Heritage and Archaeology

Core modules:

Landscapes in archaeology: methods & perspectives

This unit introduces the ways in which researchers have thought about landscape in archaeology and situates these perspectives within the methods that are commonplace in landscape research. Through a mix of lectures, seminars and practicals we will explore a variety of themes that together reflect the broad range of contemporary issues in landscape studies. These approaches will be applied through an analysis of a specific landscape using skills in observational survey, cartographic analysis, archival research and aerial photography gained during the practical classes. The emphasis is upon grasping both the methods and their application to specific archaeological questions.

15 credits

Dissertation

This module requires students to plan, execute and write up an original research project. This dissertation project is chosen with, and approved by, the designated supervisor, who may or may not be the programme director. Dissertation topics must be based on original research and on the students' own ideas: they must be worthwhile, affordable, manageable within time limits, be capable of supervision within the Department and related to the subject matter on the appropriate Masters.

60 credits

Work Placement

The placement scheme is designed to allow students to work alongside practitioners 'in the field', and to get consolidated hands on experience in a subject/technique of particular interest to them. Placements can be in any sphere of professional practice in archaeology or management of the historic environment. Students will be expected to spend a minimum of eight weeks on the placement. The assessment will have two elements: a short account of the placement, and a written project report resulting from an aspect of the work undertaken.

60 credits

Heritage, Place and Community

The aim of this module is to introduce the theory and practice of heritage, conservation and public archaeology. The module will encourage debate on issues that affect how we define and apply the term `heritage'. It also offers an opportunity to focus on the historic `value' of a site or landscape, with an evaluation of how it is currently managed, and strategies for its future conservation and presentation.

15 credits

GIS for Archaeologists

Introduce the principles, methods and data structures employed in the analysis and reconstruction of archaeological landscapes using spatial technologies. Provide hands-on training in the application of ArcGIS in archaeological research and professional practice. Enable students to develop skills in interpretation and problem-solving using GIS. Develop students’ critical understanding of how spatial technologies are used in archaeological research.

15 credits

Digital Cultural Heritage: Theory and Practice

This module examines the theoretical and methodological advances in Digital Cultural Heritage and their
broader implications in fields concerned with the interpretation and presentation of the past. We will draw on
theoretical readings as well as analyse the potential benefits and drawbacks of certain digital and online
approaches. Topics include: principles and theories underlying Digital Cultural Heritage, understanding
processes of creating digital surrogates, establishing principles for user experience, and exploring digital
narratives for public dissemination. A major component of this module will be a semester-long project that will
require the development of a proposal for a digital cultural heritage project.

15 credits

Optional modules:

Reinventing Archaeology

This course will seek to understand how the structure of the modern practice of archaeology has come about and how changes in working methods and theoretical perspective may reconfigure the discipline. Reference will be made to the debates in method and theory and the relationships among certain specialisms. Students will develop, and to be able to express, their understanding of the discipline and the current and future position of their own ambitions.

15 credits

Heritage, History and Identity

This module highlights the diversity of cultural heritage, ranging from cultural and ‘natural’ landscapes, through monuments to music, dress, cuisine, ‘traditional’ crafts, and language and dialect. It explores the role of these various forms of heritage in shaping local, regional and national identity; the extent to which they reflect or misrepresent local, regional and national history; the legal and ethical issues surrounding conservation and preservation of heritage; and how study of ‘traditional’ lifeways may contribute to understanding of history.

15 credits

Landscape Survey Project

This module offers advanced field and lab training in aerial mapping, measured and geophysical survey, including the use of total station and GPS instruments. The module is taught through a seven-day field course on a 'live' research project (in previous years this was residential and based in North Wales).

30 credits

Later Neolithic & Bronze Age Britain & Ireland

The module introduces the prehistory of Britain during the Neolithic and Bronze Age - roughly 4000-750 BC. This period witnessed dramatic and lasting changes in the constitution of society, the formation of the landscape, and the meanings of material culture. These changes included the adoption of agriculture, the construction of major ceremonial monuments such as Stonehenge, the flourishing and decline of novel burial rites, the development of metallurgy, and the widespread enclosure of the countryside into field systems. Through lectures and small-group activities and discussion, we will consider the major themes, sites and artefacts that have dominated archaeological narratives of the period. Along the way we will review many of the less well-known regions and assemblages, and debate new ways of interpreting social change. The module includes a day-long fieldtrip to visit key later prehistoric landscapes in our region.

