of Archaeological Conservation.
Routledge London.
Drewett, P. 2011. Field Archaeology: An Introduction. Routledge.
Evans, J.G. & O’Connor, T. 1999. Environmental Archaeology:
Principles and Methods. Sutton.
Renfrew, C. and Bahn, P. 2012. Archaeology: Theories, Methods and
Practice. 5th edition. Thames & Hudson.
Shanks, M and Tilley, C. 1992. Re-constructing archaeology Theory
and Practice 2nd Edition. Routledge London.
Indicative sources of archaeological excavation:
 Within department (CC/JC)
 Council for British Archaeology
 Sussex Archaeological Society
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2014

The Prehistoric Society
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
This module is mainly field based excavation with some guided study
when the students return to University to enable them to fulfil the
production of their extended reports.
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Study hours
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
SCHEDULED
2 x 2 hour classes – support for writing up the
archaeological excavation
4 hours
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
Independent working/reading
26 hours
PLACEMENT
2 weeks continuous fieldwork
(10 days, 7 hours per day)
70 hours
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
100
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment on
this module
This module has a single assessment with an extended report on the
archaeological fieldwork undertaken.
Coursework I: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Types of assessment task1
% weighting
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for
progression.
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
COURSEWORK
An extended report (3000 words) describing and
interpreting the archaeological fieldwork
100%
PRACTICAL
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
Geography and Geology
Refer to University for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Naomi Holmes
Senior Lecturer University of
Northampton
01/09/2014
01/09/2018
1 Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2014
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
April 2015
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for this
version
April 2015
Version number
1
Modules replaced
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2014
Yes
X
No