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University of Cambridge: Programme Specifications Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this programme specification. Programme specifications are produced and then reviewed annually by the relevant faculty or department and revised where necessary. However, we reserve the right to withdraw, update or amend this programme specification at any time without notice. Further information about specifications and an archive of programme specifications for all awards of the University is available online at: www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/camdata/archive.html

MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN ARCHAEOLOGY 1 Awarding body University of Cambridge 2 Teaching institution University of Cambridge 3 Accreditation details None 4 Name of final award Master of Philosophy 5 Programme title Archaeology 6 JACS code(s) V400 7 Relevant QAA benchmark statement(s) None 8 Qualifications framework level 7 (Masters) 9 Date specification was produced/

last revised October 2008

10 Date specification was last reviewed July 2011

Educational aims of the programme The Department of Archaeology is the principal institution providing archaeological teaching within the University of Cambridge at the undergraduate, MPhil and PhD levels. It also draws upon the resources of several other Faculties in the University of Cambridge to support its teaching programme, including Classics, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, and Geography. The overall aim of the MPhil in Archaeology is to provide Master’s-level education in archaeology at the highest standard. This involves three goals:

• To enable students to attain a critical appreciation of archaeology, the human past, and its place in the modern world. By the end of the course, students are expected to understand the broader context and methods of archaeology, and to be able to enter a range of archaeological professions.

• To train students in a particular subject of specialisation through a coherent programme of teaching focused upon a specific topic, area, or methodology, as defined in the options defined for the course. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to pursue independent research in their field of specialisation.

• To give students training in a range of general, transferable skills, such as writing, presentation, research skills, and formulating and analysing arguments. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to exercise these skills in any professional-level work which requires them.

Entry requirements, professional progression, and indicators of quality Students are expected to enter the MPhil in Archaeology from a range of backgrounds:

• From undergraduate degrees in archaeology at the University of Cambridge or similar UK institutions

• From archaeology backgrounds at overseas universities

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• From a wide range of cognate fields such as classics, history, geology, or anthropology, with varying amounts of archaeological background

• From practical, often professional backgrounds in field archaeology, museums, or other related activities

The programme is designed to accommodate flexibly the needs of students with different backgrounds, and the mixture of students from different national, educational and professional backgrounds is a strength of the course, the heavily international mixture adding richness to the student experience. Normally a good 2.1 (in the British system), a GPA of 3.5 or above (in the North American system), or the equivalent in other systems is required for admission. In any given year, there are 20-30 students taking the MPhil in Archaeology. Except for cases where studies have been interrupted by illness, the pass rate has been 100% for the last 10 years. After the degree, employment rates are high, with less than 6% of Masters students still seeking employment in the December following graduation. A substantial proportion (typically 30-40%) of graduates go on to pursue PhD research in archaeology, often in the Department of Archaeology. To progress to PhD studies, students must achieve at least a High Pass in both the assessed component of the course and the dissertation, as well as agreeing upon a topic of research with a PhD supervisor. Learning and teaching methods, course structure, and assessment The MPhil in Archaeology is taught through lectures, seminars, practical work, and written work. The mixture of these methods varies according to the option chosen (see below) as different topics require different methods, but the common goal is to ensure that students both acquire a base of knowledge particular to their option and have the opportunity to acquire and practice professional skills in reading critically, writing, analysis and presentation.

• Lectures are designed to present and discuss the major academic disciplines covered in each module.

• Seminars are designed to provide students with intensive engagement with academic staff across a wide range of subjects relevant to the courses selected. Seminars are designed to be interactive and preparation and participation in seminars is expected of all students.

• Supervisions with module lecturers and their regular supervisor give the student the opportunity to discuss general and specific issues in the conduct of the course. A supervisor, possibly but not necessarily the same one, will also be appointed for the dissertation, to help with the choice of topic and monitor the progress of the student’s research for the dissertation throughout the year. Supervisions provide the student with an opportunity to seek academic information and advice and they provide the forum to monitor students' progress.

• Many modules also feature practical work; this can involve learning laboratory methods, gaining experience in techniques such as constructing museum exhibitions, and, frequently, working with relevant collections in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

The structure of the MPhil in Archaeology includes five elements:

1. One year-long course module which meets throughout the academic year from October through May and which is assessed through a combination of essays, practical work and examination appropriate for the topic. Marks from this module count as 15% of the student’s final mark.

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2. A second year-long course module, which counts as 15% of the student’s final mark.