15 credits

Dynamic Landscapes: Investigating ancient environments

This module enhances postgraduate students' understanding of the ways in which archaeologists reconstruct past environments. Through a combination of different learning experiences (lectures, student-led seminars, practical classes and directed independent study) students will explore a variety of contemporary and ancient environments as well as enhance their understanding of the methods and professional standards of environmental reconstruction. Seminars and assessments will encourage students to apply the concepts and methods introduced in the module to their specific areas of interest. The module will enable students from different postgraduate degree programmes to develop an understanding of environmental analysis that is relevant to their own research interests.This module introduces the ways in which archaeologists reconstruct past environments. Through a combination of different learning experiences (lectures, student-led seminars, practical classes and directed independent study) students will explore a variety of contemporary and ancient environments as well as enhance their understanding of the methods and professional standards of environmental reconstruction. Seminars and assessments will encourage students to apply the concepts and methods introduced in the module to their specific areas of interest. Emphasis is upon the most common analytical techniques. The intent is to provide a working knowledge of many techniques, and awareness of others, which require a mor

15 credits

Core modules:

Landscapes in archaeology: methods & perspectives

This unit introduces the ways in which researchers have thought about landscape in archaeology and situates these perspectives within the methods that are commonplace in landscape research. Through a mix of lectures, seminars and practicals we will explore a variety of themes that together reflect the broad range of contemporary issues in landscape studies. These approaches will be applied through an analysis of a specific landscape using skills in observational survey, cartographic analysis, archival research and aerial photography gained during the practical classes. The emphasis is upon grasping both the methods and their application to specific archaeological questions.

15 credits

Dissertation

This module requires students to plan, execute and write up an original research project. This dissertation project is chosen with, and approved by, the designated supervisor, who may or may not be the programme director. Dissertation topics must be based on original research and on the students' own ideas: they must be worthwhile, affordable, manageable within time limits, be capable of supervision within the Department and related to the subject matter on the appropriate Masters.

60 credits

Mediterranean Landscapes

This module, based on lectures and seminars, explores the interaction between human societies and physical landscapes in the Mediterranean region through time. It covers how we investigate change and continuity in physical and cultural landscapes, how Mediterranean landscapes have been exploited and understood in various different ways by humans throughout history and how the particular forms of Mediterranean landscapes that exist today have come into being.The aim of this module is to explore the interaction between human societies and physical landscapes in the Mediterranean region through time. It covers how we investigate change and continuity in landscapes, how Mediterranean landscapes have been exploited and understood in various different ways by humans throughout history and how the particular forms of Mediterranean landscapes that exist today have come into being. The objective is for students to be able to understand how landscapes are studied and critically to evaluate archaeological reconstructions of human-landscape interactions through time.

15 credits

Work Placement

The placement scheme is designed to allow students to work alongside practitioners 'in the field', and to get consolidated hands on experience in a subject/technique of particular interest to them. Placements can be in any sphere of professional practice in archaeology or management of the historic environment. Students will be expected to spend a minimum of eight weeks on the placement. The assessment will have two elements: a short account of the placement, and a written project report resulting from an aspect of the work undertaken.

60 credits

Heritage, Place and Community

The aim of this module is to introduce the theory and practice of heritage, conservation and public archaeology. The module will encourage debate on issues that affect how we define and apply the term `heritage'. It also offers an opportunity to focus on the historic `value' of a site or landscape, with an evaluation of how it is currently managed, and strategies for its future conservation and presentation.

15 credits

GIS for Archaeologists

Introduce the principles, methods and data structures employed in the analysis and reconstruction of archaeological landscapes using spatial technologies. Provide hands-on training in the application of ArcGIS in archaeological research and professional practice. Enable students to develop skills in interpretation and problem-solving using GIS. Develop students’ critical understanding of how spatial technologies are used in archaeological research.

