ARMF1: From Excavation to Publication: Professional Practice in Archaeology

Module code: ARMF1

Module provider: Archaeology; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2 / Summer

Module convenor: Ms Amanda Clarke, email: a.s.clarke@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Micro placement

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module offers an introduction to both pre- and post-excavation techniques and allows the student to follow an excavation project through from start to finish. You will plan an excavation from inception - through the creation of a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) - to completion. You will also create a Post-Excavation Site Report, by developing (or building on) your excavation recording skills to produce a dated stratigraphic sequence through the analysis of excavation records. There will be weekly-dedicated training sessions and workshops on how to analyse site data, and incorporate it in to a written site report. Using data from existing projects, you 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 WSI, which will include logistics, methodology, a budget and expected challenges, and a post-excavation Site Report (including a phased matrix). In the summer you will undertake a mini-Placement.  

The module will also include an introduction to the legal and planning policy framework of professional archaeology, as well as how to work with archaeological databases and Historic England Records. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Evaluate the legal and planning policy framework of professional archaeology
2. Recognise the difference between a desk-based assessment, project design (WSI), and Site Report
3. Navigate the process of pre-excavation, excavation (through records) and post excavation
4. Record and analyse stratigraphic matrices
5. Integrate finds and environmental evidence with stratigraphic evidence from an archaeological excavation
6. Demonstrate the ability to phase an archaeological site using spot dates

Module content

You will have 2 x 1 hour lectures each week on different aspects of pre- and post-excavation. Additionally there will be a weekly 1 hour workshop on site records, site publications and data. Optional sampling and data entry workshops will also take place during the term. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This is a practical module utilising records from current excavations. As well as weekly lectures by members of departmental staff, there will be contributions by professional specialists. The module will be taught primarily through lectures, discussion seminars and workshops with a visit to a professional archaeological unit if possible. The module will also include practical sessions.  

Students will undertake a mini-Placement to take place in the summer. 

Study hours

At least 45 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

1. Students will be invited to submit a draft CV outlining their skills and experiences.  
2. Blackboard tests 
3. Feedback from the micro-Placement (each student must undertake a 21 hour Micro-placement in order to pass the module). 

Reassessment

Additional costs