Archaeology and Heritage Practice MA

This provides an archaeology and heritage-specific Master's level research skills and methods module, affording students the necessary tools for Master’s level research in archaeology and heritage. Students gain the opportunity to explore a range of skills and build on their existing knowledge and expertise, including how to identify relevant resources, how to appraise and critique research publications, and how to construct and analyse archaeological evidence. Students can opt to gain more detailed experience in those skills they wish to enhance most.

• Enable students to acquire an understanding of research methods, presentation and study skills relevant to the disciplines of archaeology and heritage.
• Enable students to acquire an independent approach to developing their research methods and skills, including the effective use of research facilities and sources.
• Enable students to select and apply appropriate methodologies for different types of research questions and to make informed judgements in the absence of complete data or evidence.

Drawing on current research in heritage studies and contemporary archaeology, this module explores heritage concepts and interpretation and the definitions and management of the archaeological heritage in the contemporary cultural, socio-economic and political climate of the British Isles. The module also covers key issues in the archaeological study of contemporary society and the interaction of archaeological thinking, methods and practice with contemporary popular culture.

• Enable students to acquire an understanding of debates in heritage theory over recent decades and how this relates to current practices within archaeological heritage.
• Introduce students to the wide variety of sources and materials available for the study of archaeological heritage.
• Enable students to critically appraise the interpretation of heritage through the utilisation of material culture.
• Familiarise students with the range of current practices within archaeological heritage management.

Each student researches and writes a 4000-word research essay.  The topic and title is negotiated between the student and the supervising tutor; tutor approval of the topic and title is an essential requirement.  The research essay is based upon guided, but largely independent, research and upon substantial use of a range of primary source materials.  

For the MA Archaeology & Heritage Practice, the research essay will involve research into heritage practice, archaeological heritage and the archaeology of the contemporary past. 

For the MA Archaeology of Death and Memory, the research essay will involve research into the cognate fields of mortuary archaeology, archaeologies of memory and the archaeology of the body.   

For the MA Archaeology and the MA History, the focus of the essay will be on an aspect of the past that relates to the Department’s specialisms. For the MA in Past Landscapes and Environments, students will complete a research essay into an element of environmental, landscape or urban history / archaeology.

Finally, the research essay for the MA in War, Conflict and Society will involve research into an aspect of the social history of war and/or conflict.

The module is intended as an alternative to HI7329 for those wishing to graduate with a PG diploma rather than the Master's degree.

• To enable students to pursue selected topics in depth via independent research.
• To familiarise students with the range of sources/texts/material available for the study of their selected research essay topic.
• To enable students to explore and critically examine the nature and characteristics of their selected research essay topic.

The module explores the rich interdisciplinary and growing research field of ‘the archaeology of memory’ in relation to landscapes. The module draws on case studies worldwide from different periods and places to illustrate current debates on the roles of material culture, monuments and landscapes in the creation and recreation of the past in the past.

• Introduce students to the principal approaches and perspectives in memory studies and links between landscape and commemoration.
• Introduce students to key case studies in the archaeology of memory and landscapes.
• Enable students to critique theories and methods in the study of memory in past societies.
• Enable students to develop an innovative PhD proposal or carry out soundly-based work.

Each student researches and writes a 16,000-word dissertation.  The topic and title is negotiated between the student and the supervising tutor; tutor approval of the topic and title is an essential requirement.  The research dissertation is based upon guided but largely independent research and upon substantial use of a range of primary source materials.  For the MA Archaeology and Heritage Practice, the dissertation will involve research into heritage practice, archaeological heritage and the archaeology of the contemporary past.  For the MA Archaeology of Death and Memory, the research dissertation will involve research into the cognate fields of mortuary archaeology,  archaeologies of memory and the archaeology of the body.  For the MA in Past Landscapes and Environments, students will complete a dissertation into an element of environmental, landscape or urban history / archaeology.              

• To enable students to pursue selected topics in depth via independent research.
• To familiarise students with the range of sources/texts/material available for the study of their selected dissertation topic.
• To enable students to explore and critically examine the nature and characteristics of their selected dissertation topic

Drawing on current research this module explores theoretical and practical debates in the practice of public archaeology. In doing so the module links to relevant, historic and current political and social movements in both the U.K. and U.S. and covers key issues associated with public participation in archaeology including community archaeology; the practice and ethics of volunteering in archaeology; the creation of, and access to, archaeological information; archaeology and social benefit. 

• Enable students to demonstrate a complex understanding of the history of public archaeology and how this has shaped public archaeology today.
• Enable students to select and apply a wide variety of sources and materials available for the study and practice of public archaeology.
• Enable students to critically assess a range of current practices and projects within public archaeology.
• Enable students to critically appraise theoretical and practical approaches to public archaeology.

The focus of the module is on experiential learning, current trends in archaeology and heritage communication scholarship and practice, continuing professional development and reflection. To achieve this, the module provides a foundation on key issues, theoretical and practical, surrounding the communication and dissemination of archaeological heritage.  It is grounded in a practical experience delivering and/or creating dissemination media or activities, such as educational resources, publicly accessible guides or documents  and reflecting on this experience in light of current academic scholarship, legislation and theoretical approaches to archaeological heritage management. Students will be exposed to current issues in heritage communication and public engagement by examining case studies including examples from our network of local and regional heritage partners. Students will also engage with experiential learning via mini-placement or work shadowing opportunity related to the communication and dissemination of heritage information.  Placements are designed to be flexible to student needs and may include, for example, arrangements organised by the Department or by the student as well as digital placements. The module involves a range of student-led learning exercises through problem-solving and discussion groups focused on key themes. 

• provide students with the background, experience and skills to critically evaluate scholarship and practice in relation to the communication and dissemination of archaeology and heritage. 
• allow and enable students to critically deploy knowledge of current scholarship relating to the dissemination of archaeology and heritage and foster a critical, open, questioning approach to reflection, self-awareness and action planning using a range of methodologies and literature.