15 credits

Landscape Survey Project

This module offers advanced field and lab training in aerial mapping, measured and geophysical survey, including the use of total station and GPS instruments. The module is taught through a seven-day field course on a 'live' research project (in previous years this was residential and based in North Wales).

30 credits

Optional modules:

Heritage, History and Identity

This module highlights the diversity of cultural heritage, ranging from cultural and ‘natural’ landscapes, through monuments to music, dress, cuisine, ‘traditional’ crafts, and language and dialect. It explores the role of these various forms of heritage in shaping local, regional and national identity; the extent to which they reflect or misrepresent local, regional and national history; the legal and ethical issues surrounding conservation and preservation of heritage; and how study of ‘traditional’ lifeways may contribute to understanding of history.

15 credits

Later Neolithic & Bronze Age Britain & Ireland

The module introduces the prehistory of Britain during the Neolithic and Bronze Age - roughly 4000-750 BC. This period witnessed dramatic and lasting changes in the constitution of society, the formation of the landscape, and the meanings of material culture. These changes included the adoption of agriculture, the construction of major ceremonial monuments such as Stonehenge, the flourishing and decline of novel burial rites, the development of metallurgy, and the widespread enclosure of the countryside into field systems. Through lectures and small-group activities and discussion, we will consider the major themes, sites and artefacts that have dominated archaeological narratives of the period. Along the way we will review many of the less well-known regions and assemblages, and debate new ways of interpreting social change. The module includes a day-long fieldtrip to visit key later prehistoric landscapes in our region.

15 credits

Dynamic Landscapes: Investigating ancient environments

This module enhances postgraduate students' understanding of the ways in which archaeologists reconstruct past environments. Through a combination of different learning experiences (lectures, student-led seminars, practical classes and directed independent study) students will explore a variety of contemporary and ancient environments as well as enhance their understanding of the methods and professional standards of environmental reconstruction. Seminars and assessments will encourage students to apply the concepts and methods introduced in the module to their specific areas of interest. The module will enable students from different postgraduate degree programmes to develop an understanding of environmental analysis that is relevant to their own research interests.This module introduces the ways in which archaeologists reconstruct past environments. Through a combination of different learning experiences (lectures, student-led seminars, practical classes and directed independent study) students will explore a variety of contemporary and ancient environments as well as enhance their understanding of the methods and professional standards of environmental reconstruction. Seminars and assessments will encourage students to apply the concepts and methods introduced in the module to their specific areas of interest. Emphasis is upon the most common analytical techniques. The intent is to provide a working knowledge of many techniques, and awareness of others, which require a mor

15 credits

Mediterranean Landscapes

This module, based on lectures and seminars, explores the interaction between human societies and physical landscapes in the Mediterranean region through time. It covers how we investigate change and continuity in physical and cultural landscapes, how Mediterranean landscapes have been exploited and understood in various different ways by humans throughout history and how the particular forms of Mediterranean landscapes that exist today have come into being.The aim of this module is to explore the interaction between human societies and physical landscapes in the Mediterranean region through time. It covers how we investigate change and continuity in landscapes, how Mediterranean landscapes have been exploited and understood in various different ways by humans throughout history and how the particular forms of Mediterranean landscapes that exist today have come into being. The objective is for students to be able to understand how landscapes are studied and critically to evaluate archaeological reconstructions of human-landscape interactions through time.

15 credits

Core modules:

Landscapes in archaeology: methods & perspectives

This unit introduces the ways in which researchers have thought about landscape in archaeology and situates these perspectives within the methods that are commonplace in landscape research. Through a mix of lectures, seminars and practicals we will explore a variety of themes that together reflect the broad range of contemporary issues in landscape studies. These approaches will be applied through an analysis of a specific landscape using skills in observational survey, cartographic analysis, archival research and aerial photography gained during the practical classes. The emphasis is upon grasping both the methods and their application to specific archaeological questions.

