Programme Specification1
1. Programme Title:
MLitt in Aerial Photography and Geophysical Survey in Archaeology
2. Final Award and SCQF level and credits:
MLitt (SCQF level 11); 180 credits
3. Awarding Institution:
University of Glasgow
4. Teaching Institution (if different): 5. Faculty:
Arts
6. Department:
Archaeology
7. Programme accredited by: 8. UCAS Code: 9. Entrance requirements:
Not applicable Normally an upper-second class Honours degree in Archaeology or other relevant discipline (geography, geology, history, environmental science, physics); or other appropriate qualification; or suitable practical experience. Please refer to the current graduate prospectus at: http://www.gla.ac.uk:443/studying/pg/prospectus/index.cfm
1
This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course can be found in course handbooks and other programme documentation and online at http://www.gla.ac.uk The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed periodically by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
10. Programme aims
This programme offers a detailed introduction to two fundamental survey techniques widely employed in archaeology: aerial photography, the single most important technique for the discovery of new archaeological sites and the appreciation of their broader landscape setting; and geophysical survey, an increasingly sophisticated non-destructive method of indicating the archaeological potential of sites and their environs by revealing plan detail. This unique programme of study has a strong practical content and focuses on the principles, methods and applications of aerial photography and geophysical survey in archaeology. It combines Glasgow’s general expertise in aerial photography, geophysical survey and computing within the Department of Archaeology with that in photogrammetry in the Department of Geographical and Earth Sciences, and the practical and professional aerial photographic skills of the staff of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) in Edinburgh. The programme aims to prepare students for participation on both a practical and theoretical level in the field of remote sensing in archaeology, also providing promising students with the appropriate training to embark on a PhD in this subject area. The specific aims of the programme are: • • • • • •
To familiarise students with the theory and principles of archaeological aerial photography and geophysical survey. To develop an appreciation of the value and potential application of aerial photography and geophysical survey in archaeology. To experience the major aspects of the practical aerial photographic work of RCAHMS, from acquisition to curation. To provide students with the necessary practical skills to undertake and interpret the results from both aerial photographic and geophysical survey. To provide MLitt students with the necessary intellectual preparation to pursue further scholarly research in this subject area. To develop academic presentation skills in a range of contexts, including written presentation in essays, reports and (for MLitt) a dissertation.
11. Intended Learning Outcomes of Programme
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas. Knowledge and Understanding • • •
understanding of the theory and principles of archaeological aerial photography and geophysical survey. appreciation of the value and potential application of aerial photography and geophysical survey in archaeology. understanding and experience of the major aspects of the practical work of RCAHMS
Skills and Other Attributes
Subject-specific/practical skills • • •
ability to undertake basic data acquisition and data manipulation in both aerial photography and geophysical survey. ability to undertake basic transcription, classification, cataloguing and interpretation of aerial photographic data using relevant software as appropriate. ability to present and interpret the results from resistivity and magnetometry survey using relevant software as appropriate. Intellectual skills • • •
development of a capacity for critical thought and competence in scholarly writing ability to formulate, articulate and sustain the study of a research question ability to assess and evaluate oral, written and graphical material and to respond appropriately to the ideas expressed or data presented
Transferable/key skills • • • • •
ability to communicate data and express ideas appropriately in writing ability to apply a range of appropriate IT resources in a suitable manner, which may include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, GIS and graphical software ability to work to clear deadlines and organise work appropriately ability to take responsibility for own work and to work in conjunction with others in the field or in a formal workplace environment ability to design, plan and execute a short research programme (MLitt only)
12. Assessment Methods
Assessment is focused on written performance and the demonstration of practical skills. Formative feedback is provided at all stages: during group activities and oral presentations, upon the return of assessed coursework, and on the submission of draft sections of projects and dissertations where appropriate. Essays All 4 core taught courses include essays which assess the student’s knowledge and understanding and at the same time enable the demonstration of a range of subject-specific, intellectual and transferable skills. Seminars All 4 core taught courses employ seminars, which provide students with the opportunity for developing experience in debating issues and demonstrating their subject-specific knowledge and understanding Practical exercise One taught course employs a practical exercise on photogrammetry to provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their practical skills in the interpretation of vertical aerial photographs Report One taught practical geophysics course is assessed by a short report to provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their practical skills in the acquisition and interpretation of geophysical data.
