ARCH3562: Interdisciplinary Ancient History and Archaeology Dissertation (40 CREDITS)

• Developing Archaeological Research (ARCH2181).

• 20 credits or more of Final Honours modules in Archaeology.

• Any other dissertation module offered by any Board of Studies.

• To significantly develop students' skills in independent research and project management by producing an extended dissertation (12,000 words) on a selected specialist topic that addresses a research question defined within ancient history and archaeology.

• The student will undertake an extended piece of supervised independent research and investigate in depth the approved topic using an appropriate range of desk-based research and/or practical, laboratory and/or field techniques, producing a well-argued and presented report. Students will develop an interdisciplinary approach to the project.
• The student will have an opportunity to reflect on the skills learned in the course of developing, researching, and writing this research project, and their relevance to the student's future career and employability.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• By the end of the module students will have:
• Developed and researched a significant topic defined within archaeology or within ancient history and archaeology.
• Developed a deep knowledge of the specialist area selected capable of reasonably complete treatment within the given word limit.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Production of a detailed research-led report, using a range of core practical and interpretative skills (including analytical, laboratory or field skills).
• Undertaking of research in and reporting on the significant topic, applying the transferable skills listed below.

Key Skills:

• Undertaking independent study and research.
• Effective negotiation (with Supervisor/Advisor).
• Development and execution of a programme of primary research using an interdisciplinary approach.
• Sampling, collection, recording and critical analysis of primary and secondary data as the result of accessing library, museum, archive and/or internet resources.
• Preparation and effective communication of research methods, data, results, interpretations and arguments written and visual form.
• Use of computer and/or information technology to produce a clearly expressed and illustrated report.
• Time management.
• In-depth understanding of the transferable skills gained during the course of developing, researching, and writing the dissertation, and how to incorporate these skills into a CV, cover letter and interview to enhance employability.

• The module is taught through self-guided learning and two workshops towards the end of the project to prepare for the final submission of the dissertation.
• It is assessed through a written dissertation.
• A careers and employability workshop will reflect on skills development during the course of developing, researching, and writing the dissertation, and its relevance to students' future careers and employability. During this workshop, students will make a short oral statement about the subject-specific and transferable skills they learned while working on their dissertation, and will receive oral formative feedback from the tutors and their peers.
• Tutorials will focus on discussion and feedback between a tutor and student, in a relatively informal learning environment, enabling the student to enhance, discuss, question and receive feedback on their knowledge and to gain experience in oral communication.
• Self-guided learning comprises personal study, research, revision and evaluation associated with tutorials and assignments; guided by lecturers, tutors and reading lists of specialist books, articles and web-sites.
• Supervision will be led by a supervisor in Archaeology and supported by an Adviser in the JH department, where the apportionment of tutorials will be agreed depending on the topic (with at least one tutorial given by the Adviser).
• Research is embedded into the teaching of this module through the nature of the dissertation as an inquiry-based activity. Students develop research skills in the specialist area of the dissertation and have the opportunity to acquire a research ethos.
• Lectures may consist of pre-recorded videos and/or live presentations from tutors, and integrate break-out discussions, study exercises and other learning activities as appropriate to the material covered from week to week.

Formative assessment will include oral feedback on short presentations and discussions during the dissertation workshops, employability/transferable skills session, and tutorials.

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