Unit information: Independent Study in 2018/19

Unit name	Independent Study
Unit code	ARCH20062
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Hodos Lucas
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit provides a structured and supervised opportunity for students to pursue an independent research project to develop a focused understanding of the archaeological and historical development of a region not already covered by the curriculum. Regions could include Athens and its environs, or Rome and its environs, for example, but are not limited to them. Students work with a supervisor to identify an aspect of critical analysis, to determine appropriate research methods, formulate an argument and structure an effective portfolio. Some travel bursaries are available to allow and support specific site visits.

Unit Aims: To introduce students to the study of

• The material culture and the built environment of an area or region of the student’s choice
• The relationship between archaeological sites and their environment
• The diachronic change in individual sites and across wider regions
• The comparison between textual and archaeological evidence

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. interpret archaeological remains in context (site; environment; museum);
2. compare and contrast textual and archaeological evidence;
3. formulate appropriate research questions and concerns;
4. determine appropriate methodologies for exploring these questions;
5. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of primary and secondary sources relevant to the topic of research;
6. gather, organise and use information in a well-formulated argument, articulate and structure points effectively in written form, and support ideas with appropriate referencing.

Teaching Information

6 x 1hr meetings with academic supervisor

Appropriate site visits

Assessment Information

One 5000-word portfolio (100%). Assesses ILOs 1-6

Reading and References

Reading and references will be provided individually according to the agreed project.