This course offers students on the MSc Material Culture & Artefact Studies programme the opportunity to develop their research and professional skills on an internal university-based project or with an external partner organisation (arranged by student). Working to an initial brief designed by students in collaboration with supervisory staff or with a partner organisation, students will undertake independent research and critically reflect on the development of the project output.

2-hour tutorial as scheduled on MyCampus.

Individual supervision meetings will be arranged with all students totalling 7 hours.

Students are normally expected to undertake the equivalent of 2 days of applied professional activities a week for 10 weeks between May and August, as agreed between student, supervisor, and/or a partner organisation (where applicable).

ARCH5007P - Archaeology Dissertation

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Project Output (e.g. catalogue, database, report/journal article, exhibition, digital output, public engagement activity) - 60%

■ 3000-5000 word critical reflection - 40%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the project output, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There is no alternative to the critical reflection, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ Provide students with the opportunity to undertake extensive, detailed research on aspects of professional material culture/heritage practice

■ Enable students to develop and test their independent ideas based on experiences from their taught courses;

■ Develop students' abilities in writing research based reports;

■ Enhance opportunities to co-design research objectives, identify appropriate methods, conduct and report on material culture and artefact analysis with in a variety of settings;

■ Offer students opportunities to develop professional practice, to explore potential future career paths and to begin to establish a profile within the profession.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Conduct, analyse and present research appropriately and effectively;

■ Think critically and analytically;

■ Integrate learning and practice from their taught courses with their own ideas;

■ Work to a project brief in a professional and timely manner;

■ Work collaboratively with different academic partners to identify research priorities and approaches to material culture collections and assemblages;

■ Conduct and report on the results of research in ways that enhance the value of the studied material.