Undergraduate Course: Archaeology in Practice: I. Professional Practice (ARCA10107)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | How is Archaeology practiced and communicated in different professional spheres? What career options are available in Archaeology after university? This course aims to increase student understanding and experience of: 1) heritage management and legislation in the UK; 2) the contemporary practice of, and issues relating to, Archaeology; 3) skills they can develop and apply to support their career progression. |
| Course description |
'Archaeology in Professional Practice' aims to develop student understanding and experience of heritage management and legislation in the UK as well as contemporary practice and issues of Archaeology through a range of talks by visiting professionals from outside the University.
Students will gain first-hand insight into the day-to-day operations and decision-making processes that shape this dynamic discipline from guest lecturers experienced in areas such as applied archaeology, heritage management, museum curatorial practice, and public outreach. The course develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills by engaging students with real-world scenarios and ethical considerations in archaeology.
The course also aims to provide a wider understanding of the various roles and activities of professional archaeologists, to highlight career pathways to these sectors. It seeks to develop employability skills within the cohort, to enable students to develop understanding of career development, different pathways, and CV preparation. This ensures that students not only learn about the practices of, and policies shaping, contemporary Archaeology, but are also prepared to plan and take the next steps in their careers.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 5,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 7,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
86 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Coursework
2,000 words Public Archaeology Project (100%) |
| Feedback |
Students are expected to discuss their coursework with the Course Organiser at least once prior to submission, and are encouraged to do so more often. Meetings can take place with the Course Organiser during their published office hours or by appointment. Students will also receive feedback on their coursework, and will have the opportunity to discuss that feedback further with the Course Organiser. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- critically analyze and apply concepts related to contemporary practices in archaeology, highlighting real-world applications and challenges (SFS: critical thinking, adaptivity).
- demonstrate knowledge of and evaluate various approaches to heritage management, including legislation and policy implications in the UK context (SFS: curiosity, critical thinking).
- identify and critically assess ethical considerations and conflicts in the practice of archaeology, utilizing case studies and current industry standards (SFS: inclusivity, reflection).
- demonstrate the ability to articulate the significance of archaeology to society, discussing its contributions to the general public and community engagement (SFS: communication, inclusivity).
- develop and demonstrate employability skills by engaging in group learning activities and creating professional documents such as CVs and project proposals (SFS: communication, collaboration, problem-solving, individuality).
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Reading List
- Barker A W 2010, Exhibiting Archaeology: Archaeology and Museums. Annual Review of Anthropology 39: 293-308. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.anthro.012809.105115
- Hunter J and Ralston I (eds) 2006, Archaeological Resource Management in the UK, an introduction (2nd ed.). Alan Sutton; Stroud.
- Lorenzon M and Zermani I 2016, Common Ground: Community Archaeology in Egypt, Interaction Between Population and Cultural Heritage. Journal of Community Archaeology & Heritage 3: 183-199. https://doi.org/10.1080/20518196.2016.1207833
- Moshenska G 2017 (ed), Key concepts in public archaeology. London; UCL press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1vxm8r7
- Moshenska G and Dhanjal S 2011, Community Archaeology: Themes, Methods and Practices. Oxford, Oxbow Books. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvh1dn3q
- Nevell M and Redhead N (eds) 2015, Archaeology for All: Community Archaeology in the Early 21st Century: Participation, Practice, and Impact. Salford: University of Salford.
- Schofield J, Carmen J and Belford P 2011, Archaeological Practice in Great Britain: A Heritage Handbook. New York, Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-0-387-09453-3
- Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee 2016, Scotland's Archaeology Strategy (1st ed.). Available at: https://archaeologystrategy.scot/
- Skeates R, McDavid C and Carman J (eds) 2012, The Oxford Handbook of Public Archaeology. Oxford; Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199237821.001.0001
- Taylor K and Verdini G 2022, Management Planning for Cultural Heritage. Place and their Significance. Routledge: Abingdon, UK; New York, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315718484
- Tully G 2007, Community archaeology: general methods and standards of practice. Public Archaeology 6: 155-187. https://doi.org/10.1179/175355307X243645 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
SFSs embedded in the course learning outcomes
This is a compulsory third-year course specifically aimed at professional practices, as such it engages almost all of the listed skills in different ways through the course learning and the outcomes (while the course will not be working directly with data and digital literacy, these skills will be highlighted in the context of employability; there are other avenues in the archaeology degree for students to directly build their data and digital skills). The skills listed are embedded in the learning outcomes as colleagues are coming from external sectors and will communicate to the students how these skills are required and mobilised in different professional sectors. In addition, many of these skills will be actively applied by and brought out in students as they engage with materials and debates in the classes.
SFSs surfaced through teaching and learning activities
Seminar readings, discussions and activities will in particular surface the skills of critical thinking, problem solving, curiosity, communication and reflection. This will be achieved, for example, through exploring contemporary practices and scenarios, such as ethical considerations and conflicts in archaeology and heritage management, and the careers workshop (see indicative schedule).
SFSs assessed in either formative or summative assignments
Many of the same skills will also be assessed in the summative assessment (critical thinking; problem solving; curiosity; communication; reflection; inclusivity). The Public Archaeology Project assignment is designed to demonstrate the completion, and connected understanding, of the course's learning outcomes. It will take the form of a mock proposal for a public archaeology project, providing a rational for the content and scope of the programme. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Robin Bendrey
Tel: (0131 6)50 9110
Email: Robin.Bendrey@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Claire Brown
Tel: (0131 6)50 3582
Email: cbrown20@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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