Portfolio The portfolio is a substantial piece of written work, in the order of c. 8,000-9,000 words with extensive accompanying illustrations, which should directly reflect the practical work undertaken during the period of placement in RCAHMS, including examples of cataloguing, the results of any flying undertaken and examples of interpretations and transcriptions of oblique aerial photographs. The portfolio enables the student to illustrate the range of practical work experienced and to demonstrate a critical awareness of the approach involved and the wider context into which it fits. Dissertation The MLitt dissertation is a substantial piece of written work in the order of 12-15, 000 words with accompanying illustrations, tables, appendices etc resulting from individual research. It can relate to any topic relevant to the degree and enables the student to undertake independent research and explore in detail a subject agreed with the course convenor.
13. Learning and Teaching Approaches
Diverse methods of teaching and learning are employed. Lectures provide basic information; practical exercises, both in the classroom and in the field, encourage the acquisition of specific skills; seminars provide students with directed reading and written assignments, through which they have the opportunity to prepare material and engage in subsequent discussion. The critical engagement required by these various activities fosters and encourages a wide range of subject-specific knowledge and skills as well as broader intellectual and transferable skills. Formative and summative assessment incorporating essays, seminar discussion and practical exercises demand that students engage with specific key topics in much greater detail, critically evaluating the work of others and formulating and sustaining academic arguments, as well as incorporating a range of key practical, intellectual and transferable skills. The Work Placement enables students to develop a range of more explicitly vocational skills associated with the acquisition, interpretation and curation of aerial photographic data. The work experience is evaluated through a Portfolio of practical work, which demonstrates a range of skills associated with report writing, data interpretation, critical evaluation, and an awareness of the ethical and professional issues surrounding work within RCAHMS. A broad range of key subject-specific skills and knowledge is addressed. The dissertation enables MLitt students to develop skills associated with formulating research questions linked to primary source materials, articulating the range of issues and concepts associated with them, and managing a sustained argument across a substantial piece of written work. This is particularly suitable for students wishing to develop specifically academic skills with a view to moving on to a research degree.
14. Relevant QAA Subject Benchmarking statements and other external or internal reference points:
There is no QAA Subject Benchmarking statement in Archaeology at Masters level at present. SCQF Level descriptors (Level 11) have been utilised in the preparation of this document.
15. Programme Structure and Features
The taught component of the MLitt course consist of four compulsory core courses, each of 20 credits, running over the first two academic terms, and a 9 week period of placement in RCAHMS in Edinburgh in term 3. This is followed by a period of self-study towards the dissertation. Term 1 A. Interpretation and Applications of Aerial Data (20 credits) B. The Principles and Practice of Aerial Archaeology (20 credits) Term 2 C. Geophysical survey: interpretation and applications (20 credits) D. Geophysical survey: theory and practice (20 credits) Term 3 E. Placement in RCAHMS (4 days per week) (40 credits) Dissertation (60 credits) The MLitt dissertation requires students to design, undertake and present a piece of original and independent archaeological research. Students will demonstrate substantial, detailed and informed firsthand knowledge of their chosen subject area, and present cogently and coherently the results of their research in a scholarly fashion, with illustrations and other documentation as appropriate. Overall length: 12000-15000 words
Possible exit points • Postgraduate Certificate: a student achieving an average of D across 60 taught credits with not less than 40 of those credits at grade D or above may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate. • Postgraduate Diploma: a student achieving an average of D across 120 taught credits with not less than 80 of those credits at grade D or above may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. • MLitt: a student achieving an average of C or more across 120 taught credits, with at least 75% of the credits higher than grade E and none below grade E, and a D or better in the dissertation, may be awarded the Masters degree. In all cases, a student who has achieved a C or better in all components, and a B or above in at least one third of the total credits will be eligible for the award with Merit. A student who has achieved a B or better in all components and an A in at least one third of the total credits will be eligible for the award with Distinction. 16.
Additional relevant information
See the Department of Archaeology website: www.gla.ac.uk/archaeology/
Date of production/revision:
7/11/06
