ARMREP: Research and Enterprise Placement

Module code: ARMREP

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

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Rob Hosfield, email: r.hosfield@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 aims to help you apply your academic training within a research and/or enterprise environment. Research placements will provide the opportunity of working with a member of staff on a current project based in the UK or internationally. Enterprise positions would allow you to work with a developer-funded archaeological unit/specialist, consultancy or government organisation to gain experience of professional archaeology. You will also learn some of the main elements that form part of a grant application or commercial tender whilst creating your own project design.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Gain a systematic understanding and appreciation of the research/enterprise working environment;
2. Think critically and analytically about the work carried out on a placement and how it has contributed to the research/enterprise activity;
3. Produce an independent project design (grant application / tender document);
4. Demonstrate planning, cost & time management skills (all forming part of the project design).

Module content

You will be asked to apply for one or more research/enterprise placement opportunities that meet your interests. Once you have been offered and accepted a placement, you will undertake a minimum of 15 days of work (105 hours). Placements must provide you with the opportunity to expand your knowledge and understanding of the research/enterprise working environment, and provide you with situations to develop both your academic/technical expertise and transferable skills. Each placement must be individually approved by the module convenor, with all necessary legal, health and safety documents in place prior to commencement. During the placement you must abide by the rules and regulations of the provider. If you are unable to secure a placement you will be asked to complete an employability portfolio instead of a placement report (see Summative Assessment section below).

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will consist of 15 days (105 hours) of placement experience, the timing of which will be arranged between the student and research/enterprise placement provider. The work content of the placement will be determined by the academic/enterprise organisation with input from the module convenor(s). The placement will be supported by 6 hours of teaching time (in the form of seminars) provided by the module team to outline the requirements of the placement and assignments.

Preparatory reading:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/essentials/careers/placements

Study hours

At least 6 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.

Formative feedback on placement plans and the project design drafts will be provided during the seminars.

Reassessment

Additional costs