15 credits

Dissertation

This module requires students to plan, execute and write up an original research project. This dissertation project is chosen with, and approved by, the designated supervisor, who may or may not be the programme director. Dissertation topics must be based on original research and on the students' own ideas: they must be worthwhile, affordable, manageable within time limits, be capable of supervision within the Department and related to the subject matter on the appropriate Masters.

60 credits

Work Placement

The placement scheme is designed to allow students to work alongside practitioners 'in the field', and to get consolidated hands on experience in a subject/technique of particular interest to them. Placements can be in any sphere of professional practice in archaeology or management of the historic environment. Students will be expected to spend a minimum of eight weeks on the placement. The assessment will have two elements: a short account of the placement, and a written project report resulting from an aspect of the work undertaken.

60 credits

Heritage, History and Identity

This module highlights the diversity of cultural heritage, ranging from cultural and ‘natural’ landscapes, through monuments to music, dress, cuisine, ‘traditional’ crafts, and language and dialect. It explores the role of these various forms of heritage in shaping local, regional and national identity; the extent to which they reflect or misrepresent local, regional and national history; the legal and ethical issues surrounding conservation and preservation of heritage; and how study of ‘traditional’ lifeways may contribute to understanding of history.

15 credits

Heritage, Place and Community

The aim of this module is to introduce the theory and practice of heritage, conservation and public archaeology. The module will encourage debate on issues that affect how we define and apply the term `heritage'. It also offers an opportunity to focus on the historic `value' of a site or landscape, with an evaluation of how it is currently managed, and strategies for its future conservation and presentation.

15 credits

Digital Cultural Heritage: Theory and Practice

This module examines the theoretical and methodological advances in Digital Cultural Heritage and their
broader implications in fields concerned with the interpretation and presentation of the past. We will draw on
theoretical readings as well as analyse the potential benefits and drawbacks of certain digital and online
approaches. Topics include: principles and theories underlying Digital Cultural Heritage, understanding
processes of creating digital surrogates, establishing principles for user experience, and exploring digital
narratives for public dissemination. A major component of this module will be a semester-long project that will
require the development of a proposal for a digital cultural heritage project.

15 credits

Optional modules:

GIS for Archaeologists

Introduce the principles, methods and data structures employed in the analysis and reconstruction of archaeological landscapes using spatial technologies. Provide hands-on training in the application of ArcGIS in archaeological research and professional practice. Enable students to develop skills in interpretation and problem-solving using GIS. Develop students’ critical understanding of how spatial technologies are used in archaeological research.

15 credits

Landscape Survey Project

This module offers advanced field and lab training in aerial mapping, measured and geophysical survey, including the use of total station and GPS instruments. The module is taught through a seven-day field course on a 'live' research project (in previous years this was residential and based in North Wales).

30 credits

Heritage, Museum and Field: Archaeology in Practice

This module introduces graduate students to the field-based research skills necessary for the completion of their MA dissertation in archaeology. Students will undertake a two week placement (2 x 6 working days) in a museum, archive, laboratory, or excavation, the choice of which must be approved by the course director. The placement must link directly to the dissertation, and will involve the acquisition of research skills necessary to complete the dissertation, and may also involve the collection of research materials for the dissertation.

15 credits

Dynamic Landscapes: Investigating ancient environments

This module enhances postgraduate students' understanding of the ways in which archaeologists reconstruct past environments. Through a combination of different learning experiences (lectures, student-led seminars, practical classes and directed independent study) students will explore a variety of contemporary and ancient environments as well as enhance their understanding of the methods and professional standards of environmental reconstruction. Seminars and assessments will encourage students to apply the concepts and methods introduced in the module to their specific areas of interest. The module will enable students from different postgraduate degree programmes to develop an understanding of environmental analysis that is relevant to their own research interests.This module introduces the ways in which archaeologists reconstruct past environments. Through a combination of different learning experiences (lectures, student-led seminars, practical classes and directed independent study) students will explore a variety of contemporary and ancient environments as well as enhance their understanding of the methods and professional standards of environmental reconstruction. Seminars and assessments will encourage students to apply the concepts and methods introduced in the module to their specific areas of interest. Emphasis is upon the most common analytical techniques. The intent is to provide a working knowledge of many techniques, and awareness of others, which require a mor

15 credits