AR3F1-Post-Excavation: assessment, analysis & publication in the profession

Module Provider: Archaeology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: AR2F12 Archaeology Fieldschool Single Honours or AR2F13 Archaeology Fieldschool Joint Honours
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Ms Amanda Clarke
Email: a.s.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module offers a practical introduction to post excavation techniques, building on the practical excavation and recording skills gained at the Archaeology Field School. Through the analysis of the records of a departmental excavation, students will learn how to create a dated stratigraphic sequence as part of a post-excavation site report. There will be weekly-dedicated training sessions and workshops to teach students how to analyse site data, and incorporate it in to a written site report, as well as providing them with skills for employment in professional archaeology. Using data from departmental projects, students will learn how to use a Geographic Information System (GIS) to create maps, as part of the site report. Assessment will be by the production of a post-excavation site report (including a phased matrix) and a mock interview for a job in a professional organisation, based on a CV and Cover letter.

The module will also include introduction to the legal and planning policy framework of professional archaeology, preparation of a Written Scheme of Investigation and working with archaeological databases and Historic England Records.

Aims:

This module aims to provide the student with an experience of post excavation techniques, which will help prepare them for employment with professional archaeological units and could provide a basis for museum and heritage careers.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able:

• to understand the legal and planning policy framework of commercial archaeology


• to understand the process of pre-excavation, excavation and post excavation


• to record and analyse stratigraphic matrices


• to integrate the finds and environmental evidence with the stratigraphic evidence from an archaeological excavation


• to phase anarchaeological site using spot dates


• to prepare a report on an archaeological site investigation incorporating illustrations and photographs


• to work with an archaeological database


• to work as part of a team


• to evaluate their own practical performance and understanding


• to understand the range of archaeological workplaces and the skills needed to write a CV and cover letter, and conduct themselves at a job interview.

Additional outcomes:

Students will also be able:

• to develop their IT awareness by working with and using an on-site archaeological database (IADB).


• to prepare a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI)


• to have a working knowledge of traditional and digital publishing

Outline content:

At the start of the Spring Term students will attend a session on careers and employment within professional archaeology. There will be 1 x 2 hour workshop on CV’s, Cover Letters and interview skills where students will be required to bring in their CV’s for comment and feedback.

Students will have 2 x 1 hour lectures each week on different aspects of post excavation. Additionally there will be a 2- hour workshop/practical session each week where the students will gain practical experience of working with site records, site publications and data. Optional sampling and data entry workshops will also take place during the term.

Global context:

This is a highly vocational module which will provide students with skills useful in professional archaeological employment worldwide. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This is a practical module utilising records from current departmental excavations. As well as weekly lectures by members of departmental staff, there will be contributions by professional specialists. Students will also reflect on their learning experience by reference to their Archaeology Skills Passport. This will allow students the opportunity not only to monitor the different post excavation skills gained, but also to critically assess their own performance. The module will be taught pri marily through lectures, discussion seminars and workshops. The module will also include practical sessions. The module fieldtrip is to a professional archaeology unit.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		24
Practicals classes and workshops		18
External visits		4
Work-based learning		12
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		23
Wider reading (directed)		23
Advance preparation for classes		12
Preparation for performance		12
Essay preparation		60
Reflection		12
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	90
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Using the data from a departmental excavation (contexts, plans, sections, lists of finds and samples, photographs etc) students will produce a Site Report of up to 3000 words (60%), which will include photographs, illustrations, a phased matrix (10%) and a GIS map (20%). To be submitted Week 11 Spring Term (90%)

Students will be asked to apply for a role in a professional archaeology organisation (Job Descriptions and Person Specifications will be supplied). They will submit a targeted CV and a Cover Letter in Week 7 Spring Term for formative feedback, and will attend a mock job interview in Week 11 Spring Term (10%).

Formative assessment methods:

Students will keep their Archaeology Skills Passport up-to-date, as a reflection of skills gained. Students will create/add to their professional portfolios.

Students will work in groups during the workshops to carry out pieces of work for feedback, including a Database quiz.

Students will submit their CV and Cover letter in Week 7 Spring Term for feedback and comment; students will be encouraged to work with Careers throughout the Spring term for guidance on the application process.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework on dates set by the Department. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023