Short course
Archaeology: An Introduction
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
20/01/2027 - 24/03/202710:30 - 12:30
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
Have you always wanted to know more about archaeology? Get started on the key concepts and methods of modern archaeology, with this comprehensive introduction for beginners.
This course provides an overview of the fundamental techniques of archaeology. Through lectures, students will learn about survey techniques such as walking surveys, geophysics and aerial photography, through to excavation strategies, aspects of archaeological preservation and the analysis of finds and other materials following excavation. The course also introduces basic theoretical concepts of archaeological interpretation.
During generous discussion sessions, students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, including but not limited to finds sorting and the interpretation of geophysical surveys. Students will also be introduced to online resources for archaeological research so that they can get started on their own projects and further study.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Courses starts Wednesday 20 January 2027
Week 1: Introducing archaeology: the modern profession
Week 2: Finding archaeology on the internet without Wikipedia
Week 3: Field survey: how to set up a walking survey
Week 4: Field survey: geophysics and aerial photography
Week 5: Field trip to the Rollright Stones, Chipping Norton
Week 6: Excavation techniques and outcomes
Week 7: Conditions of site preservation
Week 8: Finds in post-excavation
Week 9: Science in archaeology: dating, DNA and isotopes
Week 10: Interpretation in archaeology
Course aims
This course aims to enable participants to develop an understanding of a range of archaeological field and laboratory methods and to explore their application in archaeological investigation and interpretation.
Course objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will have been given the opportunity to:
- develop an understanding of the stages of an archaeological project, from data gathering and analysis to interpretation and reporting
- explore a range of archaeological field and laboratory methods and consider their suitability for different research questions and applications
- engage with site reports and other primary sources of archaeological information and develop skills in their interpretation and critical evaluation
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to:
1. demonstrate familiarity with basic archaeological fieldwork and finds methods;
2. demonstrate insight into the development of the discipline of archaeology;
3. demonstrate understanding of the application of fieldwork to problem-solving in archaeology, through reading.
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Teaching methods
A combination of lectures, discussion, and hands-on practicals. Online searches will be demonstrated in class, for students to practice at home. An in-person site visit will be used to illustrate approaches to field archaeology. Hands-on practicals will introduce students to finds identification and field data recording.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Assessment
You will be set two or more pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece or pieces of work, totalling 1,500 words, due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Dr Helen Loney
Helen Loney is a European Prehistorian specializing in craft organization and ceramic technology. Though completing her Ph.D. on Italian Bronze Age ceramics, Helen also has research interests in Iron Age and Romano-British settlement archaeology as well as Industrial Archaeology.
Academic credit
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)
Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.
Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.
Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.
Digital certificate of completion
Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee (with no assessment) | £315.00 |
| Assessment and Accreditation fee | £60.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Recommended reading
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Availability of titles on the reading list (below) can be checked on SOLO, the library catalogue.
Preparatory reading
- Archaeology: theories, methods and practice / Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn
Module code: O26P435AHW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.
How to register for accreditation and assessment
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.