Archaeology: the science of investigation
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Archaeology – the science of investigation is one of a series of short, flexible 10-credit courses introducing fascinating topics in science. You'll develop an appreciation of the processes involved in the discovery, investigation and interpretation of artefacts and archaeological sites, and apply scientific techniques used in the field and laboratory. The course enables you to try out a new area of study before you commit yourself to a longer course, or top up your knowledge and skills between longer courses. It has a choice of start dates, and you decide how long to take over your studies: eight to ten weeks, or up to five months.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | SA188 |
| Credits | 10 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
Archaeology is about reconstructing the physical past to obtain an understanding of how different civilisations and cultures have developed over time. You’ll learn how scientific information can provide archaeologists with new insights into how various aspects of societies and cultures may have evolved.
You’ll achieve this by investigating a series of case studies within four main topics:
- reading the archaeological landscape
- from bog bodies, skeletons and mummies to forensic archaeology
- making sense of materials – insights into ceramics, stones, metals, food and textiles
- our archaeological heritage – protecting finds for the future.
Within each of these topics, you’ll be introduced to new scientific ideas and concepts as you need them and consider different ways of communicating the results effectively. By the end of the course, you’ll have developed a greater awareness of the role of scientific investigation in archaeology and how it provides new insights into the evolution of past cultures and societies. You’ll also develop a range of study skills associated with finding, interpreting and communicating different forms of information.
The course is based around two books: a specially written OU study book and parts of Archaeology: An Introduction by Kevin Greene. There is also an interactive DVD containing the case studies, and a website, which will link to an active archaeological dig. The study book will guide you through specific sections of the course book and DVD, and provide questions and activities to develop a range of study skills and help test your understanding and appreciation of different scientific, social and cultural aspects of archaeology. You will need to be prepared to work between the different learning resources and advice is provided on how to do this whilst managing your study time effectively.
This course has been produced in partnership with the British Museum and York Archaeological Trust.
Entry
In the course you will meet a wide range of scientific subjects and will have to be prepared to understand some basic science, e.g. biology, chemistry, geology and physics. While it is designed for people who are new to these subject areas, you will probably find that you can move faster through the course if you have a little basic knowledge of general science. However, all you really need is an interest in archaeology and the motivation to discover much more about the scientific techniques used in archaeological investigations. If you’re an amateur archaeologist, or have read popular books on the subject, you will find the course develops your understanding and introduces topics that you have not met before.
You should be able to read and understand written English of a style and complexity characteristic of a professional magazine or quality newspaper, and you should be able to communicate your thoughts clearly and comprehensibly in a written format. Mathematically you need only to be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide simple numbers. The structured teaching will take you to a level at which you are happy to use maths as a tool in a range of scientific contexts.
You can check that you have the appropriate background by trying out the interactive quiz Are you ready for science study?
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
A proportion of the course is delivered online via the website, so you will have to spend a considerable amount time using a personal computer and the internet. If you have severely impaired sight you may find the course challenging, as it relies heavily on coloured images and no written textual descriptions are available. A large proportion of the course is based on educational software, delivered on DVD-ROM. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. You may be required to draw diagrams or to annotate diagrams that you download, and then to use either a scanner or a digital camera to produce electronic versions of these diagrams for inclusion in your assessment. Alternatively creating diagrams electronically will be acceptable. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing the types of study materials outlined you are advised to talk to our Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and scientific or diagrammatic materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting your needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
OU study book, Archaeology: An Introduction by Kevin Greene, DVD-ROM of case studies, study guide, maths skills ebook, website.
You will need
A basic scientific calculator; a digital camera or scanner.
You may be required to draw diagrams or to annotate by hand diagrams that you download, and then to use either a scanner or a digital camera to produce files of these diagrams for inclusion in your assessment.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Study support
You can contact a team of expert study advisers by telephone or through an online discussion forum, and they will be able to help you with academic questions to do with the course and the assessment. There will also be an online discussion forum that you can use to get in touch with other students.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online system to submit your end-of-module assessment (EMA).
For each course presentation there is a choice of two alternative dates by which you have to submit the single piece of written work for assessment: February course start completes end of April or end of July; May start completes end of July or end of October; September start completes end of October or end of January; November start completes end of January or end of April.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2012 when it will be available for the last time. A replacement course is not planned.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | SA188 |
| Credits | 10 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
Having always had a fascination with archaeology from watching programmes such as "Time Team" and films such as "Indiana Jones". ...
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I would not have wasted good money of this course had I known in advance that there were no tutorials ...
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Course satisfaction survey
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Your questions
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Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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