CENTRE FOR LIFELONG LEARNING - SCOTTISH ARCHAEOLOGY

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

Introduction to Scottish Archaeology

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Satisfactory completion of this course is compulsory for the Certificate/Diploma and Degree in Scottish Archaeology

Overview

This course provides a chronological review, from the Palaeolithic to the early Iron Age, of sites and artefacts in Scotland North of the Forth-Clyde line. Against the background of the changing environment, it covers the development of Mesolithic hunter-gatherer societies after the end of the Ice Age, the arrival of farming and monuments in the Neolithic, and the impact of Bronze Age and Iron Age technologies on society. It also considers the evidence for the arrival of Celtic speakers and an examination of how sites may appear and survive in different land use regimes. Emphasis will be placed on changing interpretations of the major types of site. A field excursion will introduce training in identifying sites of different types.

Structure

6 One and a half hour video conference lecture/tutorial sessions and one full day excursion.
Exercises in the course workbook
Field work and directed learning

Assessment

Continuous assessment: One essay (1200 words), one field trip report (1200 words plus diagrams)(60%)
One end of course assessment (40%)


One paper equivalent to the end of course assessment

Formative Assessment

Tutorials involve an element of group discussion of questions posed in the course workbook. These discussions enable students to test their knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Feedback

As the course is delivered flexibly, and many students are not present in person, most formative feedback is done by e mail exchanges with the course tutor or programme co-ordinator.
Feedback on summative assessments is provided on Assignment Feedback Forms. One copy of these is retained in the Centre, the other is returned to the student with a copy of the work submitted. These forms give feedback (on a scale of 1 - 5) for Focus on topic, Content, Argument, Structure, Use of learning resources, Referencing & quotations, Language skills, presentation and use of visuals as well as having a section where students are told how they might have improved. The schedule for feedback is such that students have summative feedback before they need to submit their next piece of work.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

KL 105B / KL 155B Archaeological Fieldwork Portfolio 1.

Notes

This course is available in session 2009/10 in the first half-session as KL 205K.

Overview

The course supports students in preparing for the submission of a portfolio based on attendance at one or more archaeological projects. The portfolio topic and the specific project(s) on which the portfolio is based must be approved in advance by the course tutor, and approval will depend on the portfolio proposed being clearly distinct from any work submitted for any previous fieldwork portfolio course. In the portfolio submitted, students will be expected to demonstrate competence in recording techniques by including illustrations of finds, plans and photographs, as well as a critique of the projects which have been attended. The seminars which support the course are designed to enable students to display in their portfolio work more advanced presentation and editorial skills.

Structure

4 fortnightly classes of one-and-a-half-hours – times may vary.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Fieldwork Portfolio (100%).

Resit: Resubmission of portfolio following review and rewriting (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

20 credit points from Archaeology or Scottish Cultural Studies programmes of courses.

Notes

This course is available in the second half-session of 2010/11 as KL 255M.

Overview

The course explores the nature of the archaeological heritage resource and the framework for its protection and management in local areas of northern Scotland. Different types of heritage presentation will then be examined through case study and study visits chosen to:- a) encourage wider understanding of the issues affecting the preservation of the archaeological heritage and those of conservation versus access; b) explore how heritage sites and collections can enhance intellectual access by recreational visits and contribute to a locality’s economy and tourist potential. Students will be encouraged to undertake directed study projects on topics relating to heritage sites or museum collections in their local area. The sites visited and studied will be determined by the locality where the course is taught.

Structure

6 fortnightly classes of one-and-a-half-hours – times may vary. Private study with learning support materials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (40%) and in-course assessment (60%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (40%) and in-course assessment (60%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

Students with no Archaeological background are advised to attend KL 1059 / KL 1559 or KL 1059 / KL 1558.

Notes

This course is available in session 2009/10 in the first half-session as KL 205R.

Overview

This course covers the period from the late Iron Age up to and including modern industrial archaeology. The first part of the course provides a chronological review of the types of sites to be found in Scotland from the BC/AD transition to the 20th Century and includes a study of how sites may appear and survive in different land use regimes. The second part of the course consists of practical field training in identifying sites of different types.

Structure

6 fortnightly classes of one-and-a-half-hours – times may vary. Private study with learning support materials and a full-day excursion.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination paper (40%) and 1 assignment (60%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination paper (40%) and 1 assignment (60%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

KL 205K / KL 255K Archaeological Fieldwork Portfolio 2.

Notes

This course is available in session 2010/11 in the first half-session as KL 3052.

Overview

The course supports students in preparing for the submission of a portfolio based on attendance at one or more archaeological projects – these can be field or museum based. The portfolio topic and the specific project(s) on which the portfolio is based must be approved in advance by the course tutor, and approval will depend on the portfolio proposed being clearly distinct from any work submitted for any previous fieldwork portfolio course. In the Portfolio submitted, students will be expected to demonstrate competence in recording techniques by including illustrations of finds, plans and photographs, as well as a critique of the projects which have been attended. The seminars which support the course are designed to enable students to display in their portfolio work more advanced presentation and editorial skills than was required for Fieldwork Portfolio 2.

Structure

4 fortnightly classes of one-and-a-half-hours – times may vary.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Fieldwork Portfolio (100%).

