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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of History, Classics and Archaeology : Archaeology

Undergraduate Course: Archaeology Dissertation (ARCA10040)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of History, Classics and Archaeology CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate)
Course typeDissertation AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits40 ECTS Credits20
SummaryThe Archaeology Dissertation is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to undertake a significant piece of self-directed enquiry and to present a coherent and well-presented dissertation.
Course description The subject matter is selected by the student in consultation with a member of staff. A dissertation proposal is submitted at the end of semester 2 in year 3 as part of Theoretical Archaeology.
The student should meet with the his/her supervisor at the beginning of semester 1, year 4, and present an outline including:
the title
a definition of the research question and its context
an indication of sources of evidence and resources
an account of the methods/theories you intend to employ;
a preliminary list of chapter headings with a concise indication of the content of each one;
a preliminary bibliography (at least 10 items, correctly formatted).


The final year dissertation in Archaeology is an opportunity for the student to acquire and employ the techniques of intellectual research and scholarship on a subject of choice, and to learn the basic skills involved in carrying out research from initial project-design to the final writing-up. The dissertation must demonstrate that you are able to pose a research question, collect relevant information in a systematic way, critically evaluate that information, and produce a well-presented and well-structured piece of writing. The process of designing, researching and presenting a completed dissertation is a 'transferable skill' that will help you in a future career and for any postgraduate academic study.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Archaeology 2A: Scotland before History (ARCA08013) AND Archaeology 2B: Archaeology in Action (ARCA08012)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements This course is not available to students on the BA Humanities and Social Science.
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  34
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 400 ( Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 6, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 386 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) dissertation of 12,000 words
Feedback Students have meetings with their dissertation supervisor whilst working on their dissertation and this allows them to discuss progress and receive feedback. Written feedback on the final submitted dissertation is made available to students after the Exam Boards.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. research a project through relevant study, consultation and original research
  2. produce a substantial written work on a set theme within prescribed parameters
  3. demonstrate the ability to carry out independent research
  4. exercise critical skills in collection and interpretation of written sourses and material evidence
  5. show initiative in the presentation of Archaeological evidence through illustrations and other graphical meams
Reading List
Stella Cottrell The Study Skills Handbook (2nd ed, Basingstoke: Palgrave 2003),
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information The dissertation represents 200 hours of private study, supported by meetings with the dissertation supervisor.
Your own time-management and planning will be especially important during semester 2 as you will be expected to arrange regular meetings with your Supervisor - it is your responsibility to arrange and attend appointments, the supervisor will keep an informal record.
You should provide your Supervisor with samples of written work to comment on, and these drafts must be submitted at least one week in advance of an appointment.
You should complete a final draft well in advance of the submission date. Do not underestimate the amount of time that will be taken up by reading and revising the text, checking for typing and spelling errors, and preparing illustrations.
KeywordsArch Dissertation
Contacts
Course organiserDr Guillaume Robin
Tel: (0131 6)50 9963
Email: guillaume.robin@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Claire Brown
Tel: (0131 6)50 3582
Email: cbrown20@exseed.ed.ac.uk
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