3. A third year-long course module, which counts as 15% of the student’s final mark. 4. Research Skills, a module which is taken by all MPhil students in the Department of

Archaeology. This module meets in Michaelmas and Lent terms (e.g. October through March) and provides training in general skills such as formulating a research design, analysing data and making presentations. It is assessed through oral and written presentation of a research design of up to 2000 words for the student’s MPhil dissertation and is counted as 5% of the student’s final mark.

5. The dissertation, an extended piece of independent, original research. Students work with a particular supervisor to formulate a dissertation project, carry out research and write it up; typically project formulation and sometimes data acquisition are done between October and May, while the writing is done over the summer. The topic of the dissertation has to be approved by the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology Degree Committee; the dissertation is of maximum 15,000 words (including footnotes but excluding bibliography and appendices) and is due at the end of August; it counts as 50% of the student’s final mark.

Assessment for the modules varies as appropriate for the topic, but for most modules will involve a balance of approximately one-third assessed essays and two-thirds examination. Some options may involve up to 100% assessed work with no examination, particularly ones involving training in practical laboratory skills, or advanced courses where progress is better assessed though in-depth essays; in rare cases where dictated by the nature of the material (e.g. ancient languages) a module may be assessed entirely through examination. All work is double-marked and reviewed by the department’s external examiner to ensure fairness. Course options Students in the MPhil in Archaeology choose a particular course option to pursue. This provides focus in their studies, specifies a particular member of staff to mentor them (the coordinator of that option), and governs which combination of modules from the Department’s teaching repertory they put together for their MPhil study. The course option will be specified in their degree title; for instance a student pursuing the MPhil in Archaeology with specialisation in Archaeological Museums and Heritage will receive a degree certificate stating “MPhil in Archaeology (Archaeological Museums and Heritage)” and will be able to use this phrasing in their c.v. and future self-presentation. The range of course options available for the MPhil in Archaeology will change slightly from year to year, depending upon staff availability. Two lists will therefore be published annually by the Department of Archaeology, (a) the MPhil course options to be taught the following academic year, and (b) the MPhil modules to be taught the following academic year.1 Course options will normally include:

• Archaeological Heritage and Museums • Archaeological Science2 • Archaeology of the Americas • Egyptian Archaeology • European Prehistory • Medieval Archaeology • Mesopotamian Archaeology

1 A sample list of MPhil in Archaeology course options for 2010-11, giving the choice of modules specified for each one, is appended as Annexe A below. A sample list of MPhil in Archaeology modules for 2010-11is appended as Annexe B below. 2 The MPhil in Archaeology (Archaeological Science) will incur science-based fees; all other MPhil in Archaeology options will incur arts-based fees.

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• Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Archaeology • South Asian Archaeology • MPhil in Archaeology, course option not specified3

The choice of modules which students can take will depend upon the course option they choose. For example, for the Archaeological Heritage and Museums course option, three modules are specified (Sociopolitics of the Past, Museums, and Management of Archaeological Heritage). In contrast, two are specified for the Archaeological Science course option (Archaeological Science, and Practical Application of Scientific Methods); the student can choose any other MPhil module for the third module. The area-defined course options (Archaeology of the Americas, European Prehistory, Medieval Archaeology, Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Archaeology, South Asian Archaeology, and World Archaeology) require the student to take a general module on archaeological method and theory (“Core Archaeology”) and a module covering that particular area; the student can choose any other MPhil module for the third module. This allows students in most options to combine topic, area and method-oriented modules in a way tailored to their particular research interests. Full details on module choices and requirements for the normal range of course options are given in Annexe A below. The student’s choice of MPhil modules must be approved by the course option coordinator to ensure a coherent course of study. Requirements for the award of a degree Each student is required to reach the pass mark for MPhil work in the Department of Archaeology (60%) for the aggregate of all four modules taken (the three chosen ones plus Research Skills); a student may carry one failed module provided that the overall average mark for the four modules is above the pass mark. In addition, the student must reach the pass mark of 60 for the dissertation. Degrees are then classed by averaging the aggregate mark for the four modules and the dissertation as per the categories as set out in the Departmental marking and classing criteria: High Pass with Distinction: 75 and above High Pass 68 - 74 Pass 60 - 67 Fail 0 - 59 Finally, the degree is awarded in October. Students going on to PhD work who need confirmation of their MPhil degree in order to begin PhD studies are notified immediately at the beginning of October to avoid interruption to their studies. Learning support The Department, the University, and the Colleges provide students with a wide range of guidance. Each student has a Graduate Tutor in his or her college whose role is to provide any needed pastoral care and academic guidance. Within the Department, the student’s first point of contact is with the coordinator of his or her MPhil in Archaeology course option, who

3 This option is available for students coming to Cambridge who have not yet decided upon a specific option to pursue, and for students whose particular combination of interests cannot be accommodated in one of the options on offer. In the former case, it is expected that they will choose a named option to follow by the beginning of the third week of Michaelmas Term. Students choosing it initially cannot move into the MPhil in Archaeological Science, as the two have different fee structures. In the latter case, which is expected to be very infrequent, the combination of options to follow is strictly by agreement with the option coordinator and the student and coordinator should agree this before coming to Cambridge. The coordinator for this option will be the overall departmental Convenor for the MPhil in Archaeology.

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will provide academic guidance and support in meetings throughout the academic year. At the start of the course, all students receive both a complete orientation introducing them to the MPhil programme and the Department’s resources, staff and facilities and a handbook giving details of all of these. The student will also be helped both by the teaching staff for particular modules and by his or her dissertation supervisor. Beyond this, additional guidance is available from the Course Coordinator for the MPhil in Archaeology, also the MPhil Programme Director who oversees all MPhil teaching in the Department, and the Departmental Graduate Officer who is responsible for graduate affairs generally, as well as the departmental Graduate Secretary who provides support and administrative help.

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Annex A MPhil in Archaeology: Options Available

The one-year course of study in Archaeology for the degree of Master of Philosophy shall consist of three modules, the Research Skills module, and a dissertation. The three modules specified for each course option and their mode of assessment are specified below. The Research Skills module is to be assessed through one written report corresponding to the student’s presentation of his or her dissertation research design, of not more than 2000 words length. In addition to these four modules, the student shall submit a thesis of not more than 15,000 words in length, including footnotes, but excluding appendices and bibliography, on a topic approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology. Examination of the dissertation may include, at the discretion of the Examiners, an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls. In awarding the final degree, the elements shall be weighted as follows: the first three modules at 15%, Research Skills at 5%, and the dissertation at 50%. Option A. Archaeological Heritage and Museums (a) The socio-politics of the past Three-hour written examination (67%)

and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(b) Museums: history, theory, and practice Three-hour written examination (67%) and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(c) Management of archaeological heritage Two essays of not more than 4,000 words (50% each)

Option B. Archaeological Science (a) Archaeological science Three-hour written examination (67%)

and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(b) Practical application of scientific methods Two written reports upon practical projects of not more than 4,000 words (50% each)

(c) Any other module offered in the Department of Archaeology, if all necessary prerequisites are fulfilled and by consent of the instructor and the option coordinator, to be assessed through the mode of assessment specified for that module.

Option C. Archaeology (a) Core archaeology Three-hour written examination (67%)

and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(b) Any two other modules offered in the Department of Archaeology, if all necessary prerequisites are fulfilled and by consent of the instructor and the option coordinator, to be assessed through the modes of assessment specified for those modules.

Option D. Archaeology of the Americas (a) Archaeology of the Americas Three-hour written examination (67%)

and an essay of not more than 3,000

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words (33%) (b) Core archaeology Three-hour written examination (67%)

and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(c) Any other module offered in the Department of Archaeology, if all necessary prerequisites are fulfilled and by consent of the instructor and the option coordinator, to be assessed through the mode of assessment specified for that module.

Option E. Egyptian Archaeology (a) Either: Historical Archaeology of Ancient Egypt (I or II, depending upon availability)

Three-hour written examination (67%) and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

Or: Landscapes, built environment, and material culture of Ancient Egypt)

Two 4,000-word essays (each 50%)

Or: Topics in Egyptology Two 4,000-word essays (each 50%) (b) Core archaeology Three-hour written examination (67%)

and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(c) Any other module offered in the Department of Archaeology, if all necessary prerequisites are fulfilled and by consent of the instructor and the option coordinator, to be assessed through the mode of assessment specified for that module.

Option F. European Prehistory (a) European Prehistory Three-hour written examination (67%)

and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(b) Core archaeology Three-hour written examination (67%) and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(c) Any other module offered in the Department of Archaeology, if all necessary prerequisites are fulfilled and by consent of the instructor and the option coordinator, to be assessed through the mode of assessment specified for that module.

Option G. Medieval Archaeology (a) Either Medieval Europe, 5th-11th centuries AD or Medieval Europe: 11th-16th centuries AD

Three-hour written examination (67%) and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(b) Core archaeology Three-hour written examination (67%) and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(c) Any other module offered in the Department of Archaeology, if all necessary prerequisites are fulfilled and by consent of the instructor and the option coordinator, to be assessed through

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the mode of assessment specified for that module. Option H. Mesopotamian Archaeology (a) Either: The archaeology of Mesopotamia (Prehistory to early states or Territorial states to empires, depending upon availability)

Three-hour written examination (67%) and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

Or: Topics in Mesopotamian Archaeology Two essays of 4,000 words each (each 50%)

(b) Core archaeology Three-hour written examination (67%) and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(c) Any other module offered in the Department of Archaeology, if all necessary prerequisites are fulfilled and by consent of the instructor and the option coordinator, to be assessed through the mode of assessment specified for that module.

Option I. Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Archaeology (a) Palaeolithic and Mesolithic archaeology Three-hour written examination (67%)

and three essays of not more than 1,000 words each (11% each, totalling 33%)

(b) Core archaeology Three-hour written examination (67%) and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(c) Any other module offered in the Department of Archaeology, if all necessary prerequisites are fulfilled and by consent of the instructor and the option coordinator, to be assessed through the mode of assessment specified for that module.

Option J. South Asian Archaeology (a) South Asian archaeology Three-hour written examination (67%)

and three essays of not more than 1,000 words each (11% each, totalling 33%)

(b) Core archaeology Three-hour written examination (67%) and an essay of not more than 3,000 words (33%)

(c) Any other module offered in the Department of Archaeology, if all necessary prerequisites are fulfilled and by consent of the instructor and the option coordinator, to be assessed through the mode of assessment specified for that module.

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Annex B Department of Archaeology

MPhil Modules (See also http://ts.arch.cam.ac.uk/courses/?course=offered for a complete list of papers offered and links to those offered in the current academic year).

Paper Subject Course Organiser Assessment G01 Research Skills Professors Martin Jones &

Graeme Barker 2000-word research design and presentation (100%)

G02 Core archaeology Drs John Robb & Preston Miracle

Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G03 Palaeolithic and Mesolithic archaeology

Dr Preston Miracle Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G04 European prehistory Dr John Robb Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G05 Themes in European prehistory Dr John Robb Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G06 Medieval Europe: 5th-11th centuries AD

Drs James Barrett & Catherine Hills

Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G07 Medieval Europe: 11-16th centuries AD

Drs James Barrett & Catherine Hills

Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G08 Archaeology of the Americas Dr Elizabeth DeMarrais Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G09 South Asian archaeology Dr Cameron Petrie Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G10 Archaeological science Dr Charly French & Tamson O'Connell

Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G11 Material culture Dr Elizabeth DeMarrais Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G12 Directed reading Dr Elizabeth DeMarrais Two 4000 word essays (50% each)

G13 Introduction to Egyptian language Professor John Ray 100% examination G14 Advanced Egyptian language Professor John Ray 100% examination G15 Coptic Professor John Ray 100% examination G16 Demotic Professor John Ray 100% examination G17 Historical archaeology of Ancient Dr Kate Spence Examination (67%)

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Paper Subject Course Organiser Assessment Egypt I and 3000 word essay

(33%) G18 Historical archaeology of Ancient

Egypt II Dr Kate Spence Examination (67%)

and 3000 word essay (33%)

G19 Landscapes, built environment, and material culture of ancient Egypt

Dr Kate Spence Two 4000 word essays (50% each)

G20 Topics in Egyptology Dr Kate Spence Two 4000 word essays (50% each)

G21 Sumerian language and texts Dr Nicole Brisch 100% examination G22 Elementary Akkadian Language and

Texts Dr Nicole Brisch 100% examination

G23 Advanced Akkadian language and texts

Dr Nicole Brisch 100% examination

G24 Archaeology of Mesopotamia: Prehistory to early states

Dr Augusta McMahon Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G25 Archaeology of Mesopotamia: Territorial states to empires

Dr Augusta McMahon Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G26 Mesopotamian literature Dr Augusta McMahon Two 4000 word essays (50% each)

G27 Mesopotamian religion and science Dr Augusta McMahon Two 4000 word essays (50% each)

G28 Topics in Mesopotamian archaeology

Dr Augusta McMahon Two 4000 word essays (50% each)

G29 Socio-politics of the past Dr Marie Louise Sorensen Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G30 Museums: History theory, practice Drs Robin Boast & Chris Chippindale

Examination (67%) and 3000 word essay (33%)

G31 Management of archaeological heritage

Dr Marie Louise Sorensen Two 4000 word essays (50% each)

G32 Practical applications of scientific methods

Drs Charly French & Tamsin O'Connell

Two 4000-word practical reports (50% each)

Papers G17, G24 and G27 will not be offered in 2010-11. They alternate with papers G18, G25 and G26, respectively. G19 will not be offered in 2011-12