Resit: Fieldwork Portfolio (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

240 credit points from courses in Scottish Archaeology or Scottish Cultural Studies of which 60 credit points must be at level 2 or above and include KL 3050 / KL 3550 Archaeological Theory.

Notes

This course is available in session 2010/11 in the second half-session as KL 3553.

Overview

The course will begin with guidance on developing an archaeology dissertation proposal, on keeping a research diary, on using a word processor for organising notes and producing drafts, on referencing, on the preparation and presentation of maps, illustrations and diagrams in dissertations and on writing dissertations. Subsequent group sessions will enable students to share and discuss dissertation proposals and to assist each other in developing draft plans. Individual tutorials are given at the following stages: following the submission of the initial outline dissertation proposal and following the submission of the final detailed plan.

Structure

4 fortnightly classes of one-and-a-half-hours and 2 individual supervision tutorials – times may vary.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 3 assignments of which one will be the agreed Dissertation Proposal (100%).

Resit: 3 assignments of which one will be the agreed Dissertation Proposal (100%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

40 credit points in Archaeology courses from the Scottish Archaeology or Scottish Cultural Studies programmes of courses.

Notes

This course will be available in the first half-session of 2010/11 as KL 3058.

Overview

This course will explore the nature of the saga, both as history and as literature, in dealing with the founding of the Norse earldom; Earl Sigard and, Earl Thorfin, and the extent of Norse power in Scotland; the introduction of Christianity; Saint Magnus’ Sainthood; Saint Rognvald and Orkney’s 12th century Renaissance; Sweyn Asleiffson; Harald Maddadsson and relations with Scotland and Norway. It will also investigate Norse institutions and the nature of Norse society in saga times. Emphasis is placed on the student developing skills in handling the saga and other sources in a critical way.

Structure

6 fortnightly classes of one-and-a-half-hours – times may vary. Private study with learning support materials.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination paper (40%) and in-course assessment (60%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination paper (40%) and in-course assessment (60%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

30 credits at level 2.

Notes

This course will be available in the second half-session of 2010/11 as KL 355F.

Overview

1. Background: definition 'what is the Mesolithic and when', Palaeoenvironment, Sea level change around Scotland, Ice Age Scotland, Doggerland, Palaeolithic


2. Nature of the Mesolithic: Nomadic hunter-gatherers, Definition of mobility, Problems of recognition/interpretation of mobility, Problems with the evidence-material culture geared to mobility - Scotland's acid soils, Lack of Monumentality


3. Types of Evidence: Lithic scatters, Midden sites, Key sites - names, locations, key info (or refs to publications), Finds - broad sweep of material culture found, Key find types, What is not found


4. Types of Analysis: Site analysis - post holes and pits, Patterns of finds on site, Patterns of sites - predictive modelling, Find analysis - lithic raw materials, lithic typology, use wear, residues on stone and bone, technology of bone, worked shell, experimental work, Palaeoenvironmental analysis - pollen, charcoal etc, Bones - isotopes for diet, population movement, Place of ethnography


5. Interpretation: Structures, Death, Food, Role of middens - are they all the same, common or garden, the Obanain question, Importance of coastal resources - perceptual or real, Role of Inland settlement, Role of economic analysis, Role of social analysis


6. Mesolithic Retrospect: Where from - tanged points, broad blade microliths, Doggerland, Where to - the impact of the Neolithic, change in economy, change in lifestyle, burial, diet, Why adopt farming, Contribution of the Mesolithic to the Neolithic, Contribution of the Mesolithic to our lifestyles today

Structure

6 one and a half hour seminar workshops fortnightly and directed study.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (40%) and continuous assessment (60%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

KL 3052 / KL 3552 Archaeological Fieldwork Portfolio 3 and KL 3050 / KL 3550 Archaeological Theory.

Notes

This course is available in session 2009/10 in the first half-session as KL 4051.

Overview

The course supports students in preparing for the submission of a portfolio based on attendance at one or more archaeological projects – these can be field or museum based. The portfolio topic and the specific project(s) on which the portfolio is based must be approved in advance by the course tutor. Approval will depend on the portfolio proposed being clearly distinct from any work submitted for any previous fieldwork portfolio course. Building on Portfolios 2 and 3, Portfolio 4 will put more emphasis on a critical appreciation of the nature of archaeological fieldwork. Students will be expected to consider a fieldwork project within the broader framework of the history and theory of archaeology, discuss the roles of participants in the project and consider alternative approaches to fieldwork methodologies.

Structure

4 fortnightly classes of one-and-a-half-hours – times may vary.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Fieldwork Portfolio (100%).

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Mr D Paterson

Pre-requisites

240 credit points from courses in Scottish Archaeology or Scottish Cultural Studies of which 60 credit points must be at level 2 or above and include KL 3050 / KL 3550 Archaeological Theory and KL 3053 / KL 3553 Archaeology Dissertation: Introduction.

Notes

This course is available in session 2009/10 in the first half-session as KL 4054.

Overview

This course will enable students to apply the guidance they received and skills they developed in Archaeology Dissertation: Introduction. Group sessions will enable students to share and review research work carried out over the summer, to assist each other in developing preliminary drafts of their dissertations, to develop editing skills and to provide training in oral presentation of research work. Individual tutorials are given to review the dissertation plan following research work carried out over the summer, and the review critically the preliminary draft of the dissertation.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Dissertation (100%).