Certificate Level 1
Certificate Level 1
Introduction to Archaeology:
Aims, Methods and Techniques (120 credits)
Dates --- Application --- Reference Form --- Diploma (Level 2) --- Degree (Level 3) --- Continuing Education
Course Directors
Year 1 - Paul Driscoll
Year 2 - Paul Tubb
Requirements
No previous qualifications are required for entry at Certificate Level 1, but all applicants are interviewed. Please contact Christine Eickelmann at c.e.eickelmann@bris.ac.uk if you have any queries.
Description
The Level 1 Certificate course is designed to introduce you to the aims, methods and techniques of archaeology as it is practised today.
Year 1:
In Year 1, students will receive a basic introduction to the history and development of British archaeology, from 'antiquarianism' to the development of the modern theoretical base. It will outline the developments and chronological sequence from the Palaeolithic to the Post-Medieval periods. The course will concentrate upon basic non-intrusive methods of recording and investigating archaeological sites, and students will be introduced to basic field survey. The fieldtrips associated with the course will give students an opportunity to visit sites where some of the methods and techniques have been successfully utilised.
Year 2:
In Year 2, students will be introduced to intrusive archaeological techniques, including project design, excavation and recording. Students will be introduced to landscape archaeology and the historical and documentary sources that are required to interpret sites and landscapes; they will be trained in basic fieldwork techniques, such as surveying and geophysical survey. Students will be introduced to the problems of archaeology and planning (PPS 5), together with the organisation and structure of government and professional bodies.
Teaching Programme
All courses are taught on one weekend per month during the academic year from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Each weekend consists of lectures on Saturdays in the Department of Archaeology, with fieldtrips on Sundays. These study sessions are an integral part of the course and students are required to attend at least 80% of them and to complete a field log book. Transport to field visits is in shared cars.
There are individual tutorials in each teaching block, together with essay workshops as appropriate. There will be supervised study while students work on their essays. The course requires students to set aside sufficient time to read the necessary background literature.
Additional guest lecturers will feature in the programme.
Each year, students are assessed on three essays, an interpretative exercise, and their field notebook. The Certificate is awarded on the basis of each student having achieved a minimum standard overall mark for the course work. The mark does not count towards the final degree.
Further Study
Upon successful completion of the Certificate, students are invited to continue through the following levels: